Anthocyanins and their effects on cells in metabolic syndrome
What it found
Anthocyanins showed effects on fat, gut, liver, blood vessel and inflammatory cells in studies of metabolic diseases.
Evidence was lacking for muscle, platelet and certain other cell types.
What they found
Studies in people
Population studies and trials
Observational studies and nutrition interventions suggest anthocyanins may benefit people with chronic diseases linked to metabolic syndrome. The exact ways they work inside the body remain complex and unclear.
Studies in people and animals
Cells with supporting evidence
The authors found that anthocyanins act on fat cells, blood vessel lining cells, inflammatory cells, liver cells, gut cells and gut bacteria. These effects were seen across the collected studies.
Other findings
Cells needing more research
There was not enough evidence to show effects on platelets, skeletal muscle cells, certain liver cells or insulin-producing pancreas cells. The authors say more work is needed here.
Structure and breakdown products
The authors also looked at how the chemical shape of anthocyanins relates to what they do in the body. They examined the compounds formed when the body breaks them down.
What the authors conclude
- They confirm that anthocyanins affect several key cell types involved in metabolic diseases, including fat, liver and gut cells.
- They note that evidence is still missing for other important cells like muscle and platelet cells.
- They call for further research to clarify these gaps so anthocyanins can be used in clinical settings.
How it was done
Metabolic syndrome can lead to obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and fatty liver disease. The authors wanted to clarify how anthocyanins act on the key cells involved in these conditions.
The authors gathered and examined existing research on anthocyanins and metabolic diseases. They focused on how these plant pigments affect specific cell types and the molecular pathways involved. No new experiments were run for this work.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This work gathers past studies rather than running a controlled trial, so it cannot prove cause and effect.
- Some findings come from cells or animals, which may not match what happens in people eating foods with anthocyanins.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Jinan University, PR China; Guangdong University of Technology, PR China; Jiangnan University, P. R. China
The paper
- Title
- The target cells of anthocyanins in metabolic syndrome
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people · animals · lab
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Jiang X, Li X, Zhu C, et al (2019). The target cells of anthocyanins in metabolic syndrome. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. doi:10.1080/10408398.2018.1491022PubMed 29993258DOI
Summary written 1 Oct 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error