Many naturally, purple-coloured foods contain compounds called anthocyanins, as well as influencing the colour of the food, these compounds also have benefits for health. Anthocyanins are a group of deep red, purple and blue pigments found in plants. They’re part of a larger category of plant-based chemicals called flavonoids. Flavonoids are abundant in all parts of plants. Anthocyanin-rich foods are an important part of a healthy diet. Anthocyanins are colored water-soluble pigments belonging to the phenolic group.

What are the health benefits of anthocyanins?

1. Lowers blood pressure

2. Reduces risk of heart disease

3. Prevents diabetes

4. Prevents neurological diseases

5. Slows cancer growth

The term metabolic syndrome refers to a combination of diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. The origin of metabolic syndrome includes a combination of multiple factors, such as sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet choice, and genetic factors. metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent and adversely affects the general population by elevating risk of cardiovascular complications, organ failure, and much other pathology associated with late-stage diabetes. Anthocyanins are health-promoting bioactive compounds belonging to the flavonoids subclass of polyphenols. Numerous studies have reported the potential therapeutic benefits on metabolic syndrome and diabetes from fruits rich in Anthocyanins. This review summarizes the role of several dietary Anthocyanins on preventing and managing metabolic syndrome as well as the pharmacological mechanisms and biopharmaceutical features of their action. We also discuss potential nanoformulation and encapsulation approaches that may enhance the bioeff icacy of Anthocyanins in metabolic syndrome. Experiments have demonstrated that Anthocyanins may attenuate the symptoms of metabolic syndrome via improving insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidaemia, cholesterol levels, hypertension, blood glucose, protecting β cells, and preventing free radical production.

The incidence of diabetes is dramatically increasing every year, causing a huge global burden. Moreover, existing anti-diabetic drugs inevitably bring adverse reactions, and the application of islet transplantation is often limited by the damage caused by oxidative stress after transplantation. Thus, new approaches are needed to combat the growing burden of diabetes. Anthocyanins are of great nutritional interest and have been documented that have beneficial effects on chronic diseases, including diabetes.

Epidemiological studies demonstrated that moderate intake of anthocyanins leading to a reduction in risk of diabetes. Numerous experiments both animal and clinical studies also showed positive effects of anthocyanins on prevention and treatment of diabetes and diabetic complications. These effects of anthocyanins is related to mechanisms of improving glucose and lipid metabolism and insulin resistance, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. In addition, damage and function of pancreatic islets after transplantation are also improved by anthocyanins.