Prevent heart disease with Delphinidin

Delphinidin is a powerful anthocyanin and phytonutrient (a group of plant-based nutrients that are not essential to humans but offer numerous health benefits). It has been tentatively linked to the prevention of heart disease and various other health disorders. In this article, I’ll take a closer look at delphinidin, outlining the main health benefits and focusing on the richest food sources.

1) DISCOVERY:

Delphinidin was discovered in 1938 by Albert Szent-Gyorgyi along with the other flavonoids (a group of phytonutrients that include anthocyanins). Upon discovering flavonoids, Albert Szent-Gyorgyi believed they were vitamins and named them vitamin P. However, it was later discovered that flavonoids were not essential for humans and were not technically vitamins.

2) MAIN FUNCTIONS:

Research has shown that delphinidin is a powerful antioxidant and can protect the body’s cells from damaging free radicals (harmful by-products released during reactions involving oxygen that can contribute to the development of cancer, contribute to the development of diabetes and damage the health of the body). cells).

Early studies also suggest that delphinidin might act as an anti-inflammatory (a substance that reduces inflammation in the body), prevent atherosclerosis (a condition in which hard plaques form on artery walls), and restrict blood flow ), prevent cancer (a disease that causes cells to grow rapidly and uncontrollably), and heart disease.

3) FOOD SOURCES:

Berries are one of the best sources of delphinidin: blueberries contain 161.93 milligrams (mg) per 100 grams (g), blueberries contain 47.4 mg per 100 g, and blueberries contain 7.66 mg per 100 g. Other fruits and vegetables such as black beans (11.98 mg per 100 g), cowpeas (94.6 mg per 100 g), and brinjal (13.76 mg per 100 g) are also very good sources of this anthocyanin. .

4) DELPHINIDINE SUMMARY:

Although most of the available research on delphinidin is still tentative, the early signs are very promising. So start taking advantage of this powerful anthocyanin today and eat more berries. This will not only give you all the benefits discussed in this article, but it will also provide you with a healthy dose of other vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.

Berries are a very versatile fruit, so even if you’re not currently eating them, you can easily incorporate them into your diet. They can be mixed with yogurt to create a healthy breakfast or snack, placed in a bowl with fruit juice to create a berry-based fruit salad, or eaten on their own between meals.