Red, purple or blue fruits and vegetables may prevent cancer

EC research studies the impact of F&V pigments on human health

Anthocyanins, the pigments responsible for the red, blue and purple colour of several fruits and vegetables, could be highly beneficial to human health. A research project christened the Athena Project has been developed by the European Commission to investigate further in this field.

Some European laboratory studies conducted with various animals have already proved that anthocyanin pigments afford protection against cardiovascular disease, cancer and obesity. Animals were fed a hypercaloric diet which also contained a high proportion of anthocyanins and they remained healthy without symptoms of obesity, cancer or other chronic diseases. The Athena project aims to study the performance of these pigments in promoting human health and the protection dietary anthocyanins provide against cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity and other chronic diseases in humans. The anthocyanin pigments, which are found inside the cells of several fruits and vegetables, appear red, purple or blue according to their pH.

The Athena project forms part of the European Commission’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) of research related initiatives. Five Italian groups are participating in this project: the Agricultural Research Council (Rome), Kos Genetic (Milan), Sacred Heart Catholic University (Campobasso), the University of Milan, and the European Institute of Oncology (Milan). The other participants are Istanbul Technical University (Turkey), University Joseph Fourier (France), Wageningen University & Research Centre (Netherlands), the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (Germany), and the Institute of Food Research (UK).

S&G Brassicas Today – July 2010