The American Cancer Society recommends eating fruits and vegetables of different colors---yellow, orange, blue, red and purple. The more colorful the fruit or vegetable, the more nutrients it contains along with cancer-fighting properties, antioxidants and low calories. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture, purple foods contain important nutrients called anthocyanins, which are responsible for the purple, blue and red colors of some fruits. As an antioxidant, anthocyanin protects agains cell damage from free radicals. Anthocyanin also is studied for its efficacy in fighting cancer, heart disease and age-related conditions of the brain.
Fruits
Purple grapes, figs, passion fruit, raisins, plums and dried plums are popular purple fruits, but many berries--blackberries, blueberries, elderberries, cranberries, chokeberries and bilberries--count as purple foods, as well, and are some of the richest sources of anthocyanins. Blue and red fruits like concord grapes, cherries and pomegranates also are considered part of the range of colors included in the family of purple foods and are rich in disease-fighting anthocyanins.
Vegetables
Eggplant is the most familiar purple vegetable, but there are many others. Purple carrots, purple cabbage, purple asparagus and purple-fleshed potatoes are colorful variations of familiar vegetables. Choices also include purple Belgian endive, purple peppers, purple olives and purple asparagus. According to Janet Helm with the Chicago Tribune, local farmers' markets or specialty catalogs are good places to find purple foods like purple onions and purple kale.
Legumes and Grains
Purple pod pole greens have a vivid purple color that is lost in the cooking process. Also known as royal burgundy and royalty purple, the purple pods turn green when cooked.
Purple grains include purple rice and purple wheat, which is native to East Africa and is used in breads and baked goods. Purple corn, which is common in Peru and a rich source of six anthocyanin antioxidants, is used to make purple corn flour.
References
- American Cancer Society: The Color of Prevention
- USDA: Characterization and Control of Nutritional and Sensory Properties of Raw and Processed Grains, Legumes and Vegetables
- Fruit and Veggies More Matters: Fruit and Veggie Color List
- Illinois Cooperative Extension: A Passion for Purple Vegetables
- Ed Hume Seeds: Garden Beans-Royal Burgundy Bush
