Anthocyanins are potent natural pigments found in many fruits, vegetables, grains, and other plant foods that have demonstrated beneficial biological activities. They belong to the flavonoid group of phytochemicals and are responsible for providing red, purple, and blue colors to various plant parts, including fruits, flowers, and leaves. Their presence in these natural sources has garnered increasing attention in nutritional science due to their potential health benefits. This research topic will systematically review the current scientific evidence on the cardiometabolic health effects of dietary anthocyanins, with a focus on elucidating molecular mechanisms of action and exploring major dietary sources. Four key themes will be focused on, each shedding light on different dimensions of anthocyanin functionality.
Anthocyanins and Cardiovascular Health: Given the looming global health crisis of cardiovascular disease (CVD), it is important to understand potential dietary interventions. This theme will explore the capacity of anthocyanins to modulate key risk factors associated with CVD, including inflammation, lipid profiles, and endothelial function. Studies that shed light on the underlying mechanisms of action and propose optimal dietary strategies for fortifying cardiovascular health are eagerly anticipated.
Role of Anthocyanins in Metabolic Health : Given the increasing prevalence of metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, it is imperative to explore the role of anthocyanins in metabolic health. This theme will explore the potential impact of anthocyanins on glucose and lipid metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and gut microbiota composition, which are all crucial factors in metabolic regulation. Studies investigating potential synergies with other dietary components and the possibility of personalized interventions tailored to individual metabolic profiles are particularly intriguing.
Antioxidant Properties and Cellular Protection : Anthocyanins are natural antioxidants that can combat the harmful effects of free radicals, which are linked to chronic diseases. This theme will explore how anthocyanins exert their antioxidant abilities, including direct scavenging of free radicals, modulation of antioxidant enzymes, and activation of stress-protective pathways. Furthermore, it is crucial to investigate how these antioxidant properties can protect cells against diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, to fully unlock their therapeutic potential.
Dietary Sources and Bioavailability : To maximize the health benefits of anthocyanins, it is important to have a nuanced understanding of their dietary origins and bioavailability. This theme will examine the content and composition of anthocyanins in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other dietary sources. Additionally, investigations into the myriad factors influencing anthocyanin bioavailability—including food processing techniques, interactions with gut microbiota, and individual variabilities—will play a pivotal role in informing dietary guidelines and recommendations.
Beyond these core themes, we welcome research that explores new frontiers in the field of anthocyanins and nutritional science. This could include investigations of: This could include investigations of:
• ͏The lon͏g-term imp͏act of consuming ant͏hocyanin͏s from fo͏od or supplements on overall health.
• How anthocy͏anins i͏nteract with other components in͏ our diet.
• Customized nutritional approaches based on͏ differences in how͏ indiv͏iduals metabolize anthocyanins an͏d ͏t͏heir gu͏t mi͏crobiota composition͏.
• Creating i͏nnovative strat͏egies to increase the amount and absorpt͏ion of anthocyanins through fortification and pro͏cessing methods in food.
• Assess͏ing the͏ e͏ffectiveness͏ and stability of purified antho͏cyanin ͏supplements for human consumption, as well as their poten͏tial us͏e as natu͏ral͏ colorants in the food and͏ nut͏raceutical ͏industries.
͏• Understanding͏ how fa͏ctors like th͏e composition͏ ͏of foods͏, cooking methods, and ͏i͏nteractions with gut bacteria affect the availabil͏i͏ty of anth͏ocyanins.
Keywords:
Anthocyanins, Antioxidant Activity, Cardiometabolic Health, Chronic Disease Prevention, Bioavailability, Anthocyanins-based fortification
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Anthocyanins are potent natural pigments found in many fruits, vegetables, grains, and other plant foods that have demonstrated beneficial biological activities. They belong to the flavonoid group of phytochemicals and are responsible for providing red, purple, and blue colors to various plant parts, including fruits, flowers, and leaves. Their presence in these natural sources has garnered increasing attention in nutritional science due to their potential health benefits. This research topic will systematically review the current scientific evidence on the cardiometabolic health effects of dietary anthocyanins, with a focus on elucidating molecular mechanisms of action and exploring major dietary sources. Four key themes will be focused on, each shedding light on different dimensions of anthocyanin functionality.
Anthocyanins and Cardiovascular Health: Given the looming global health crisis of cardiovascular disease (CVD), it is important to understand potential dietary interventions. This theme will explore the capacity of anthocyanins to modulate key risk factors associated with CVD, including inflammation, lipid profiles, and endothelial function. Studies that shed light on the underlying mechanisms of action and propose optimal dietary strategies for fortifying cardiovascular health are eagerly anticipated.
Role of Anthocyanins in Metabolic Health : Given the increasing prevalence of metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, it is imperative to explore the role of anthocyanins in metabolic health. This theme will explore the potential impact of anthocyanins on glucose and lipid metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and gut microbiota composition, which are all crucial factors in metabolic regulation. Studies investigating potential synergies with other dietary components and the possibility of personalized interventions tailored to individual metabolic profiles are particularly intriguing.
Antioxidant Properties and Cellular Protection : Anthocyanins are natural antioxidants that can combat the harmful effects of free radicals, which are linked to chronic diseases. This theme will explore how anthocyanins exert their antioxidant abilities, including direct scavenging of free radicals, modulation of antioxidant enzymes, and activation of stress-protective pathways. Furthermore, it is crucial to investigate how these antioxidant properties can protect cells against diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, to fully unlock their therapeutic potential.
Dietary Sources and Bioavailability : To maximize the health benefits of anthocyanins, it is important to have a nuanced understanding of their dietary origins and bioavailability. This theme will examine the content and composition of anthocyanins in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other dietary sources. Additionally, investigations into the myriad factors influencing anthocyanin bioavailability—including food processing techniques, interactions with gut microbiota, and individual variabilities—will play a pivotal role in informing dietary guidelines and recommendations.
Beyond these core themes, we welcome research that explores new frontiers in the field of anthocyanins and nutritional science. This could include investigations of: This could include investigations of:
• ͏The lon͏g-term imp͏act of consuming ant͏hocyanin͏s from fo͏od or supplements on overall health.
• How anthocy͏anins i͏nteract with other components in͏ our diet.
• Customized nutritional approaches based on͏ differences in how͏ indiv͏iduals metabolize anthocyanins an͏d ͏t͏heir gu͏t mi͏crobiota composition͏.
• Creating i͏nnovative strat͏egies to increase the amount and absorpt͏ion of anthocyanins through fortification and pro͏cessing methods in food.
• Assess͏ing the͏ e͏ffectiveness͏ and stability of purified antho͏cyanin ͏supplements for human consumption, as well as their poten͏tial us͏e as natu͏ral͏ colorants in the food and͏ nut͏raceutical ͏industries.
͏• Understanding͏ how fa͏ctors like th͏e composition͏ ͏of foods͏, cooking methods, and ͏i͏nteractions with gut bacteria affect the availabil͏i͏ty of anth͏ocyanins.
Keywords:
Anthocyanins, Antioxidant Activity, Cardiometabolic Health, Chronic Disease Prevention, Bioavailability, Anthocyanins-based fortification
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.