WHAT IS MALVIDIN?
Malvidin 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 malvidin in greater detail.
WHEN WAS MALVIDIN DISCOVERED?
Malvidin 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 MALVIDIN?
Malvidin is an antioxidant which can protect the body’s cells from damaging free radicals (harmful by-products of oxygen related reactions). It may also have further health benefits in the human body but more research is required before they can be confirmed. These potential malvidin health benefits are listed below:
– Possibly protecting muscles from damage during exercise.
– Possibly treating cancer.
HOW MUCH MALVIDIN DO YOU NEED?
Malvidin is not considered essential to human health so no recommended daily allowance (RDA) has been established.
WHICH FOODS CONTAIN MALVIDIN?
Malvidin can be found in a selection of foods with berries, red grapes and red wine being particularly good sources. The table below highlights some of the best malvidin foods:
| FOOD | MILLIGRAMS (MG) OF MALVIDIN PER 100 GRAMS (G) |
| Black Beans | 6.45 |
| Bilberries | 54.37 |
| Blueberries | 61.35 |
| Cowpeas | 34.28 |
| Red Grapes | 34.71 |
| Red Wine | 7 |
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GETTING TOO MUCH MALVIDIN?
Currently there are no reported overdose symptoms associated with malvidin consumption.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF NOT GETTING ENOUGH MALVIDIN?
Malvidin is not classed as an essential nutrient so there are no reported deficiency symptoms associated with its consumption.
MALVIDIN SUMMARY
Although there is very limited information available on malvidin you should still try to make sure your diet is rich in the foods listed in this article. Each 1 of these foods provides you with high levels of malvidin and many other phytonutrients. Collectively these nutrients can protect your cells from damage, fight off disease and keep your body in tip top shape.
Sources:
Anthocyanins (Suntava)
Blueberries May Protect Muscles From Exercise Damage (Texas Blueberry Marketing Association)
List of Phytochemicals in Food (Wikipedia)
Malvidin (Phytochemicals.info)
What is Phytochemical? (Juicing For Health)
USDA Database for the Flavonoid Content of Selected Foods