Anthocyanins
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Anthocyanins (Anthocyanins (glycosylated anthocyanidins — cyanidin, delphinidin, petunidin, peonidin, malvidin, pelargonidin)) is a dietary supplement with 23 published peer-reviewed studies involving 94,132 participants, researched for Blood Pressure & Endothelial Function, LDL Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk, Systematic reviews and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Blood Pressure & Endothelial Function
StrongLDL Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk
StrongSystematic reviews
WeakClinical trials
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Blood Pressure & Endothelial Function
To evaluate bilberry and blackcurrant anthocyanins on blood pressure and endothelial function.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate bilberry and blackcurrant anthocyanins on blood pressure and endothelial function.
Dose
320 mg/day anthocyanin extract (bilberry + blackcurrant)
Participants
93 healthy adults with mildly elevated blood pressure
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Anthocyanin supplementation significantly improved FMD (+2.1%) and reduced SBP (−4.7 mmHg) and DBP (−2.8 mmHg). Plasma nitrite increased, indicating enhanced NO bioavailability. Oxidised LDL was reduced, supporting dual antioxidant and vascular benefits.
How They Measured It
FMD, SBP, DBP, plasma nitrite (NO bioavailability), oxidised LDL
To assess the effects of a purified anthocyanin extract on cardiovascular risk markers in Chinese patients with dyslipidaemia.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess the effects of a purified anthocyanin extract on cardiovascular risk markers in Chinese patients with dyslipidaemia.
Dose
160 mg anthocyanin extract twice daily (320 mg/day)
Participants
150 patients with dyslipidaemia
Duration
24 weeks
Results
Anthocyanin extract significantly reduced LDL-C (−12.5%) and raised HDL-C (+13.7%) compared to placebo. LDL oxidation lag time was prolonged (indicating reduced LDL oxidation). Blood pressure and FMD improved significantly. This landmark trial confirmed multiple cardiovascular benefits of anthocyanins.
How They Measured It
LDL-C, HDL-C, TC, TG, LDL oxidation lag time, FMD, blood pressure
To quantify the effects of anthocyanin supplementation on blood pressure in randomised controlled trials.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To quantify the effects of anthocyanin supplementation on blood pressure in randomised controlled trials.
Dose
Various (80–960 mg/day anthocyanins)
Participants
Multiple RCTs
Duration
4–24 weeks
Results
Anthocyanins significantly reduced SBP (WMD −4.96 mmHg) and DBP (WMD −2.13 mmHg) in pooled analysis. Effects were more pronounced in hypertensive and older subjects. Higher doses and longer durations produced greater benefits.
How They Measured It
Pooled SBP and DBP from RCTs; subgroup analysis by anthocyanin source and dose
To examine the effects of blueberry anthocyanins on blood pressure, platelet function, and endothelial markers in healthy adults.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To examine the effects of blueberry anthocyanins on blood pressure, platelet function, and endothelial markers in healthy adults.
Dose
166 g/day wild blueberry equivalent (~387 mg anthocyanins/day)
Participants
40 healthy adults
Duration
6 weeks
Results
Blueberry anthocyanins significantly reduced ambulatory SBP and DBP, inhibited platelet aggregation, and improved FMD. Monocyte adhesion molecules (VCAM-1, ICAM-1) were reduced, indicating anti-atherogenic effects at the endothelial level.
How They Measured It
Ambulatory blood pressure, platelet aggregation, FMD, monocyte adhesion molecules
LDL Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk
To assess the effects of anthocyanin supplementation on LDL oxidation and lipid profile in coronary artery disease patients.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess the effects of anthocyanin supplementation on LDL oxidation and lipid profile in coronary artery disease patients.
Dose
320 mg/day anthocyanin extract
Participants
75 patients with stable coronary artery disease on statins
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Anthocyanin supplementation significantly reduced oxidised LDL (−14%) and shifted LDL particles toward larger, less atherogenic forms. HDL-C improved. TC and TG were modestly reduced. Results support anthocyanins as a complement to statin therapy for residual cardiovascular risk.
How They Measured It
Oxidised LDL, LDL particle size, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, TG
To evaluate anthocyanin supplementation effects on cholesterol levels including LDL-C and HDL-C.
Study Type
Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Purpose
To evaluate anthocyanin supplementation effects on cholesterol levels including LDL-C and HDL-C.
Dose
Various (80–640 mg/day)
Participants
Multiple RCTs
Duration
4–24 weeks
Results
Anthocyanins significantly reduced LDL-C (WMD −8.6 mg/dL) and raised HDL-C (WMD +3.7 mg/dL) in pooled analysis. TC was reduced and TG showed modest improvement. Effects were stronger in dyslipidaemic vs normolipidaemic participants.
