Keeping a healthy diet can feel like a full-time job. Eat more kale, cut out meat, cut out sugar, eat this fat not that fat, eat some carbs but not too much, read the labels, watch your calories... the list is endless.
Now, we are on the brink of a new health fad. But this one is far simpler: eat anything purple. According to the annual trend advisory from Whole Foods, compiled by the store's panel of registered dieticians, purple food is seeing a surge in popularity and for good reason.
Beautiful beetroot and spinach salad. PICTURE: Supplied'Richly coloured purple foods are popping up everywhere: purple cauliflower, black rice, purple asparagus, elderberries, acai, purple sweet potatoes, purple corn and cereal,' the panel says.
'The power of purple goes beyond the vibrant colour and often indicates nutrient density and antioxidants.'
Abbey Sharp, a registered dietician and owner of Abbey's Kitchen, agrees.
'Purple does indicate antioxidant and nutrient density. The colour comes from anthocyanins, which is a type of antioxidant.'
Red cabbage high in vitamin A and C . PICTURE: Supplied
Anthocyanins have been the focus of medical studies for years, looking at how food like blueberries can fight cancer, ageing, and obesity. Plums, for example, are packed with Vitamin C and fibre, while purple potatoes are high in potassium, iron and contain the same antioxidant levels as kale.
Indeed, nutritionists and celebrity health proponents are constantly advising people to eat more purple food. And even Mariah Carey backs the so-called 'purple diet', which she claims helped her shed her baby weight after giving birth to Moroccan and Monroe in 2011.
Why should you eat purple foods?
Fight cancer
A 2010 study by the University of Porto found the anthocyanins in blueberries prevent the growth of breast cancer cells. A 2014 study by Chengdu Medical College in China found black rice's anthocyanins have the same effect. According to research at NC State University, the properties in blueberries can even stop prostate cancer tumours from forming.
To fight colon cancer, a study at Ohio State University found purple corn is the most effective food.
Anti-ageing
The antioxidants are thought to have anti-ageing benefits. Over time, exposure to UVA and UVB light damages our skin. The collagen degrades, and the skin loses is tightness, causing wrinkles. But a 2009 study found the anthocyanins in blueberries helped reverse the damage of UV rays on the skin, and postponed the skin's collagen from breaking down with age.
Healthy vegetable salad. PICTURE: Supplied
Japanese researchers published a study in 2008 that found mice gained more weight if they ate less anthocyanins. And last year, a study found obese rats fed with sweet potato lost more weight than those that did not. That was attributed to the high level of anthocyanins in purple sweet potato, which control the levels of leption, the fat hormone. The diet promises to improve cardiovascular health, fight cancer and give you a huge energy boost.
READ:10 fabulous food trends for 2017
Brain strength
A 16-year study found anthocyanins can reverse brain ageing by two and a half years. The study, published in the Annals of Neurology, studied 16,000 people. They did follow-ups with each person twice a year, checking their dietary habits. Those who consume more anthocyanin-rich berries fared overwhelmingly better in cognitive tests.
Heart health
Anthocyanins can protect the heart muscle and blood vessels from oxidative damage. They may also help rejuvenate the cardiovascular system and help repair the damaged tissue. Indeed, an 18-year study published in 2013 found that women who ate three or more servings a week of purple food reduced their risk of a heart attack by 32 percent.