With the dramatically increasing prevalence of
obesity and
type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) worldwide, there is an urgent need for new strategies to combat the growing epidemic of these
metabolic diseases. Diet is an essential factor affecting the development of and risk for
obesity and T2DM and it can either help or hurt. In searching for preventative and therapeutic strategies, it is therefore advantageous to consider the potential of certain foods and their bioactive compounds to reverse or prevent the pathogenic processes associated with
metabolic disease.
Anthocyanins are naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds abundant in dark-colored fruits, vegetables and grains. Epidemiological studies suggest that increased consumption of
anthocyanins lowers the risk of T2DM. Many in vitro and in vivo studies also reveal an array of mechanisms through which
anthocyanins could prevent or reverse
obesity- and T2DM-related pathologies including promotion of
antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, improvement of
insulin resistance, and hypolipidemic and
hypoglycemic actions. Here, we summarize the data on
anthocyanin-mediated protection against
obesity and T2DM and the underlying mechanisms. Further population-based and long-term human intervention studies are necessary to ultimately evaluate the use of
anthocyanins for protection/prevention against the development of
obesity and T2DM.