Are Purple Carrots Healthier For You?

Prior to the 17th century almost all carrots had a dark purple colour. Although purple carrots provide many of the same health benefits as orange carrots, they also offer some additional nutritional benefits due to their high concentration of anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are flavonoid pigments that give many blue, purple, and black vegetables and berries their intense colour and strong health-boosting properties. Purple carrots contain up to 28 times more anthocyanins than orange carrots.

Blueberry & Purple Carrot Rice Cakes from Only Organics is a great snack option for kids and adults as it contains anthocyanins which provide amazing health benefits. This product contains only Certified Organic Ingredients, is free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives. In addition, Only organics uses non-BPA packaging.

Purple carrots are rich in anthocyanins which are antioxidant compounds. Research has shown that the antioxidant and other chemical properties of these blue and purple pigments provide the following health benefits

5 reasons purple carrots are good for you

Improves memory
Enhances vision
Improves vascular health
Anti-Carcinogenic Effects Against Colon Cancer Cells
Assists weight control

Improves Memory

Purple carrots are rich in beta carotene which improves memory and verbal skills.The plant compound luteolin in carrots has been found to reduce age-related inflammation in the brain and associated memory deficits. Anthocyanins cross the blood brain barrier and impact the areas of the brain involved in memory and learning.

Enhances vision

Anthocyanins can benefit vision by

enhancing night vision
increasing circulation in retinal capillaries
combating macular degeneration
reducing the risk of retinopathy in diabetics

Lutein (“the eye vitamin”) in purple carrots also has eye health-protecting qualities. It is often used as a preventive treatment for age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and retinitis pigmentosa.

Improves vascular health

Lowers blood cholesterol levels

Anthocyanins help combat varicose veins by

neutralizing enzymes that destroy connective tissue
repairing damaged proteins in blood vessel walls
promoting circulation and overall health of the vascular system

Anti-Carcinogenic Effects Against Colon Cancer Cells

Research has found that

all anthocyanin extracts can inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells
lutein, the main carotenoid in purple carrots, may provide protection against colon cancer due to its strong anti-inflammatory properties
anthocyanins have strong anti-inflammatory properties which might help alleviate symptoms associated with inflammatory diseases

Assists weight control

Lowers blood glucose levels

The importance of having a variety of plant foods (especially different colours) in your diet

Eating a range of colourful foods is the best way to obtain the complete range of vitamins and minerals the body needs to thrive. The variety of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables have enormous health benefits. Fruit and vegetables can be classified into 5 different colour categories: red, purple/blue, orange, green and white/brown. Each colour carries its own unique set of disease fighting chemicals known as phytochemicals.

Red fruits and vegetables

Contain phytochemicals, including lycopene and ellagic acid

Health benefits

Anti-carcinogenic
Reduces risk of Diabetes
Reduces risk of heart disease
Improves Skin health.

Blue and purple fruits and vegetables

Are rich in phytonutrients, including anthocyanins and resveratrol.

Health benefits

Reduces risk of cancer/stroke/heart disease
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-aging

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Orange/yellow fruit and vegetables

Contain carotenoids and vitamin C. Beta-carotene is a carotenoid found in sweet potatoes, pumpkins and carrots. It is converted to vitamin A, which helps maintain healthy mucous membranes and healthy eyes. Lutein (a carotenoid) is stored in the eye. Citrus fruits contain a unique phytonutrient called hesperidin.

Health benefits

Improve Immune Function
Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease
Promote Eye Health – prevents cataracts and macular degeneration
Increases blood flow
Reduces risk of stroke

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Green fruit and vegetables

Contain Vitamin A, Vitamin C, fibre, potassium, folate and phytochemicals including carotenoids, indoles and saponins. Green vegetables are rich in lutein, isothiocyanates, isoflavones, and vitamin K.

Health benefits

Boosts the Immune System
Help Detoxify the Body
Restore Energy and Vitality
Anti-carcinogenic
Rich in folate – essential during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects
Promotes blood and bone health
Improves mood
repairs DNA damage
alleviates cold/IBS/insomnia

White & brown fruits and vegetables

Contain phytochemicals such as allicin (found in garlic) and quercetin (found in onions). Bananas and potatoes are a good source of potassium. Cauliflower is rich in sulforaphane.

Health benefits

Anti-carcinogenic
Maintains strong bones
Maintains heart health
Anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties