Purchase Solution

Anthocyanins

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

What is the anthocyanin? What is the significance research for anthocyanin? Please paraphrase and add a journal reference.

Purchase this Solution

Solution Summary

The solution provides a brief overview of anthocyanins and current research that is being done with these molecules, including possible health benefits that they provide to humans.

Solution Preview

Anthocyanins: Anthocyanins are colorful pigments that occur naturally in plants. More specifically, they are phytochemicals that are in the flavonoid group of molecules. They can be found in foods such as teas, fruits, vegetables, and honey. They not only add color to plants and foods, but also appear have antioxidant capabilities, anti-inflammatory activity, and immune system boosting activity. These activities of anthocyanins are measurable properties of the molecules that are researched examples of the health benefits they may provide when ingested. Studies have also shown that anthocyanins may help improve vision, reduce the division of cancer cells, protect blood vessels against oxidative stress, decrease weight gain and fat tissue formation, and enhance cognitive function (Lila, 2004).

Structure of anthocyanins: Anthocyanins are glycosides of anthocyanidins (i.e. they are anthocyanidins with an added sugar group). The sugar or carbohydrate group is usually bonded in the three position on the anthocyanidin. Anthocyanins have a positive charge, which is what ...

Purchase this Solution


Free BrainMass Quizzes
Do You Know Your Macromolecules?

This quiz will assess your knowledge of the macromolecules that are important to living things.

How Much Do You Know About Genetic Inheritance?

Most of us studied the basics of dominant and recessive genes at some point. However, genetics are much more complicated than this. How far beyond the basics does your knowledge go?

The Heart

This quiz test the understanding of the heart and some of its parts. It is important to understand how the heart functions and what makes it function.

Vision and Oculomotor Control

This quiz will test the student's knowledge of the neural underpinnings of the visual system and its central pathways.

Understanding the Musculoskeletal system

Introduce and understand basic information how the skeletal system and muscular system work in close concert with one another. And how their interaction between muscle and bone, as they work together to allow us movement.