Epidemiology studies anthocyanins

Major limitations in many of the in vitro studies to date have been (1) the use of aglycones, when there is no evidence that the aglycone is absorbed and presented to the tissues, and (2) the use of concentrations well above those observed in plasma. Few studies to date have attempted to measure anthocyanin concentrations in different tissues. Research with anthocyanins has been slowed due to the lack of pure standard compounds, particularly of the anthocyanins and the availability of isoto-pically labeled anthocyanins, labeled so that the label is stable at different pH. Understanding any potential relationships to disease prevention has been limited because of the lack of availability of any database on the food content of anthocyanins. These data are being acquired in the U.S., allowing for estimation of daily intakes of anthocyanins from food intake data and for studying relationships to disease outcome in epidemiology studies. 

The health benefits associated in epidemiologic studies with the consumption of anthocyanin-rich foods contradict the apparent low bioavailability of these... 

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