Petunidin sources, health benefits and uses

Petunidin is a dark-red or purple water-soluble pigment that is classified as an anthocyanin. It is a naturally occurring compound first discovered by Hungarian biochemist Albert Szent-Györgyi in 1938.  The nutrient is a derivative of the compound delphinidin.

According to an entry featured on the Revolvy website, petunidin is responsible for the red and purple colors of certain fruits and vegetables such as grapes, black beans, bilberries, and blueberries. Other notably rich sources of petunidin include blackcurrants, cow peas, and red wine.

Medicinal uses for petunidin

Petunidin is best known for its anticarcinogenic properties that fend off various types of cancer, an entry posted on the Kyle Norton blog noted. According to the article, a previous study found that the petunidin in the Vaccinium uliginosum plant, a type of blueberry found in the Chinese Changbai Mountains, is highly effective in repressing harmful cancer cells. Likewise, the nutrient’s strong antioxidant properties help fortify the body’s overall immunity.

The nutrient is touted to fend off liver cancer as well. Petunidin is shown to contain potent anti-proliferative and anti-invasive properties that mitigate the proliferation of human hepatoma cells. The compound is also revealed to trigger apoptosis  or cancer cell death by activating certain mitochondrial pathways and fending off proteins that hinder the process.

Breast cancer patients may also gain great benefits from this powerful nutrient. The petunidin in jambul fruit extracts is found to contain antiproliferative effects that inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation. The nutrient is also known to induce cancer cell deaths in breast cancer patients.

Likewise, the high petunidin content in lingonberries show utmost efficacy in addressing oxidative stress. An animal study has demonstrated that supplementation with petunidin-rich lingonberry resulted in significant declines in total oxidant status in rats fed with a diet inducing oxidative stress. The nutrient also helped improve the status of affected antioxidant defense enzymes in red blood cells and liver, according to the study.

An article published in the Free Fitness Tips website stated that the beneficial nutrient may alleviate diabetes as well. In fact, the petunidin in muscadine extracts is touted to be highly effective in inhibiting the activities of both alpha-glucosidase and lipase. The compound’s anti-diabetic properties also appear to be stronger when the extracts have already been consumed and processed in the body. Aside from this, the compound is touted to promote cardiovascular health.

Another study has indicated that petunidin is among the four beneficial compounds found in the New red leaf tea cultivar Sunrouge. According to the study, the new cultivar is particularly beneficial in preventing eye strain and improving the ocular system’s overall health. Drinking the petunidin-rich tea cultivar is also touted to produce various health benefits, the research team notes.

Furthermore, petunidin is known to greatly improve the appearance and overall health of the skin. Previous studies have shown that supplementation with petunidin-packed blueberry extracts is notably effective in mitigating the onset of photoaging in human dermal fibroblasts exposed to ultraviolet light. The nutrient is known to fend off collagen and DNA damage and dampen the skin’s inflammatory responses.

Body systems supported by petunidin

Petunidin’s strong anticancinogenic properties help lower the odds of developing cancer in various parts of the body including the liver and the breasts. Likewise, its potent antioxidant effects strengthen the immune system and regulate the body’s overall blood circulation. The beneficial nutrient is also known to promote both cardiovascular and digestive health. In addition, petunidin is highly effective in improving eye health and protecting the skin from photoaging.

Where to learn more

Summary

Petunidin helps reduce the risk of both breast cancer and liver cancer.

Petunidin prevents the onset of diabetes, heart disease, and oxidative stress.

Petunidin mitigates eye strain, photoaging, and other skin conditions.

Petunidin is beneficial to both the immune and digestive system.

Petunidin supports the heart, eyes, and the skin.

Sources include:

Revolvy.com

KyleNorton.HealthBlogs.org

FreeFitnessTips.co.uk