Therapeutic Application of Betalains: A Review.
- 2020-09-17
- Plants (Basel, Switzerland) 9(9)
- Elaheh Madadi
- Sahand Mazloum-Ravasan
- Jae Sik Yu
- Ji Won Ha
- Hamed Hamishehkar
- Ki Hyun Kim
- PubMed: 32957510
- DOI: 10.3390/plants9091219
Study Design
- Type
- Review
Anthocyanins, betalains, riboflavin, carotenoids, chlorophylls and caramel are the basic natural food colorants used in modern food manufacture. Betalains, which are composed of red-violet betacyanin and yellow betaxanthins, are water-soluble pigments that color flowers and fruits. Betalains are pigments primarily produced by plants of the order Caryophyllales. Because of their anti-inflammatory, cognitive impairment, anticancer and anti-hepatitis properties, betalains are useful as pharmaceutical agents and dietary supplements. Betalains also exhibit antimicrobial and antimalarial effects, and as an example, betalain-rich Amaranthus spinosus displays prominent antimalarial activity. Studies also confirmed the antidiabetic effect of betalains, which reduced glycemia by 40% without causing weight loss or liver impairment. These findings show that betalain colorants may be a promising alternative to the synthetic dyes currently used as food additives.
Research Insights
Studies also confirmed the antidiabetic effect of betalains, which reduced glycemia by 40% without causing weight loss or liver impairment.
- Effect
- Beneficial
- Effect size
- Moderate