WHAT IS PELARGONIDIN?
Pelargonidin 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 pelargonidin in greater detail.
WHEN WAS PELARGONIDIN DISCOVERED?
Pelargonidin 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 PELARGONIDIN?
Pelargonidin is a powerful antioxidant which protects your body from oxygen related damage. Initial research has suggested that pelargonidin may also have further health benefits but these have yet to be fully confirmed. This list below outlines these potential health benefits:
– Possibly preventing cancer.
– Possibly preventing heart disease.
– Possibly preventing neurodegenerative disorders (such as Parkinson’s disease).
– Possibly treating diabetes (by reducing blood glucose levels and enhancing the action of insulin).
HOW MUCH PELARGONIDIN DO YOU NEED?
Pelargonidin is not considered an essential nutrient so no recommended daily allowance (RDA) has been established.
WHICH FOODS CONTAIN PELARGONIDIN?
Pelargonidin is mainly found in berries but it can also be found in other fruits and vegetables. The table below highlights some of the richest food sources of pelargonidin:
| FOOD | MILLIGRAMS (MG) OF PELARGONIDIN PER 100 GRAMS (G) |
| Currants | 1.17 |
| Chokeberries | 1.44 |
| Elderberries | 1.13 |
| Kidney Beans | 2.42 |
| Radishes | 25.66 |
| Raspberries | 1.85 |
| Strawberries | 31.27 |
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GETTING TOO MUCH PELARGONIDIN?
Currently there are no reported overdose symptoms associated with pelargonidin consumption.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF NOT GETTING ENOUGH PELARGONIDIN?
Pelargonidin is not classed as an essential nutrient so there are no reported deficiency symptoms associated with its consumption.
PELARGONIDIN SUMMARY
Whilst many of the health benefits associated with pelargonidin have yet to be confirmed, there are still many reasons to make these anthocyanins part of your diet. Not only are they powerful antioxidants but they may also have a key role to play in disease prevention. Additionally, the foods that contain pelargonidin are rich in many other important nutrients and promote all round good health. So next time you fancy a snack fill up on berries and get some pelargonidin into your body.
Sources:
Anthocyanins (Suntava)
List of Phytochemicals in Food (Wikipedia)
What is Phytochemical? (Juicing For Health)
USDA Database for the Flavonoid Content of Selected Foods