Compounds in certain foods prevent age-related disorders.
Anthocyanins are a group of chemical compounds in plants that are associated with anti-aging and disease prevention. They’re commonly found in red, purple, and blue fruits and vegetables and they’re strongly associated with healthy aging. Anthocyanins modulate the gut microbiome to help prevent age-related cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and bone loss.
A 2021 review study published in Microbiome analyzes the available data on the effects of anthocyanins on disease prevention and treatment in aging populations.
Studies showed that consuming anthocyanin-rich foods may prevent age-related disease later in life, although the timing is important, with some studies showed that starting an anthocyanin-rich diet early in life may be more protective than starting later.
No matter your age, consuming anthocyanin-rich foods daily can make a difference. Here are some suggestions:
• Fruits: Black elderberries, cranberries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, cherries, black plums, blood oranges, red grapes, and pomegranates
• Vegetables: Red cabbage, red onions, red radishes, purple cauliflower, purple corn, and purple eggplant
• Legumes and rice: Black beans, black rice, and black soybeans
