Anthocyanins, polyphenolic compounds abundant in certain foods, are responsible for the orange-red to blue-violet hues evident in many fruits, vegetables, cereal grains, and flowers. Interest in these pigments has intensified due to their potential health-promoting properties as dietary antioxidants, as well as their use as natural dyes in a variet

This reference work provides comprehensive information about the bioactive molecules presented in our daily food and their effect on the physical and mental state of our body. Although the concept of functional food is new, the consumption of selected food to attain a specific effect existed already in ancient civilizations, namely of China and India. Consumers are now more attentive to food quality, safety and health benefits, and the food industry is led to develop processed- and packaged-food, particularly in terms of calories, quality, nutritional value and bioactive molecules. This book covers the entire range of bioactive molecules presented in daily food, such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, isoflavonoids, carotenoids, vitamin C, polyphenols, bioactive molecules presented in wine, beer and cider. Concepts like French paradox, Mediterranean diet, healthy diet of eating fruits and vegetables, vegan and vegetarian diet, functional foods are described with suitable case studies. Readers will also discover a very timely compilation of methods for bioactive molecules analysis. Written by highly renowned scientists of the field, this reference work appeals to a wide readership, from graduate students, scholars, researchers in the field of botany, agriculture, pharmacy, biotechnology and food industry to those involved in manufacturing, processing and marketing of value-added food products.

Anthocyanins are compounds associated with multiple interesting effects and potential applications. This group of natural compounds can be found in many foods (ranging from red to blue depending on the matrix) such as berries, eggplant, plums, black beans and red grapes. Moreover, the knowledge accumulated so far support the key role of anthocyanins in food and pharmaceutical industry, research and in the life of consumers. The versatility of effects attributed to anthocyanins is disclosed in this book by covering several aspects ranging from its chemical and physical characteristics, separation and identification, techniques to preserve isolated compounds and reaching the healthy benefits and its use in sports.In Chapter 1, the fundaments and main aspects related to anthocyanins are disclosed. The scientific evidence indicates positive effects were related to anticancer, antioxidant, antidiabetic and inflammatory effects, for instance. In addition, anthocyanins are excellent food additives by improving the color of food in the range between red and blue. Moreover, the applications are also related to strategies to extract and improve the stability of isolated compounds. A successful isolation is necessary to obtain anthocyanins for pharmaceutical and food applications. Chapter 2 aimed to explore the concepts and advances made to improve the recovery of anthocyanins from several types of sources. It also explored the characteristics of both conventional and novel technologies.The isolation of anthocyanins also requires an adequate approach to identify and quantify each compound within this class. Chapter 3 is dedicated to discuss the approaches to identify and quantify anthocyanins, particularly for mass spectroscopic, nuclear magnetic resonance and high performance liquid chromatography. In addition, the aspects related to method validation are also explored. Once the extraction and adequate quantification of isolated anthocyanins occurs, it is of great value to prevent their degradation. The concepts and use of encapsulation technique are discussed in Chapter 4. Particular attention is given to the methods and the composition of encapsulating material to improve stability.Prior to considering the biological effect and health benefits associated with the consumption of anthocyanins, the consumption and crucial events during the digestion and absorption must be considered in order to clarify and support strategies in food and pharmaceutical applications. The concepts, biological events (with emphasis on digestion) and the role of gut microbiota on the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of anthocyanins are presented in Chapter 5. Following the absorption of anthocyanins several biological effects related to health benefits were reported in scientific literature. The first and preserve knowledge is related to the traditional consumption in order to treat diseases in folk medicine. This perspective and the scientific evidence raised so far are compiled in Chapter 6. In the chapter, the different plants sources to treat diseases are described.In Chapter 7, the relation between anthocyanins and antioxidant activity is discussed. The chapter contains the fundaments and scientific data regarding oxidative stress, lipid oxidation and evaluation of antioxidant activity (in both in vivo and in vitro methods). Moreover, the data from purified compounds and natural extracts are also presented and discussed. Another relevant benefit associated with anthocyanins is their impact on cardiovascular diseases. Chapter 8 presents the main factors associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases and discussed the role of anthocyanins to prevent the progression of this disease. Particular attention is given to the dietary sources of anthocyanins.Reducing the burden of cancer is another pertinent effect related to anthocyanins. In order to disclose the impact of anthocyanins against the development of cancer, Chapter 9 compiles fundamental concepts and scientific data supporting their role against this disease. Particular attention is given to pharmacokinetic of anthocyanins. Additionally, the development of food products for cancer survivors was also included in this chapter.Diabetes is a major disease that imposes limitation in the life of their carriers. Anthocyanins are important dietary components that can induce meaningful effects, at in vitro and in vivo level, to reduce the impact of diabetes in health. This perspective and the scientific data supporting it are discussed in Chapter 10. The inflammatory process is a major response mechanism in the human body. Once this process is dysregulated, a major impairing in health can occur. In Chapter 11, the mechanism by which anthocyanins act as anti-inflammatory compounds on affect key molecules and pathways are described.Neurodegenerative diseases, particularly during aging, are a major concern due to severe limitations related to memory and motion. Chapter 12 is dedicated to disclose the role and mechanisms related to neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, this chapter also presents the concepts and scientific data regarding the brain bioavailability of anthocyanins. The benefits associated with anthocyanins are not limited to reduce the risk associated with diseases, these compounds are also relevant dietary supplements for athletes. The role on the reduction of oxidative stress and in the performance of athletes and physically active people is discussed in Chapter 13.

