And according to a study published January 18, 2023, in theJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, we have even more evidence to be pro purple: Anthocyanins in plants may have properties that can help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

What This Type 2 Diabetes Study Found

Researchers in the food science unit at the University of Turku in Finland reviewed the results from previous studies related to anthocyanins—the antioxidant that lends the red, purple and blue pigments to certain fruits, vegetables and roots—and learned that several factors might play a role in their ability to reduce risk for type 2 diabetes. Anthocyanins can impact:

Anthocyanins are particularly powerful at lowering risk for type 2 diabetes if they’re “acylated,” or structured in a way that has a group of atoms called an “acyl group” added to the sugar molecule. Thanks to their probiotic properties, acylated anthocyanins appear to help reduce the risk of diabetes more substantially than non-acylated anthocyanins.

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a photo of various purple fruits and vegetables

“In addition to changing physical and chemical properties, the acylation affects how the anthocyanins are absorbed and metabolized,“Kang Chen, a postdoctoral researcher tellsUniversity of Turku News.

Based on the results of their analysis, the scientists believe that acylated anthocyanins can help improve the intestinal barrier in a way that allows for better absorption of certain nutrients and better regulation of blood sugar and cholesterol.

The highest amount of acylated anthocyanins are naturally present in:

Blueberries and mulberries, on the other hand, contain mostly non-acylated anthocyanins. (That said, they still offer plenty of other health benefits and can absolutely be part of a well-balanced, health-promoting diet!) Plus, the researchers confirm that all foods containing anthocyanins can help reduce risk for type 2 diabetes, just via distinct ways and at varying levels of impact.

“The latest research has shown that the acylated and non-acylated anthocyanins can impact type 2 diabetes in different ways,” Chen adds.

Why You Should Eat the Rainbow When It Comes to Fruits and Vegetables

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