The researcher from the Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana (International Iberoamerican University) (UNIB), Julio César Martínez, participates in a study that highlights the advances of science on anthocyanins, focusing on the unexpected aspects and their effects on health.
Cancer, obesity, diabetes, cognitive impairment, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory pathologies are the leading causes of disability and death in the world. Many of these diseases arise from factors such as aging, gender, and genetics; however, many of them are related to lifestyle, and nutrition is an important factor.
A diet based on high levels of refined grains, saturated fats, processed meats, salt, and sugar, but lacking in vegetables and fruits, increases the risk of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, oxidative stress, inflammation, among others.
For this reason, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends balancing daily energy intake, reducing the consumption of trans and saturated fats, salt and sugar, and increasing the consumption of vegetables and fruits.
Diets rich in plant-based foods help people maintain a healthy lifestyle and prevent many non-communicable diseases. The positive health effects of fruit and vegetable consumption are due to the presence of micronutrients, vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols, secondary plant metabolites.
One of the most important phenolic compounds are anthocyanins, which give a purple-red color to various foods such as berries, peaches, plums, red onions, purple corn, eggplants, red potatoes, grapes, plums, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, among others.
Research results
The objective of the research is to emphasize recent advances in the science of anthocyanins, focusing on some unexpected aspects such as their bioavailability, their effects on health, and their relationship with the gut microbiota.
Science suggests that a high intake of anthocyanins decreases the risk of developing non-communicable diseases, lower risk of hypertension and type 2 diabetes, as well as reducing certain types of cancers. Science also shows a possible preventive effect on cognitive disorders.
If you want to know more about this fascinating study, click here.
To read more research, check the UNIB repository.
Finally, the Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana (UNIB) offers the Master in Naturopathic Sciences.