Diabetes and Anthocyanins

You're probably wondering what anthocyanins are and where or how do I get them. First of all, anthocyanins are very potent antioxidant flavonoids. You can find them in purple cabbage, beets, cherries, raspberries, blueberries, purple plums and purple grapes. They are responsible for the bright colors you see in theses fruits and vegetables.

Because anthocyanins are very potent antioxidants, they have a strong anti-inflamatory effect. This is particularly helpful in diabetics because of the problems caused by having high blood sugars which causes oxidative damage in the blood vessels. The oxidative damage caused can result in leaking of the microvascular vessels. This is how diabetics lose their vision. The vessels in the eyes begin to leak from oxidative damage from the elevated blood sugar. Anthocyanins help by stabilizing the capillary membrain so that leakage does not occur.

I'll cover more on this tomorrow.