The Natural Antioxidant Power of Purple Corn
Purple corn was once a sacred harvest for ancient Inca civilizations. Now, hundreds of years later, they are grown commercially in their homeland of Peru. Initially, the benefits of purple corn were appreciated as a natural food and beverage dye.
Today’s markets still recognize the more traditional uses, and while investigating the health benefits of this particular type of corn, they have made it a coveted ingredient in the markets for functional foods and supplements.
Description of purple corn
The benefits of purple corn are largely related to the high content of anthocyanins and antioxidant-rich colored pigments that give it its characteristic purple color.
Chemical composition
The anthocyanin profile that predominantly contains purple corn is: cyanidines, pelargonidines and peonidines. Purple corn contains one of the highest concentrations of cyanidin-3-glycoside compared to other fruits and vegetables rich in anthocyanins, which has given it a number of significant health benefits in humans.
Traditional use
Coming from the mountains of the Peruvian Andes, the indigenous peoples of this region have used purple corn for thousands of years for multiple purposes. It is used as a base for drinks, sorbets, puddings and popsicles or to make bread and tortillas.
One of the most popular uses for purple corn is in the purple chicha, made by boiling the beans with fruits and spices, a drink that is believed to date before the creation of the Inca empire.
Properties of purple corn
Purple corn contains a combination of components that provide great properties. It is primarily one of the most potent plant sources of antioxidant-rich color pigments called anthocyanins. The purple corn:
• Supports healthy glucose and lipid metabolism
• It is a potent antioxidant activator
• Promotes healthy aging and vascular integrity.
• It is 100% natural
• It has various applications
Andean Natural purple corn powders and extracts are ideal for a variety of applications including functional foods and beverages. They are suitable for use in capsules, tablets, beverage mixes, cosmetics and more.
Benefits of purple corn for the body
Researchers have discovered the benefits of purple corn for the body and its effects on cell health, obesity, diabetes, inflammation and vascular integrity. Purple corn has one of the deepest purple tones found in the plant kingdom.
This vibrant purple hue is indicative of the type of antioxidants it contains: anthocyanins. These powerful compounds make purple corn stand out above normal corn in terms of health contribution.
Antioxidant power
Among the properties of corn, is its great antioxidant power due to the high percentage of anthocyanins that it has. This content makes purple corn a product widely used to combat obesity and diabetes.
Antiobesity and diabetes
Animal studies have shown that the cyanidin-3-glycoside of purple corn works as an antidiabetic agent and in the control of obesity. When weight gain occurs, it is usually followed by excessive levels of glucose in the plasma that lead to hyperglycemia.
Purple corn reduces the accumulation of triglycerides in adipocytes (fat cells), and reverses hyperglycemia (excess glucose in the plasma). Another antioxidant in purple corn that makes waves in nutritional circles is a hydroxybenzoic acid, protocatechuic acid, which has recently been linked to the strong antioxidant activity of this vegetable.
Cancer / Cellular Health
Research has illustrated the ability of purple corn to suppress colorectal cancer in an animal study. When purple corn was administered to mice with colorectal carcinomas, the lesions decreased significantly.
To better understand the structure-function relationships of anthocyanins and chemoprotection, a group of Ohio State University researchers investigated several extracts with high anthocyanin content and their effect on a colon cancer cell line.
Purple corn was the most inhibitory, even on chokeberry, purple carrot, cranberry and others. It was determined that the chemical structure of anthocyanin affected chemoprotection, with non-acylated monoglycosylated anthocyanins that had a greater inhibitory effect on the proliferation of cancer cells.
Vascular Integrity
In the vascular system, endothelial nitric oxide synthetase (eNOS) produces nitric oxide. Higher levels of nitric oxide help relax blood vessels and can be a good indicator of overall vascular integrity.
The cyanidine-3-glycoside found in purple corn seems to act as a modulator of gene regulation and signal transduction pathways. This helps us understand the underlying role of this and other anthocyanins in the prevention of diseases associated with inflammation and oxidative stress.
Anti-inflammatory power
In a study conducted at Tokai Gakuen University in Japan, it was confirmed that with purple corn there was an anti-inflammatory response. Other statements based on the results of these studies indicated that this plant pigment can suppress the inflammatory response in diseases marked with inflammation.
Effects on blood pressure
According to the American Heart Association, untreated high blood pressure can cause kidney damage, heart disease, memory loss, vision loss and stroke.
The 2007 edition of the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology reported that anthocyanins present in purple corn reduced blood pressure and heart rate in hypertensive rats.
Kidney health
Scientists at Hallym University in Korea discovered that antioxidant properties in purple corn extract could prevent hardening of blood vessels in the kidneys, a process called glomerulosclerosis, which is often associated with diabetes.
Eye health
Two most important antioxidants found in purple corn are lutein and zeaxatinin. These compounds are used almost exclusively by the eyes, and high levels of these antioxidants have been associated with lower chances of developing serious eye diseases, such as cataracts or macular degeneration.
Properties
Reduces cholesterol (LDL). Regular blood pressure. Preserves internal and external physical health for thousands of years. It is rich in anthocyanins, contains four times more anthocyanins than blueberries.
Composition
100% micro-pulverized Purple Corn of the best quality
Andean Natural offers you a variety of natural products with great benefits for the body. In the list of products of Andean Natural is the Purple Corn Capsules.
Capsules obtained from the extract of purple corn fruits of the highest quality, in order to preserve all their properties and their active benefits. Each capsule contains 100% micro-pulverized Purple Corn of the best quality.
This product has impressive antioxidant properties. It reduces cholesterol (LDL). It is rich in anthocyanins, contains four times more anthocyanins than blueberries, becoming a quintessential natural antioxidant.
