The Power of Purple: Health Benefits of

Polyphenols and How To Get More In the Diet

June 20, 2017

Today’s Speakers

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Alex Caspero MA, RD, CLT, RYTTaylor C. Wallace, PhD, CFS, FACN

Learning Objectives

• Identify the properties of polyphenols and the food sources

where you can find them

• Articulate the research behind the health benefits of foods

delivering polyphenols, like anthocyanins

• Help families get more purple-hued foods and beverages into

their diets with culinary tips and tools

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Polyphenols Behind the Power of

Purple Foods

Taylor C. Wallace, PhD, CFS, FACN

4

Disclosures

• Think Healthy Group, Inc.

• George Mason University

• Journal of the American College of Nutrition

• Dr. Taylor Wallace – Food & Nutrition Blog

• Tone Media and NBC Universal

5

Presentation Outline

• Nutrition Facts Panel

• Polyphenols

• Anthocyanins – My Love in Life!

• Health Benefits of Foods that Deliver Anthocyanins

– Case Study: The Concord Grape

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Nutrition Facts Panel

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• Lists amounts of essential nutrients by law.

• No labeling of bioactives (i.e., phytonutrients) like polyphenols.

• Supplements can label the amount of a bioactive present.

Current and New Food Label

from FDA Website.

Dietary Bioactive Compounds

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• Often referred to as phytonutrients.

• Compounds that are constituents in foods and dietary

supplements, other than those needed to meet basic human

nutritional needs, which are responsible for changes in

health status.

– NIH, Federal Register, Vol 69, No. 179: Sept. 16, 2004, pp 55821-2.

– Examples include carotenoids, polyphenols, sulfonamides,

glucosinolates and etc.

Polyphenols

• Abundant bioactives (i.e., phytonutrients) found in plants.

– Flavonoids are a major class of polyphenols

(over 7,000 identified).

• Their ring structure gives them the ability to promote

overall health.

• The gut microbiota often ferment

or metabolize polyphenols into

smaller compounds that have

health promoting properties.

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Polyphenols in Plants

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Hydroxy-benzoic

Acids

Hydroxy-cinnamic

AcidsFlavonoids Stilbenes Lignans

Flavonols Flavones FlavanolsAnthocyanins FlavanonesIsoflavones

Proanthocyanidins

Polyphenols

Anthocyanins

• The orange-red to blue-violet pigments in many plants

(anthos = flower; kyanos = blue)

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Anthocyanins

• Plant compounds formed in response to

environmental stress.

– UV light

– Frost

– Soil acidity

– Deter insects

– Pollination attractants

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Anthocyanins

• Members of the flavonoid family.

– (C6-C3-C6) skeleton

• Positive charge allows them

to absorb light in the visible

region.

• Their ring structure enables

them to promote health.

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Anthocyanins1

• > 700 anthocyanins identified

– 96% are glycosylated

– Approximately 50% are acylated

• 27 anthocyanidins (aglycons)

– 6 are predominant in nature and

make up 90% of those identified

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Anthocyanins1,2

• Stomach is major

absorption site.

– Anthocyanins tightly bind

to proteins like bilirubin.

• Anthocyanins and their

breakdown/metabolic

products can be found in

vascular tissue and

cross the blood-brain

barrier.

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Anthocyanins3

• Average intake of anthocyanins by U.S.

adults is estimated to be 11.6 mg/d

– 31% of adults have zero intake.

• Top sources of purple foods in the

U.S. diet include:

– Berries

– Wine

– Grapes

– Purple Vegetables

– 100% Grape Juice

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Anthocyanins and Heart Health4

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Quintile Median Intake

of Anthocyanins

(mg/d)

Men Women All

1 3.8 (<5.5) 1.00 (-) 1.00 (-) 1.00 (-)

2 6.8 (5.5-8.1) 0.83 (0.70, 0.97) 0.79 (0.67, 0.94) 0.77 (0.69, 0.87)

3 9.8 (8.2-11.4) 0.82 (0.71, 0.96) 0.73 (0.62, 0.88) 0.77 (0.68, 0.86)

4 13.7 (11.5-16.6) 0.78 (0.67, 0.91) 0.67 (0.56, 0.80) 0.74 (0.66, 0.83)

5 22.2 (>16.7) 0.72 (0.62-0.84) 0.72 (0.61, 0.86) 0.72 (0.64, 0.80)

P-trend 0.0002 0.002 <0.0001

CPII Nutrition Cohort

Anthocyanins and Heart Health

• Systematic Review5

– Healthy individuals experienced consistent but non-

significant improvements in total cholesterol, LDL-

cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides across studies.

– Hyperlipidemic individuals experienced consistent and

significant decreases in LDL-cholesterol with consistent but

non-significant improvements in total cholesterol, HDL-

cholesterol and triglycerides.

– No effect of on blood pressure.

– ~30-35 mg/d seems to be the sweet spot.