In recent years there has been an unprecedented expansion of knowledge about anthocyanins pigments. Indeed, the molecular genetic control of anthocyanins biosynthesis is now one of the best understood of all secondary metabolic pathways. There have also been substantial improvements in analytical technology that have led to the discovery of novel anthocyanin compounds. Armed with this knowledge and the tools for genetic engineering, plant breeders are now introducing vibrant new colors into horticultural crops. The food industry has also benefited from the resurgence of interest in anthocyanins. A greater understanding of the chemistry of these pigments has led to improved methods for stabilizing the color of anthocyanins extracts, so that they are more useful as food colorings. Methods for the bulk production of anthocyanins from cell cultures have been optimized for this purpose. Possible benefits to human health from the ingestion of anthocyanin-rich foods have also been a major feature of the recent scientific literature. Anthocyanins are remarkably potent antioxidants, and their ingestion has been postulated to stave off the effects of oxidative stress. These pigments, especially in conjunction with other flavonoids, have been associated with reductions in the incidence and severity of many other non-infectious diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. An industry is developing around anthocyanins as nutritional supplements. Finally, there has been significant progress in our understanding of the benefits of anthocyanins to plants themselves. Originally considered an extravagance without a purpose, anthocyanins are now implicated in multifarious vital functions. These include the attraction of pollinators and frugivores, aposematic defense from herbivores, and protection from environmental stressors such as strong light, UVB, drought, and free radical attacks. Anthocyanins are evidently highly versatile, and enormously useful to plants. This book covers all aspects of the biosynthesis and function of anthocyanins (and related compounds such as proanthocyanidins) in plants, and their applications in agriculture, food products, and human health. Featured areas include their relevance to: * Plant stress * Flower and fruit color * Human health * Wine quality and health attributes * Food colorants and ingredients * Cell culture production systems * The pastoral sector

Anthocyanins are a group of phenolic compounds widely found in nature, occurring in all tissues of higher plants. Currently, there are over 600 identified anthocyanins, and their activity is related to the protection of plants against insect attacks and to the animals attraction for pollination and seed dispersal. Red fruits such as blueberries and cranberries are among the main sources of anthocyanins and can supply large quantities of this compound in a single meal. Several studies have shown the beneficial effects of anthocyanins on health due to its high antioxidant action through neutralising free radicals by the donation of hydrogen atoms. These beneficial effects include, among others, the anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory activities, the protective effect against degenerative and chronic diseases, the risk reduction of cardiovascular diseases, and vision improvement. In addition to discussing the health benefits of anthocyanins, it also discusses different food sources for anthocyanins and the chemical applications.

Anthocyanins are interesting due to their potential health-promoting properties as dietary antioxidants. This book discusses ways of targeting the delivery of these compounds in the body through controlled release.

