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Kent Probst, BS, MEd
Kent Probst is the owner of Long Healthy Life Blog
Anthocyanin Benefits for Skin: What are Anthocyanins?
Anthocyanins are polyphenols that give berries such as blackberries, blueberries, acai, and elderberries their dark red, purple, and blue pigments. Scientists have discovered remarkable anthocyanin benefits for skin.
In addition to anthocyanin benefits for skin, these polyphenols are showing the ability to reduce the risk of neurological disorders and cancer, combat allergies, and reduce oxidative stress.
Everyone interested in keeping their skin youthful should look into the benefits that anthocyanins provide.
Anthocyanin Benefits for Skin: How They Help
Improved Skin Integrity
The loss of collagen is one of the effects of aging on skin. Researchers have found that pomegranate can improve skin integrity by stimulating type I procollagen synthesis.
Anthocyanin benefits for skin also come from black soybeans which have been demonstrated to stimulate wound healing.
Antioxidant Activity
One of the major causes of skin aging is UV damage from the sun. Fortunately, anthocyanins are one way to get some protection.
Topically applied anthocyanins have antioxidant properties that can inhibit skin cancer in in vivo studies.
In other studies, anthocyanins were able to prevent skin aging from UV damage in formulations that enhance their stability.
Less Inflammation
Since inflammation is associated with some types of illnesses, keeping levels of inflammation low is key to reducing the risk of disease and strengthening your immune system.
People who have higher consumption levels of anthocyanins have lower levels of biomarkers of inflammation.
Cancer Prevention
Researchers have identified the following ways anthocyanins reduce the risk of cancer:
- Free radical scavenging
- Stimulation of detoxifying enzymes
- Reduced cancer cell proliferation
- Reduced angiogenesis
Fruits with Anthocyanins
- Acai berries
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Black currants
- Cherries
- Cranberries
- Elderberries
- Pomegranates
- Grapes
- Prunes
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
Incorporating Anthocyanins into Your Diet
You have lots of choices when it comes to food rich in anthocyanins. From here, it’s just a matter of picking the fruit that you like.
Eating a variety of anthocyanin-rich fruit will ensure that you get a broad spectrum of the polyphenols.
If for some reason you’re limited to consuming a small number of these fruits, anthocyanins are also available in supplement form.
Whichever path you take, incorporating anthocyanins into your diet will benefit your skin, as well as your overall health.
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Please note that I’ve linked to these products purely because I recommend them and they are from companies I trust. There is no additional cost to you.
