Purple Food - Anti Aging - Anti Wrinkle Eating

Purple products are nature’s best weapons in the battle against ageing. There’s a saying that, ‘A plum a day keeps a facelift away

Purple food can prevent breakdown of collagen and slow the wasting of muscles.

Why are some fruits considered power fruits?

Power fruits are higher in antioxidants. Antioxidants protect plant tissue from damage from solar radiation and other environmental stressors. And when we consume that plant tissue, they protect our tissue from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are toxins produced by normal metabolism and present in other toxins such as tobacco smoke or car exhaust. So a diet higher in antioxidants protects us from these toxins and helps us stay healthier.

The so-called power fruits are red and purple fruits such as the black raspberry, pomegranate and wild blueberry. The black raspberry is supposed to have the highest level of antioxidants. Red and purple fruits get their colors from a subset of polyphenols, a potent antioxidant. And research shows that polyphenols have cancer-protective properties and can possibly lower risks of age-related illnesses and diseases.

The power fruits: black raspberry, pomegranate and wild blueberry also have an additional polyphenol and antioxidant called ellagic acid that also has heart protective effects. In the berries, the highest concentration of this antioxidant occurs in the seeds, so black raspberry-flavors or blueberry pancakes won’t provide much cancer or disease prevention. One cup of blueberries is said to provide 13,000 antioxidants.

Other berries than the power fruits carry a pretty hefty antioxidant level as well. Strawberries, blackberries and ordinary raspberries are also excellent sources of the antioxidants that protect us from free radicals. These fruits also carry high values of vitamin A (great for the immune system) and Vitamin C (also an antioxidant, and in addition aids production of collagen in tissue).

There are other foods rich in polyphenol, the antioxidant that give color to the red and purple power fruits. These foods include red wine, green tea, dark chocolate (yum!), and olive oil. And there are certainly plenty of supplements out there that promise to provide protection from free radicals as well. But only fruits and vegetables, not supplements, will give you the nutrients in the proper combinations needed for health. When you ingest fruits and vegetables, the nutrients are easily absorbed and used by the body. Supplements usually contain large doses of only one type of antioxidant, which hasn’t proved to be that effective.

Blue and purple fruits and vegetables include the following: Blackberries, Blueberries, Black currants, Dried plums, Elderberries, Purple figs, Purple grapes, Plums, Raisins, Purple asparagus, Purple cabbage, Purple carrots, Eggplant, Purple Belgian endive, Purple peppers, Potatoes (purple fleshed), and Black salsify. Blue and purple fruits and vegetables aid in the aging process, urinary tract health, memory function and contain antioxidants that are thought to prevent some cancers. The phytochemicals anthocyanins and phenolics in blue and purple fruits and vegetables are thought to have anti-aging benefits.

Plums, Purple onions and cabbage have all the benefits of white onions and green cabbage (see the white and green pages for details) but also a little added benefit of another phytochemical that acts as an antioxidant and can also improve memory. This phytochemical is what gives the purple color! Plums also contain this great phytochemical.

Other purple fruits and vegetables contain ytochemicals which can protect against cancer, improve memory and keep your heart healthy.