Purple Carrots: The New Super Food

MOVE over blueberries, carrots are the new super food. But not just any old carrot; purple ones. Purple carrots are in fact an ancient variety and have been depicted in tombs in Egypt. Purple was one of the original colours of carrots grown in Persia long before the Dutch decided they preferred orange.


The unusual colour comes from anthocyanin, a powerful antioxidant, also found in blueberries and is the key to its incredible health benefits now being researched and commercially tapped into. Professor Lindsay Brown from the University of Southern Queensland discovered the purple variety is packed with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

After feeding rats a diet designed to mimic that of the average western person, high in fat and carbohydrates for eight weeks the rats grew fat, developed high blood pressure, became glucose intolerant and suffered liver and heart damage. While remaining on the diet for a further eight weeks purple carrot juice was also introduced. Miraculously the rat's health returned to normal as did their weight Dr Red Technical Director, biochemist Greg Jardine, says purple carrots are the world's healthiest food. "Weight loss and blood pressure trials are now underway at the Wesley Research Institute and we have just launched, purple carrot crystals to combat arthritis."