WHAT IS DELPHINIDIN?
Delphinidin is one of the many anthocyanins that can be found in plant based foods and is part of the phytonutrient family (a group of chemical compounds that occur naturally in plants and have multiple health benefits but are not considered essential to human health). In this article I will be discussing delphinidin in greater detail.
WHEN WAS DELPHINIDIN DISCOVERED?
Delphinidin was discovered in 1938 by the Hungarian biochemist Albert Szent-Györgyi as part of the flavonoid family. He initially referred to the flavonoids as vitamin P but it was later discovered that they are not essential to human health and therefore not technically vitamins.
HOW DOES YOUR BODY USE DELPHINIDIN?
Delphinidin is a powerful antioxidant that protects your body from damaging free radicals (harmful by-products that are released during oxygen related reactions). Initial research suggests that it may also have further health benefits but more research is needed to confirm these. These potential delphinidin health benefits are listed below:
– Possibly acting as an anti-inflammatory (a substance which prevents unnecessary inflammation within the body).
– Possibly preventing atherosclerosis (a condition where hard plaques form in the artery walls and restrict the flow of blood which ultimately increases your heart disease risk).
– Possibly preventing and treating various types of cancer (particularly prostate cancer).
– Possibly preventing heart disease.
– Possibly protecting the skin cells from ultraviolet (UV) damage.
HOW MUCH DELPHINIDIN DO YOU NEED?
Delphinidin is not considered essential to human health so no recommended daily allowance (RDA) has been established.
WHICH FOODS CONTAIN DELPHINIDIN?
Like many of the other anthocyanin, the highest levels of delphinidin are found in berries. However, some other fruits and vegetables also contain high levels of this nutrient. The table below outlines some of the best delphinidin foods:
| FOOD | MILLIGRAMS (MG) OF DELPHINIDIN PER 100 GRAMS (G) |
| Bananas | 7.93 |
| Black Beans | 11.98 |
| Blackcurrants | 181.11 |
| Bilberries | 161.93 |
| Blueberries | 47.4 |
| Cowpeas | 94.6 |
| Cranberries | 7.66 |
| Eggplant | 13.76 |
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GETTING TOO MUCH DELPHINIDIN?
Currently there are no reported overdose symptoms associated with delphinidin consumption.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF NOT GETTING ENOUGH DELPHINIDIN?
Delphinidin is not classed as an essential nutrient so there are no reported deficiency symptoms associated with its consumption.
DELPHINIDIN SUMMARY
There is still a lot to learn about delphinidin but the early signs are very promising. Research has revealed that it is a powerful antioxidant and it may also have a role to play in the prevention of numerous nasty health conditions. So make sure you are topped up with delphinidin by consuming some of the foods listed in this article.
Sources:
Anthocyanins (Suntava)
List of Phytochemicals in Food (Wikipedia)
What is Phytochemical? (Juicing For Health)
USDA Database for the Flavonoid Content of Selected Foods