How They Measured It
Pooled LDL-C, HDL-C, TC, TG from eligible RCTs
To assess anthocyanins from bilberry on markers of metabolic syndrome including cholesterol and blood pressure.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess anthocyanins from bilberry on markers of metabolic syndrome including cholesterol and blood pressure.
Dose
400 mg/day bilberry anthocyanins
Participants
120 adults with metabolic syndrome
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Bilberry anthocyanins significantly reduced TC (−9%), LDL-C (−11%), and SBP (−7 mmHg) vs placebo. Fasting glucose and TG also improved. HDL-C increased by +8%. Multiple metabolic syndrome criteria improved simultaneously, making anthocyanins valuable for this high-risk population.
How They Measured It
TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, TG, blood pressure, fasting glucose, waist circumference
To examine the association between dietary anthocyanin intake and risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality.
Study Type
Prospective cohort study
Purpose
To examine the association between dietary anthocyanin intake and risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality.
Dose
Dietary intake assessed (quartile comparison)
Participants
93,600 adults (Nurses Health Study + Health Professionals Follow-Up Study)
Duration
14 years follow-up
Results
Higher anthocyanin intake was associated with a 12% lower risk of fatal cardiovascular disease. Blueberry and strawberry intake (rich anthocyanin sources) were inversely associated with myocardial infarction risk. Blood pressure was significantly lower in highest vs lowest intake quartile.
How They Measured It
Dietary assessment, incident CVD, cardiovascular mortality, blood pressure, lipids over follow-up
To review and meta-analyse the effects of berry-derived anthocyanins specifically on cardiovascular risk markers.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To review and meta-analyse the effects of berry-derived anthocyanins specifically on cardiovascular risk markers.
Dose
Various berry and anthocyanin preparations
Participants
Multiple RCTs
Duration
4–24 weeks
Results
Berry anthocyanins consistently reduced LDL-C, improved HDL-C, lowered blood pressure, and improved FMD in meta-analyses. Effects on CRP and inflammatory markers were also significant. Berries with higher anthocyanin content produced larger effect sizes.
How They Measured It
LDL-C, HDL-C, TC, TG, blood pressure, CRP, FMD from berry RCTs
Systematic reviews
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in effect of dietary anthocyanins on the risk factors related to metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in effect of dietary anthocyanins on the risk factors related to metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Dose
Anthocyanins (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
This meta-analysis aims to systematically investigate whether dietary anthocyanin supplementation can reduce metabolic syndrome (MetS)-related risk factors: abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia (low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and hypertriglyceridemia), hypertension, and hyperglycemia by conducting a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in efficacy and safety of dietary polyphenol supplements for copd: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in efficacy and safety of dietary polyphenol supplements for copd: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Dose
Anthocyanins (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
rogeneity in intervention outcomes across randomized controlled trials. This systematic investigation employs a triple-blind, placebo-controlled design to rigorously evaluate the clinical efficacy of standardized oral polyphenol supplementation in COPD patients (GOLD stages II-III), incorporating advanced biomarkers including 8-isoprostane quantification and pulmonary function trajectory analysis.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in anthocyanins in the treatment of alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in anthocyanins in the treatment of alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies.
Dose
Anthocyanins (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
To comprehensively evaluate the therapeutic potential of anthocyanins in animal models of Alzheimer's disease (AD).
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in a systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of cornus mas l. on anthropometric indices and body composition.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in a systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of cornus mas l. on anthropometric indices and body composition.
Dose
Anthocyanins (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
size was > 50, the lyophilized dried and CM fruit extract forms were used, intervention duration was < 12 weeks, and doses were ≥ 30 g. Future research should prioritize well-designed, long-term follow-up RCTs investigating CM as an adjunct therapy to multimodal lifestyle interventions, focusing on both anthropometric indices and biochemical markers.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in a meta-analysis and systematic review of plant growth regulator use in blueberry production.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in a meta-analysis and systematic review of plant growth regulator use in blueberry production.
Dose
Anthocyanins (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
ns revealed that gibberellic acid (GA 3 ) and cytokinins (CKs) increase fruit set, CKs increase berry size, abscisic acid (ABA) and GA 3 do not influence berry size, GA 3 increases yield, and ABA does not enhance anthocyanin concentration. As global blueberry production continues to expand globally, PGR use will likely increase to address production issues and sustain production and fruit quality.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in the effect of anthocyanin supplementation on pro-inflammatory biomarkers in patients with metabolic disorders: a grade-assessed systematic review and
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in the effect of anthocyanin supplementation on pro-inflammatory biomarkers in patients with metabolic disorders: a grade-assessed systematic review and
Dose
Anthocyanins (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
Patients with metabolic disorders benefit from using anthocyanins. Nevertheless, the findings drawn from extant trials remain contentious. Thus, this meta-analysis evaluated anthocyanin's effect on inflammatory biomarkers in patients with metabolic disorders.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in antidiabetic effect of cyanidin-3-glucoside: a systematic review of animal studies.
