Possible Effects of Dietary Anthocyanins on Diabetes and Insulin Resistance

Diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions worldwide. Many dietary compounds have been found to exert health beneficial effects against different pathologies including diabetes. Most bioactive compounds have been identified in fruits and vegetables and their mechanisms of action explored both in vitro and in vivo. In particular, great interest has been given to polyphenols and especially to a specific subset of molecules, i.e. anthocyanins. Several lines of evidence suggest that anthocyanins have positive effects on human health by inducing a number of biological activities. This review will give an overview on the influence of dietary anthocyanins on preventing and managing type 2 diabetes. In particular, in vitro and in vivo studies will be presented. The article also reviews the potential clinical impact of the antidiabetic activity of anthocyanins and outlines the major challenges of using anthocyanins for diabetes treatment.