A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Anthocyanins in eye health: Multi-target protective mechanisms, bioavailability challenges, and translational perspectives
Authors: Zhao, Dongdong; Rao, Yifan; Tian, Jinlong; Zang, Zhihuan; Quintana, Rodrigo; Yang, Baoru; Li, Yadong; Lang, Yuxi; Zhang, Ying; Li, Bin
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Publication year: 2026
Journal: Food Bioscience
Article number: 109322
Volume: 82
ISSN: 2212-4292
eISSN: 2212-4306
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2026.109322
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: No Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Partially Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2026.109322
The increasing prevalence of digital screen exposure and population aging poses rising threats to ocular health, driving the search for natural multi-target protective agents. Anthocyanins—water-soluble flavonoids abundant in dark-colored fruits and vegetables—have attracted considerable interest for their potential to prevent eye diseases. This review systematically evaluates the multi-dimensional protective mechanisms of anthocyanins, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, improvement of retinal microcirculation, promotion of rhodopsin regeneration and dark adaptation, and neuroprotection of retinal ganglion cells and photoreceptors. The extremely low oral bioavailability of intact anthocyanins is critically discussed, and the role of gut microbiota in converting anthocyanins into bioactive phenolic acid metabolites (e.g., protocatechuic, ferulic, and hippuric acids) is highlighted. The review also addresses structure-activity relationships, food matrix effects, and bioavailability-enhancing strategies such as nanoencapsulation, acylation/methylation, and synergistic combinations with other phytochemicals. Finally, future research directions and translational perspectives for developing anthocyanin-based functional foods and precision nutrition strategies are proposed, providing a comprehensive theoretical basis for leveraging anthocyanins in eye health management.
Keywords:
AMD, functional food, Multi-target eye protection mechanism, Retinal protection
Funding information in the publication:
This work was supported by the China-Chile Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Blueberry (2024021198-JH2/1021) and Liaoning Provincial Key Research and Development Program (2024JH2/102500065).