Purple Corn Benefits

Powerful Antioxidant

Antioxidants are compounds that neutralize the free radicals, which are responsible for many negative effects on our health and can damage our cells. Oxidative stress, which may be responsible for many diseases, is often stopped by the presence of antioxidants. Antioxidants are constantly being researched for their potential health benefits, and many studies have shown a positive relationship between antioxidants and reduced risk of some diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and neurodegeneration in motor neuron diseases.

Rich in Anthocyanins

Anthocyanins are water-soluble blue plant pigments and are in a category of plant chemicals known as flavonoids. Anthocyanins are responsible for the purple, blue, and red colors found in many plants today. Anthocyanins often act as antioxidants, and are known to fight off harmful free-radicals.  Anthocyanins help to promote blood flow and stabilize connective tissue. They also have the potential to help prevent cancer, aging and neurological diseases, inflammation, diabetes, and bacterial infections.

Lowers Blood Pressure

As reported in the February 2007, Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, Japanese scientists conducted a study on two hypertensive test groups. One group was fed a diet including 1% purple corn, and one was not. For the group that was given purple corn, blood pressure and heart rate decreased, as compared with the control group, thus proving its anti-hypertensive capabilities.

Helps Reduce Cancer

A research study conducted by Ohio State University’s Assistant Professor of Food Science. Monica Giusti, demonstrated that anthocyanins from purple corn helped reduce cancer growth in test subjects by fifty percent. Not only did it stop growth in test subjects, the anthocyanins killed twenty percent of in vitro cancer cells as well. And while putting a halt to cancer cell growth, the anthocyanins left the surrounding tissue essentially unaffected.

Anti-Obesity Potential

In a 2003 study published in the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, test groups were administered a high fat diet with the anthocyanin C3G, and one without the presence of C3G. After 12 weeks, the group fed the high fat diet with C3G, proved to be far less likely to develop obesity.

Prevents Diabetes

Antioxidants do many wonderful things for our health, and one of those things is to support blood sugar balance. In a 2003 study by Tsuda et al, two groups ate a rich in fat diet for 12 weeks, but one was given the anthocyanin C3G and one was not. The group that was given C3G did not show any signs of low blood sugar (hyperglycemia), too much insulin in the blood (hyperinsulinemia), or increased serum leptin levels (hyperleptinemia), all of which are signs of diabetes.

Protects Capillaries

A good circulation system is vital to our survival, and our capillaries are the smallest part of our blood vessels. There was a study conducted in Italy on hamsters that set out to see what affect anthocyanins (found in purple corn) would have on their circulation system. Research proved that anthocyanins prevented capillary damage by stabilizing capillary walls.

Anti-Aging and Collagen Production

The antioxidants found in purple corn are known to fight off the free-radicals that are responsible for the external aging process. The antioxidants help in the regeneration of skin tissue, which in turn, have an anti-wrinkle effect.

Reduces Inflammation

The Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology published a study in 2002 that investigated the anthocyanin C3G found in purple corn. A test group suffered from chemically-induced inflammation; then received a dose of C3G. The test group’s inflammation was greatly reduced once the C3G was administered. This research demonstrated that purple corn anthocyanins may have potential benefits in treating inflammatory diseases.

 

References:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/288065-what-are-the-benefits-of-purple-corn-extract/#ixzz17RkJXaOz)

http://www.naturalnews.com/023800_purple_corn_blood_cancer.html#ixzz18vELGYZv

http://purplecorn.wordpress.com/2007/10/15/purple-corn-science/

http://www.ehow.com/facts_6009537_benefits-purple-corn-extract_.html#ixzz18vFzJQZx