The Power of Purple

Not only an Instagram star, but purple foods are also great for our health.

If you follow the visual and artistic experience of foods on Instagram, you’ve probably noticed that the color purple is bright and ubiquitous and one of 2017’s favorite growing foodie hashtags is #purplefoods. And while you’ve probably seen a lot of this color in donuts, shakes, toast, and bagels, there’s quite a healthy dose of color in the produce department. 

Scientists have touted the benefits of naturally colored purple produce for anthocyanins thee powerhouse antioxidants found in their natural pigment. Anthocyanins have been proven to help reduce harmful oxygen and protect the body from cancers, aging, degenerative diseases and infections. 

Summertime is a great season to showcase your purple stars in the produce department, and offer up suggestions on how to incorporate these fun foods into your diet. Here are few to consider promoting in your store and on your social media.

Acai is an incredible superfood native to Central and South America, and contains a blend of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and amino acids. Acai berries are found on palm trees that grow between 45 to 90 feet! They are not as sweet as your typical berry, but are a great source of antioxidants, protein, fiber, trace minerals, as well as omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids. Acai is renowned for its protective properties against free radicals as well as boosting cell defense. Acai bowls and smoothies can be a really creative and fun way to get a ton of nutrients in a a smoothie or breakfast bowl.

Plums have been said to have a myriad of benefits including aiding in digestive issues, repairing cell damage, improving hair and skin, combating diabetes, reducing anxiety, aaiding in weight loss, and so much more. Plums are also a great food to promote to children! How about plum tasting stations? 

Purple cabbage, best eaten raw, is a great source of manganese, dietary fiber, potassium, vitamin B1, folate and copper. Additionally, cabbage is a good source of choline, phosphorus, vitamin B2, magnesium, calcium, selenium, iron, pantothenic acid, protein and niacin. It’s also very low in calories. Promote summertime salads with purple cabbage as well as Asian style tacos! 

How about purple cauliflower? Bright and beautiful, this vegetable packs the same powerful antioxidants and makes a fun addition to salads. Cauliflower rice has grown in popularity, and the same approach can be taken with it’s purple version.

For more ideas explore options with beets, eggplant, purple carrots, purple onions, grapes and blackberries! And don’t forget to take photos and showcase on your store’s Instagram.