Flavonoids with over 6000 natural colorful compounds are a unique class of phytonutrients found in almost all vegetables, fruits, and herbs. This book discusses the nature and role of these compounds by studying the molecular mechanism of flavonoids using spectroscopy and computational tools. The book also addresses the characteristics of natural vs. synthetic colors from both chemical and biological points of view. More importantly, a lengthy chapter explains in full detail the usefulness of these natural coloring properties to provide a safe, efficient, and economic therapy and/or prophylaxis of many health problems, e.g. obesity and cardiovascular disorders. This book poses a balance between developments in scientific research and the idea that researchers must be able to absorb and link scientific advances with clinical practice so that the management of diseases can be based on sound physiological concepts.

Superfoods and functional foods are receiving increasing attention because of their important roles in health. This book focuses on the production of superfoods and functional foods and their role as medicine. In the early chapters, prominent researchers introduce the roles and production of microalgae and functional fruits through metabolic engineering, the use of food waste, and effective cooking procedures. In the latter chapters, other prominent researchers introduce the medical effects of polyphenols, glutamine, and unsaturated fatty acids, which are contained in superfoods and functional foods. They suggest the importance of superfoods and functional foods in the treatment and prevention of many diseases. It is also recommended for readers to take a look at a related book, Superfood and Functional Food: An Overview of Their Processing and Utilization.

Presents recent research on metabolism and the health effects of polyphenols Consumer interest in the health benefits of many phenolic compounds found in plant foods and derivatives has grown considerably in recent years, giving rise to an increased demand for functional foods. Although preclinical and observational studies have promoted the protective properties of polyphenols for a range of chronic diseases, evidence has shown that most dietary polyphenols have little bioavailability. Once ingested, most of them are metabolized by either the intestinal enzymes or by the gut microbiota and then undergo extensive phase-II metabolism reaching significant concentrations of conjugated metabolites. They remain in the systemic circulation and target systemic tissues where trigger biological effects. The polyphenol-derived metabolites produced in humans are dependent upon the composition of the gut microbiota and the subject genetics. Thus all the metabolites do not show the same biological activity in different individuals. To fully understand the health effects of polyphenols, further clinical investigations are required. Dietary Polyphenols describes the latest findings on the polyphenol metabolism and reviews the current evidence on their health effects and that of their bioavailable metabolites. Emphasizing the importance of interindividual variability and the critical role of gut microbiota, this authoritative volume features contributions from recognized experts in the field, exploring specific families of extractable and non-extractable phenolic compounds that exhibit potential health effects. Topics include structural diversity of polyphenols and distribution in foods, bioavailability and bioaccessibility of phenolics, metabolism, and gastrointestinal absorption of various metabolites and their health effects. This comprehensive volume: Discusses the bioavailability, bioaccessibility, pharmacokinetics studies, and microbial metabolism of different groups of phenolic compounds Examines the interaction between polyphenols and gut microbiota Describes analytical methods for identifying and quantifying polyphenols in foods and biological samples Reviews recent epidemiological and clinical intervention studies showing protective effects of polyphenols Dietary Polyphenols: Metabolism and Health Effects is an important resource for scientists working in the area of dietary polyphenols and health effects, microbiota, and their interaction with other nutritional compounds, and for health professionals, nutritionists, dieticians, and clinical researchers with interest in the role of polyphenols in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases.

Now in a revised second edition, Nutrigenomics and Proteomics in Health and Disease brings together the very latest science based upon nutrigenomics and proteomics in food and health. Coverage includes many important nutraceuticals and their impact on gene interaction and health. Authored by an international team of multidisciplinary researchers, this book acquaints food and nutrition professionals with these new fields of nutrition research and conveys the state of the science to date. Thoroughly updated to reflect the most current developments in the field, the second edition includes six new chapters covering gut health and the personal microbiome; gut microbe-derived bioactive metabolites; proteomics and peptidomics in nutrition; gene selection for nutrigenomic studies; gene-nutrient network analysis, and nutrigenomics to nutritional systems biology. An additional five chapters have also been significantly remodelled. The new text includes a rethinking of in vitro and in vivo models with regard to their translatability into human phenotypes, and normative science methods and approaches have been complemented by more comprehensive systems biology-based investigations, deploying a multitude of omic platforms in an integrated fashion. Innovative tools and methods for statistical treatment and biological network analysis are also now included.