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2024
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Natural Colors: A Combination of Food and Health?
The application of natural pigments in food is becoming more and more common, which can not only add color to food materials, but also provide nutrition and health benefits. Natural pigments can be derived from plants, animals and microorganisms, with good safety and stability. Here are some of the most common natural pigments and their use in gastronomy and health.
First of all, red natural pigments mainly come from plants, such as lycopene and anthocyanins. Lycopene is an antioxidant with anti-aging, anti-cancer and anti-cardiovascular effects. It can be ingested by eating fresh tomatoes or tomato products such as tomato paste and tomato juice. Anthocyanin is a natural pigment found in blueberries, blackberries and other fruits, which has good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It can be used to make delicacies such as jam, juice and candy, and can also be used as a food additive to provide nutrition.
Secondly, the yellow natural pigments are often derived from carotenoids in plants, such as beta-carotene and lutein. Beta-carotene is a strong antioxidant that is able to strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. It can be found in vegetables such as carrots, pumpkin and bell peppers. Lutein is a natural pigment found in green vegetables and is particularly important for eye health. It can be consumed by eating foods such as spinach, kale and egg yolks. These natural pigments can not only be used as food additives to increase the color of food materials, but also help improve vision and improve immunity.
In addition, purple natural pigments mainly come from plants such as purple sweet potatoes and blueberries, such as anthocyanins. Anthocyanin is a powerful antioxidant with anti-aging, anti-cancer and cholesterol-lowering functions. It can be ingested by eating ingredients such as fresh purple sweet potatoes, blueberries and blackberries. Purple natural pigment can be used to make bread, cakes and drinks and other delicacies, not only enrich the color of food, but also increase the nutrition and health care functions.
In addition, green natural pigments are mainly derived from chlorophyll and algae in plants. Chlorophyll is an important pigment in plants, which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. It can be ingested through the consumption of green leafy vegetables such as spinach, lettuce and field snails. Algaecin is a natural pigment found in algae, which has good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It can be used to make algae food such as seaweed, kelp and spirulina, these ingredients not only have the color of food, but also rich in nutrients.
