Anthocyanins and blood clotting markers in 26 healthy people
What it found
Taking anthocyanins for 28 days reduced several measures of blood platelet activity in 26 healthy people.
The authors suggest this might lower the chance of unwanted blood clots.
What they found
Studies in people
Less platelet clumping
After 28 days, platelets were less likely to clump together when stimulated in lab tests on the participants' blood samples.
Lower P-selectin levels
Lab analysis of the blood showed a clear drop in a surface marker called P-selectin, which signals platelet activation.
Smaller platelet size
Blood tests showed a meaningful decrease in the average size of the platelets after the four weeks.
Lower fibrinogen
Clotting tests on the blood revealed a drop in fibrinogen, a protein involved in forming clots.
What the authors conclude
- They found that taking anthocyanins lowered platelet activity, platelet clumping and average platelet size in their group.
- The authors suggest these changes could help reduce the risk of blood clots.
How it was done
Overactive blood platelets can start the process that leads to blocked blood vessels and heart disease. The researchers wanted to see if anthocyanins change how platelets behave and affect blood fats.
Twenty-six healthy adults aged 25 to 75 took 320 mg of anthocyanins daily as capsules for 28 days. Fasting blood samples were taken before and after to measure platelet activity, clotting factors and other blood markers.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This was a small study of 26 people with no comparison group taking a dummy pill. It cannot prove that anthocyanins alone caused the changes seen.
- The study measured blood markers rather than actual heart attacks or strokes. Scientists do not yet know if these marker changes prevent real clotting events over time.
The paper
- Title
- Anthocyanin Supplementation Alleviates Antithrombotic Risk by Inhibiting Platelet Activity in Humans
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Gaiz A, Kundur AR, Nikbakht E, et al (2022). Anthocyanin Supplementation Alleviates Antithrombotic Risk by Inhibiting Platelet Activity in Humans. Alternative therapies in health and medicine.PubMed 33789251
Summary written 30 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error