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Anthocyanins and Heart Health

(LDL-Cholesterol)5

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Anthocyanins and Heart Health

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Purified Anthocyanins

• Anthocyanins

repaired

damage induced

by adding an

inflammatory

agent to human

endothelial cells.5

Case Study: The Concord grape

• Thick skin

• Crunchy seeds

• Bold flavor

• In season 4-6 weeks in fall

• Can be hard to find fresh

• Used in 100% grape juice

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Polyphenols in Concord Grapes

• Three classes of polyphenols are in the

Concord grape:

– Phenolic Acids

– Flavonoids

• Anthocyanins

• Proanthocyanidins

– Stilbenes

The Power is in the Purple

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Squeezing the Goodness of the Grape

• 100% grape juice maximizes the polyphenol potential of

the Concord grape.

– Whole Concord grapes are crushed – skin, seeds and all – and

heated to help release polyphenols.

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Heart-Health Benefits of Concord Grapes

• Studies indicate Concord grapes may:

– Help support flexible arteries to promote healthy blood flow.

– Have an anti-clotting effect like red wine.

– Play a role in healthy blood pressure in certain populations.

• Nearly 20 years’ worth of research indicates that, thanks

to the Concord grape, 100% grape juice helps support

a healthy heart.6-18

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100% Grape Juice:Helps Support Healthy Circulation

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Research has shown how the Concord grape benefits heart

health by promoting healthy circulation.7,8,10,13,18,19

• Studies indicate that Concord grapes may stimulate nitric oxide

(NO) production.7,10,19

– Increased NO leads to vasodilation, or the widening of the

arteries.

• A new study showed that circulation was improved when healthy

men and women drank 100% grape juice each day for 4 weeks vs.

when they drank a sugar sweetened beverage (placebo).18

Emerging Research: Concord Grapes & Cognitive Health

Preliminary research suggests Concord grapes may help

promote a healthy cognition.20-25

• A pilot study of 12 older adults with early memory impairment found that

daily Concord grape juice consumption resulted in improved verbal

learning and memory measures.20

• Another study showed that Concord grape juice drinkers had increased

blood flow in two regions of the brain involved in working memory,

compared to a placebo.21

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New Concord Grape Science: Cognitive Health in Younger Adults25

Study Design:

• Subjects: 25 healthy, 40- to 50-year-old working women with pre-

teen children

• Test beverages: 12-oz./day of Concord grape juice and a placebo

(grape-flavored, added sugar drink)

Key Outcomes:

• Significant improvement in immediate spatial memory and driving

performance were seen when moms drank grape juice daily vs.

placebo.

• This shows for the first time that grape juice’s early cognitive benefits

may extend beyond older adults.

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To Summarize

• Polyphenols are plant nutrients that you won’t find on a

Nutrition Facts Panel.

• Anthocyanins are a class of polyphenols that give foods

their purple hue.

• 100% grape juice made with Concord grapes is a

convenient way to get anthocyanins and other

polyphenols.

• 100% grape juice can help support a healthy heart and

may offer other heath benefits.

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Thank You!

Taylor C. Wallace, PhD, CFS, FACN

Phone: 270-839-1776

Email: taylor.wallace@me.com

Website: www.thinkhealthygroup.com

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Harnessing the Power of Purple

in the Diet

Alexandra Caspero, MA, RD, CLT, RYT

Disclosures

• PBH Everyday Chef

• Welch’s

• Other commodity/produce clients

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Produce Trends

• Overall, fruit & vegetable consumption low and on the decline26

Fruit Intake in America

Families Are Not Meeting Fruit Group Goals

• The average American consumes only 1 cup,

or 50%, of recommended fruit servings

each day, including 100% fruit juice27

• Children ages 1-8 are the only population

meeting fruit recommendations – in part,

because they are enjoying all forms28

– 100% juice accounts for 40% of

their total fruit intake

• The percent of children and teens meeting

fruit goals (based on whole fruit alone) is

low and decreases with age

Fruit Intake & 100% Fruit Juice

100% Fruit Juice Helps Fill the Gap

• When 100% fruit juice is added to

whole fruit intake, the proportion of

children and teens meeting

recommended goals doubles, and

triples for some age groups27

• Adding all forms to the diet can help

children and teens meet fruit goals

and establish healthy habits that

track into adulthood

Amount and Variety Matters

• Variety of colorful produce =

variety of plant nutrients

• 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines

for Americans call attention to

dark green and red/orange

vegetables, but all colors, of

both fruits and vegetables

are important

Variety of Color Matters

• Encourage a variety of colors since

each offers various plant nutrients

which are linked with different

pigments, for example:30,31

– Red: Lycopene

– Orange/Yellow: Beta-carotene

– Green: Lutein

– Blue/purple: Anthocyanins

Many Americans Know They

Should Care About Color but…32

• Only 32% often seek to include colorful produce in their diet.

• Why? It could be because 44% don’t know or aren’t sure that specific colors of produce offer unique health benefits.

• When it comes to purple, although 73% of Americans know purple produce is an option, only 18% can name more than three purple fruits or vegetables.

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Blue/Purple Color Group

• Only 3% of produce intake comes

from the blue/purple group.33

• Purple has unique plant nutrients

to benefit health.

