Anthocyanins are a group of flavonoids that are synthesised in plants and responsible for many of the red, blue and purples colours of fruits, particularly berries. Anthocyanins have important health effects in humans. Evidence suggests that certain anthocyanins are bioavailable and they may be absorbed from the small intestine after extensive metabolism. However, there is also evidence that anthocyanins in the diet can pass to the large intestine where they can affect the growth of microorganisms. The amount and type of anthocyanins in the diet can significantly alter the microbiome in humans and this may be one way that they can indirectly affect health. A healthy microbiome is evidenced to be important in the prevention of a number of lifestyle diseases including cardiovascular disease and cancer. Bacteria in the gut may metabolise anthocyanins and other flavonoids to other compounds such as phenolic acids, which may then have certain beneficial health effects when absorbed from the colon.
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