50 shades of blue: the power of anthocyanins in blue pea (clitoria ternatea) flower

From the garden to your plate, the mesmerizing blue hues of the blue pea flower captivate the eye and offer incredible health benefits. However, beyond their beauty, these vibrant blooms hold the secret to enhancing food preservation and fighting diseases. Lipid oxidation and free radical production are notorious for degrading food quality, leading to unpleasant flavours and shortened shelf life. Moreover, these processes contribute to serious health conditions like atherosclerosis, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer. To combat these issues, antioxidants like anthocyanins — responsible for the striking blue colour of the blue pea flower — can be incorporated into functional foods to prolong the shelf life and boosting health.