ABSTRACT
Anthocyanins (ACNs) are a class of flavonoids that give many fruits and vegetables their red, blue, or purple coloration. The color of ACNs, as well as their stability, is dependent on the pH of the environment. ACNs are one of the most common plant bioactive compounds, with more than 600 variations. A bioactive compound is a compound that is not essential to maintain bodily functions but has pronounced effects on living tissue. ACNs are examples of bioactive food components that exhibit anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory activity and can counter carcinogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. This chapter will provide a discussion of the characteristics, synthesis, and bioavailability of ACNs, as well as their digestion and excretion pathways. It also discusses their anti-inflammatory and proapoptotic properties that influence several diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Finally, we discuss the new frontiers in ACN research. 1
