All vegetables and fruits have their own color. The unique colors of food such as red, yellow, green, black, and white are attributed to phytochemicals, which are phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are a type of protective substance that plants produce to protect themselves from pathogens, pests, and microorganisms. Due to the pigment that is expressed, it not only determines the color of the food, but also gives the food its unique flavor and taste. In addition, during the process of absorption into the body when ingested, functions such as antioxidant activity and increase in immune function can also be said to be effects due to these phytochemicals.
Purple food refers to the types of food that have purple phytochemical pigments. Anthocyanin, a representative component of purple fruits and vegetables, is rich in anthocyanin, a kind of polyphenol, which is known to have an excellent effect not only in enhancing immunity, but also in anti-aging, cardiovascular disease prevention, and brain nerve protection. there is. Now, let’s take a closer look at the various types of foods that represent purple food and their effects in more detail.
Purple Food Types and Effects
1. Blueberry
The most representative food of purple food is blueberries. The powerful antioxidant action of anthocyanin, a phytochemical contained in blueberries, prevents cell damage from oxidative stress caused by free radicals, thereby preventing aging and enhancing immunity.
In addition, anthocyanins are said to be effective in preventing cardiovascular diseases because they are also involved in the maintenance of normal blood pressure and inhibition of the formation of blood clots, which is the main cause of impeding blood flow. In addition, it helps to remove harmful substances and toxins that cause cancer, thereby lowering the risk of cancer, protecting eyesight and protecting brain cells. Blueberries have been included in the Top 10 Superfoods by Time Magazine for these excellent effects.
2. Grapes
Along with blueberries, grapes, which are representative fruits of berries, have a distinctive purple color and belong to purple food. Grape contains a large amount of the anthocyanin component mentioned above, and it is said that it improves the body’s immunity with its excellent antioxidant action and slows down the aging process. In addition, grapes are rich in resveratrol, which is recognized as a powerful antioxidant, as well as anthocyanins, which are known to have beneficial effects on antioxidant activity, prevention of vascular disease, and cancer prevention. In particular, this resveratrol component is known to have a beneficial effect on the anti-aging effect because it is also involved in the activity of the SIRT1 gene, also known as the longevity gene.
3. Eggplant
Eggplant is a vegetable that is often used as an ingredient in various dishes such as stir-fry, jeon, and vegetables due to its unique soft texture. It contains a large amount of anthocyanin, a phytochemical pigment, as well as excellent antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E. In addition, eggplant has a very low caloric content of 16Kacl per 100g, and contains 94% of water, which is good for dieting.
4. Purple Sweet Potato
Purple sweet potato is a purple food that is not only consumed as a snack, but is also widely used as a cooking ingredient. Not only is it rich in beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and other nutrients contained in ordinary sweet potatoes, but it also contains anthocyanins in a high content, which is known to have beneficial effects on immune function enhancement and anti-aging. In addition, it has a high content of dietary fiber, which improves the intestinal environment and at the same time helps to improve constipation. It is known that the representative ingredient of purple sweet potato is contained in the skin, so it is said that it is a good way to eat it with the skin.
5. Red Cabbage
Red cabbage, also called red cabbage, has a distinctive purple color unlike green cabbage. It is a purple food that is used as an ingredient in hamburgers and sandwiches, or as a salad, bibimbap, and green juice. Red cabbage not only contains a large amount of anthocyanin, which has a strong advantage as a natural antioxidant, but also has a high content of vitamin C, which has excellent antioxidant power, so it is excellent for protecting the body from free radicals.
In addition, red cabbage contains a large amount of vitamin U, which can be said to be a key ingredient in ordinary cabbage, and thus protects the stomach wall from factors such as gastric acid, and at the same time promotes the production of prostaglandins, a hormone secreted by the gastric mucosa, for gastric health. It has also been known to help promote a lot. In addition, red cabbage is rich in selenium, a trace mineral that performs essential functions in the body, which is known to help the activation of liver cells and to be effective in improving liver function.