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in antidiabetic effect of cyanidin-3-glucoside: a systematic review of animal studies.
Dose
3G
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
Despite the effectiveness of conventional antidiabetic agents, limitations still remain, necessitating the use of alternative treatment options in the management of diabetes. Some preliminary studies report the antidiabetic effects of cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G). However, there is a paucity of comprehensive evidence on this.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in effects of anthocyanins on human health: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in effects of anthocyanins on human health: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Dose
Anthocyanins (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
: Anthocyanins may exert positive effects on human health across multiple dimensions. As naturally occurring polycyclic phenolic metabolites, these compounds exhibit translational potential for disease prevention and health promotion; however, the current evidence supporting these effects is often limited in quality, necessitating cautious interpretation and further research.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
Clinical trials
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in jaboticaba peel intake improved cognitive performance, inflammatory response, and appetite regulation in healthy adults: a randomized clinical crossov
Study Type
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in jaboticaba peel intake improved cognitive performance, inflammatory response, and appetite regulation in healthy adults: a randomized clinical crossov
Dose
Anthocyanins (dose not specified)
Participants
8 participants
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
lt; 0.01). Furthermore, JPP significantly improved subjective appetite (∼10 %, p < 0.05) and enhanced postprandial selective attention after 45 min (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that jaboticaba peel may provide anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cognitive benefits in healthy individuals, supporting its potential as a functional food ingredient.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in maternal dietary anthocyanidin, dietary inflammatory potential, and risk of small-for-gestational-age in china.
Study Type
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in maternal dietary anthocyanidin, dietary inflammatory potential, and risk of small-for-gestational-age in china.
Dose
39.7 g
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
Higher anthocyanidin intake was inversely associated with SGA, especially among women with higher EDII scores.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in purified anthocyanins indicated no significant effect on arterial stiffness, four-limb blood pressures and cardiovascular risk-a 12-week dose-response
Study Type
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in purified anthocyanins indicated no significant effect on arterial stiffness, four-limb blood pressures and cardiovascular risk-a 12-week dose-response
Dose
640 mg
Participants
46 participants
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
The 12-week randomized controlled trial among Chinese middle-aged and elderly adults with dysglycemia showed multiple dosages of anthocyanins had no significant impacts on arterial stiffness and cardiovascular risk.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in synergistic effects of microencapsulated polyphenols and concurrent training on metabolic health and fitness in overweight/obese adults with prediabet
Study Type
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in synergistic effects of microencapsulated polyphenols and concurrent training on metabolic health and fitness in overweight/obese adults with prediabet
Dose
Anthocyanins (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
8 weeks
Results
: These findings highlight that combining concurrent training with microencapsulated polyphenol supplementation produced the most consistent improvements across metabolic, inflammatory, and fitness outcomes, supporting this combined approach as an integrated and synergistic strategy to reduce diabetes risk and promote overall health in at-risk adults. The trial was registered at the Thai Clinical
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in new zealand blackcurrant extract has no effect on physiological and cardiovascular responses during low-intensity sustained intermittent isometric con
Study Type
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in new zealand blackcurrant extract has no effect on physiological and cardiovascular responses during low-intensity sustained intermittent isometric con
Dose
Anthocyanins (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
ckcurrant (NZBC) extract for 7 days showed beneficial effects on cardiovascular function at rest and during moderate and high-intensity exercise. The effects of 4- and 7-day intake of 600 mg of NZBC extract on cardiovascular function, femoral artery diameter, muscle force, muscle activity and muscle fatigue during low-intensity sustained intermittent isometric contractions were examined.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in effects of blueberry supplementation on depression and anxiety symptoms in a rural louisiana population.
Study Type
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Anthocyanins in effects of blueberry supplementation on depression and anxiety symptoms in a rural louisiana population.
Dose
24 g
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
12 weeks
Results
: Overall, this study found potential improvements in symptoms of depression and anxiety following daily blueberry supplementation, although the biochemical mechanisms underlying these behavioral improvements remain unresolved.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Anthocyanins research
There are currently 23 peer-reviewed studies on Anthocyanins (Anthocyanins (glycosylated anthocyanidins — cyanidin, delphinidin, petunidin, peonidin, malvidin, pelargonidin)), involving 94,132 total participants. Research covers Blood Pressure & Endothelial Function, LDL Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk, Systematic reviews and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (12 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Anthocyanins has been researched for: Blood Pressure & Endothelial Function, LDL Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk, Systematic reviews, Clinical trials. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 12 out of 23 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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