The word ‘Anthocyanin’ is nutritional jargon for “good for you”. To fully describe what anthocyanins are requires even more jargon, all of which are words also meaning “good for you”. So, if you want to skip over all the jargon filled sentences I am about to construct, then the foundational info you need to know is...

• Anthocyanins are good for you (in all of the ways!)
• New Zealand berries (including cherries!) are extra high in anthocyanins

To find out why New Zealand fruits are higher in anthocyanins, what exactly anthocyanins are, and how they are good for you, keep reading!

So, to skip straight to the jargon, anthocyanins belong to a group of compounds called polyphenols. Polyphenols are naturally produced in plants to help protect them from things like pathogens, but also from UV radiation… Can you now guess why anthocyanins are higher in NZ berries? Yup, you guessed it! The high UV levels we get in New Zealand means that our fruits need to create more polyphenols to protect themselves from the intense radiation. Kind of like creating their own sunscreen, neat ae?

 Part of what makes anthocyanins great is that they work as powerful antioxidants, neutralising those pesky free radicals that bounce around our body doing damage wherever they hit. Not only do they have antioxidant capacity, they also have anti-inflammatory effects as well! This combination naturally helps your whole body be a healthier version of itself.

If you are keen to read up on how anthocyanins can have positive effects on cancer, inflammatory disorders, neurological disorders and cardiovascular disease, then I would highly recommend reading this article: Health benefits of anthocyanins and molecular mechanisms: Update from recent decade.

Or to read up on the positive effects anthocyanins have on diabetes and eye health then you can give this review article a read: Anthocyanins and anthocyanin-rich extracts: role in diabetes and eye function 

If you want an easy way to tell which fruits are high in anthocyanins, then that is easy! Anthocyanins are responsible for the red/blue/purple hue you see in fruit, so cherries, blueberries, blackberries, plums and raspberries all contain this great compound! Try any of our juices with these berries to help increase your anthocyanin intake!

References:

Li, D., Wang, P., Luo, Y., Zhao, M., & Chen, F. (2017). Health benefits of anthocyanins and molecular mechanisms: Update from recent decade. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 57(8), 1729–1741. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2015.1030064

Ghosh D, Konishi T. (2007). Anthocyanins and anthocyanin-rich extracts: role in diabetes and eye function. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 16(2), 200-8. PMID: 17468073.