The colours of fruits and vegetables and herbs are not just visually attractive. They signal the presence of nutrients that we know are vital for staying healthy and living longer.
We have long recognised that vitamins and minerals are essential for health, and we have Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for them.
Now health scientists are working to define the optimum amount of these key nutrients. Like vitamins, colour nutrients (including polyphenols) are tiny molecules – and like vitamins it is when you combine them that the real impact on your health happens.
Indeed, we know from recent research1 that combining nutrients from the 4 colour groups - red, green, orange and purple plant foods - is the secret of maximising their effect across all your body systems.
At its simplest:
Orange/Yellow plant foods like carrots and mangoes contain beta-carotene, which supports your vision and immune function.
Red plant foods like tomatoes contain lycopene, which is linked to heart health and cutting the risk of breast and prostate cancer.
Green plant foods like spinach, olives and kale contains chlorophyll, which itself contains antioxidants that help ease inflammation and fight oxidative stress – free radical damage to DNA and cells. Antioxidants help lower your risk for threats like Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Blue/Purple plant foods like blackcurrants, grapes, blueberries and aubergines contain anthocyanins which research shows can help delay cellular aging and support long-term heart and brain health.
In the above we mentioned just 4 colour nutrients; there are many more. They each have different, beneficial health effects.
A new supplement, aptly named DailyColours®, has pioneered research into these colour nutrients. Clinical trials on the supplement at Kings College London and the University of Exeter proves that combining over 150 colour nutrients in a specific way has significant benefits for physical and brain health – and immune function1.
DailyColours® contains a total of 161 colour nutrients.
That was achieved by blending extracts from these 16 selected fruits, vegetables and herbs characteristic of the Mediterranean diet.
There are extracts from 4 red colour plants, 4 green, 4 blue/purple and 4 orange/yellow.
It was the pre-clinical research conducted on DailyColours that revealed that combining nutrients from multiple colour groups had such a powerful synergistic anti-ageing effect.
That discovery was awarded multiple international patents, stating: “DailyColours® “exhibited synergistic activity with respect to a number of markers associated with reduction of age-related decline.”
Of course, there are other factors that make the Mediterranean diet the number one way to eat for healthy ageing. They include high fibre and Omega 3 from oily fish like sardines and salmon. But the DailyColours research is the first to pinpoint colour nutrients as keys to longevity.
Individual research
There is research supporting the health effect of each of the nutrients - including the following selection. As you read the food sources and benefits you will understand why “eating the rainbow” is such good advice!
Quercetin: is a powerful antioxidant found mainly in the skins and leaves of numerous plants including onions, kale and broccoli. It helps prevent many age-related diseases. See: Health Benefits of Quercetin in Age-Related Diseases - PubMed
Luteolin: has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant found in high concentrations in herbs like oregano, thyme, parsley. It has also been researched against inflammatory skin diseases. See: Luteolin as a modulator of skin aging and inflammation - PubMed
Ellagic Acid: is a polyphenol that has powerful anti-inflammation and antioxidant properties. Found in edible nuts, pomegranates, apples, grapes, strawberries and raspberries, studies show that ellagic acid may help alleviate inflammation, decrease cancer cell growth, and protect brain function. See: A Comprehensive Review on Pharmacological Activities of Ellagic Acid and its Applications
Catechins: Research shows in can be beneficial in preventing and protecting against diseases caused by oxidative stress – hence valuable for their cardiovascular, and metabolic effects. Found in green tea, cocoa and fruits like apples and berry fruits. See: The Role of Catechins in Cellular Responses to Oxidative Stress - PubMed
Punicalagins: Exhibit multiple biological effects, including inhibiting production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and helping protect DNA from free-radical action. Found mainly in pomegranates. See: Bioactive potential of punicalagin: A comprehensive review - ScienceDirect
Rosmarinic Acid: Several studies have shown therapeutic benefits against various diseases, including cancer, diabetes, inflammatory disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, and liver diseases. Found largely in herbs like rosemary, sage, peppermint, basil, and lemon balm. See: A Comprehensive Review of Rosmarinic Acid: From Phytochemistry to Pharmacology and Its New Insight
Phloretin: Exhibits several therapeutic properties, such as antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activities. Found in red apples and strawberries. See: Phloretin: a comprehensive review of its potential against diabetes and associated complications | Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology | Oxford Academic
Naringin: Researched as an important natural phytochemical for various disorders such as obesity, cardiac diseases, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Found in citrus fruits, but mainly in grapefruit. See Frontiers | Research progress on the anti-tumor effect of Naringin
Apigenin: apigenin is being researched as a therapeutic agent in anti-tumor immunotherapy. It is also a potent anti-inflammatory. Found in parsley, celery and chamomile. See: Apigenin: A dietary flavonoid with diverse anticancer properties - ScienceDirect
Chlorogenic Acid: Helps reduce inflammation and has been found to help in certain neuro-degenerative diseases. Food sources include coffee berries, tea, blueberries, apples, pears, and tomatoes. See: Chlorogenic Acid’s Role in Metabolic Health: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential
Isorhamnetin: is a flavonol, which is a type of polyphenol. Has been found to have properties that include, helping to reduce blood fat levels, endothelial protection, anti-thrombosis, anti-platelet aggregation, and therefore myocardial protection. Found especially in red and yellow onions. See: Isorhamnetin: A review of pharmacological effects - ScienceDirect
Kaempferol: is a flavonoid, a class of polyphenols. Studies show it helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and may have a senolytic effect ie reduces damaging senescent cells or so called. ‘zombie cells’. Food sources include water cress, rocket, spinach, kale: See Kaempferol, a widely ingested dietary flavonoid and supplement, enhances biological performance via hormesis, especially for ageing-related processes - ScienceDirect
Proanthocyanidins: Antioxidants that may act as chemo-preventive, neuro-protective and anti-inflammatory agents. Found in in the skin of bilberries, cranberries, blueberries, nuts and seeds See: Proanthocyanidins: A comprehensive review - ScienceDirect
Myricetin: providing immunological protection with potential anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-oxidation effects .Found in goji berries, parsley, cranberries, blackcurrants and card. See Myricetin: A comprehensive review on its biological potentials - PMC
Part of a Series
This article is part of series on staying healthy as you get older and improving your quality of life. It’s not only a goal almost everyone shares, but has huge implications on national healthcare spending, productivity and economic resilience.
It strongly recommends the Mediterranean diet as the best way of eating but recognises that maintaining strength and aerobic fitness is also a critical part of a healthy ageing lifestyle.
It also suggests a supplement to help reach the increased plant nutrient levels that you need as you get older.
DailyColours® contains 161 plant nutrients – nutrients that are missing from an ordinary vitamin and mineral pill. Clinical trials show that it offers Mediterranean diet benefits in a daily supplement. You can see it here.
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