− Purple is a cue that fruits and

vegetables – in all of their forms –

have certain polyphenols that can

help promote health, especially heart

health.

− In general, the darker the purple hue

the more polyphenols you’ll find.

How Can We Boost Intake of Purple?

• Focus on whole fruit and vegetables

• Look for fresh Concord grapes, if you can find them!

− Short growing season, a few weeks in the fall

− Grow only in certain microclimates

− Very delicate, don’t ship easily

− 100% grape juice is a convenient, year-round way to get the goodness of Concord grapes

Just 4 oz. of 100% grape juice counts as one serving (1/2 cup) of fruit

Contains no added sugar; all sugars come straight from the grape

And don’t forget:

All Forms Matter!

• In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables

(and their juices), all forms of produce

can add purple to the plate

− Frozen

− Dried

− Canned

• Look for no added sugars in the

ingredient list or Nutrition Facts label

RD Tips to Get More Purple

• Use purple cabbage as a slaw or lettuce replacer

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Sunflower Tacos in Collard Leaves

Mandy Enright, MS, RDN, RYT

NutritionNuptuals.com

Spicy + Sweet Cabbage & Radish Slaw with Yuzu Citrus Dressing

Gabriella Vitere, RDN

Macrobalanced.com

RD Tips to Get More Purple

• Embrace eggplant

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Spicy Miso Eggplant

Jessica Cording, MS, RD, CDN

jessicacordingnutrition.com

Quinoa Crusted Eggplant Chickpea Patties

Roxana Begum, PhD, RD

thedeliciouscrescent.com

Tips for Cooking Eggplant

• Eggplant contains saponins

• Fine line between tender and oily

when it comes to cooking eggplant

• Grill or pan-fry by brushing eggplant

with oil right before cooking

• Grill or bake whole eggplant for use in

dips or to add body to pasta sauces,

meatloaf or veggie burgers

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Eggplant Teriyaki Stir-fry with Tofu

Alex Caspero, MA, RD

delishknowledge.com

RD Tips to Get More Purple

• Dress up greens with purple

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Brussels Sprouts with Grape-Honey Glaze

Amy Gorin, MS, RDN

amydgorin.com

Grape and Ginger Braised Kale

Lindsey Janiero, RDN, LDN, CLC

nutritiontofit.com

RD Tips to Get More Purple

• Boost flavor with 100% grape juice and figs in smoothie bowls

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Purple Power Smoothie Bowl

Liz Weiss, MS, RD

lizshealthytable.com

Pumpkin Fig Smoothie Bowl

Karman Meyer

thenutritionadventure.com

More Tricks for Pumping Up Purple

• Swap in 100% grape juice for a flavor and color punch

− Replace water or milk in overnight oats and chia

− Use instead of honey or other liquids in salad dressing

Roasted Fennel, Pear and Arugula

Salad with Balsamic-Grape Dressing

welchs.com/recipesGrape Juice Chia Cups

welchs.com/recipes 46

More Tricks for Pumping Up Purple

• Get saucy!

− Reduce 100% grape juice to use as a

syrup or sauce in savory dishes

− Create a tasty dip or side

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Thai Spring Rolls with

Sweet & Spicy Grape

Dipping Sauce

Jessica Patel, RDN, LDN

Wellfednutrition.co

Poached Pears in Grape Juice

welchs.com/recipes

Spiced Salmon Filets with Grape

Juice Glaze

welchs.com/recipes

More Tricks for Pumping Up Purple

• Make it an easy, everyday habit

− Keep frozen fruits, cooked veggies or

100% grape juice on hand for quick

smoothies

− Stock up with pouches of purple

pureed fruits for on-the-go snacks

− Freeze cubes of 100% grape juice

made with Concord grapes; plunk

into water or unsweetened iced tea for

a refreshing drink with no added sugars

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Concord Grape Ice Cubes

welchs.com/recipes

More Tricks for Pumping Up Purple

• Experiment with new trends

− Make purple zoodles or ribbons with

purple carrots or eggplant

− Switch out a bun or tortilla for a purple

“cabbage wrap”

− Create your own healthy veggie

chips by slicing and baking purple

vegetables (carrots, purple potatoes)

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Thai Slaw Cabbage Wraps

Alex Caspero, MA, RD

delishknowledge.com

Free Resources

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Summary

• Getting enough and a variety of colorful produce is important

• Only 3% of produce intake comes from the blue/purple group

• Purple foods and beverages have health benefits, and polyphenols are behind their natural benefits and purple hue

• 100% grape juice is the best way to get the purple power of the Concord grape

• From sweet to savory, there are many ways to creatively pump up the purple in your diet

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Thank You

Alexandra Caspero, MA, RD

Email: alexandra.caspero@gmail.com

Website: delishknowledge.com

Social Media: @delishknowledge

52

Questions?

Taylor C. Wallace, PhD, CFS, FACN

taylor.wallace@me.com

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Alex Caspero MA, RD, CLT, RYT

alexandra.caspero@gmail.com

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