Logo Marca Perú
  • Blog Peru
  • News
  • ES
    EN
Brand Peru
Start About Licensee Program Film in Peru Campaigns Ambassadors Amigos del Perú Blog News
Foreign Trade
Start Superfoods Peru Alpaca del Perú Coffees from Peru Pisco Spirit of Peru Commercial Offices of Peru Blog News
Tourism
Start World Heritage Wonder of the modern world Blog News
Gastronomy
Start Natives Products Regional Peruvian Cuisine Restaurants in the world Awards Blog News
Investments
Start Business Blog News Contact
Talent
Start Art and culture Fashion Music Movies Sports Blog News
Tools
Toolkit

Tags:

Blog Peru
News

Suggested results

 en Tourism
 en Foreign Trade
 en Gastronomy
 en Investments
 en Talent
HomeGASTRONOMYNews
7
NATIVES PRODUCTS

Purple corn: the most potent antioxidant is from Peru

Virgilio Martínez, propietario de Central y embajador de la Mar

Posted on: 25/09/2017

Share
Share
Tweeting

Peru is known for being an important repository of highly nutritional foods. Not least among them is purple corn, a product of the Peruvian Andes that is considered a powerful natural antioxidant. It is now in high demand around the globe, positioning our country as one of the main growers and exporters of this ancient purple grain.

The crop is unique among Peruvian grains because it is rich in anthocyanin, a powerful natural antioxidant that can prevent or slow the oxidation of molecules, which helps tissue regenerate and skin stay youthful, and wards off degenerative eye conditions and cardiovascular diseases by eliminating cholesterol and improving circulation.

Anthocyanins – the purple or bluish vegetable plant pigments found in the kernels and cobs of purple corn – help prevent cataracts, glaucoma and conjunctivitis. These compounds also have hemostatic properties because they help staunch blood flow and stop nosebleeds.

An ally in the fight against illnesses

Because of its medicinal qualities, purple corn is considered a natural aide against various ailments. Its macro-nutrients – 11% protein, 3.3% oil and 80% starch – produce energy the body needs, thus strengthening the immune system. This Andean grain also contains phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, riboflavin, niacin, ascorbic acid and anthocyanins. These micro-nutrients help keep the body healthy and so keep obesity, diabetes and arthritis at bay.

Eating purple corn stimulates collagen growth, regulates blood pressure, cleanses the body of toxins, reduces inflammation and lowers the risk of cancer. However, large quantities of the food are not recommended for pregnant women because it could affect the pregnancy.

A kernel from Peru that astonishes the world

This ancient crop has found eager buyers on the international market, especially in countries like the United States, Ecuador, Spain, Italy and Japan, among others. The high demand reflects its many natural properties and has turned Peru into one of the world’s leading growers and exporters.

Progress is being made towards improving the yields, processing and trade of this Andean grain to achieve a better and larger supply for export to satiate the international market’s appetite for the product.

A culinary treasure

Peru’s cuisine, shaped by a long history of culinary fusion through cultural exchange, is without question held to be among the world’s finest. Its magic lies in appreciating the value of and bringing together natural products and making them into true delicacies relished around the globe. A case in point is purple corn, an ingredient used in the exquisite mazamorra morada, a Peruvian dessert made from this ingredient served with apples and quince. This traditional sweet is prepared during the month of the Lord of Miracles feast.

Peruvians have managed to impress even the most discriminating palettes with the purple corn beverage chicha morada and have also invented pisco-based cocktails called chicha sour, among others.

Purple corn continues to surprise the world with its many medicinal uses and its use by chefs alike. More and more people have access to this natural product and can benefit from its virtues.

Find out more:

The best avocado in the world comes from Peru and is called Hass

Return to

What's New in ...

Most read in ...

Find more news here

Related Articles

Gastronomy

Yacon: 6 benefits of consuming this domesticated root from the Peruvian Andes

View new >>

Gastronomy

Camu Camu: discover the benefits of the fruit with the highest source of vitamin C on the planet.

View new >>

Gastronomy

Discover the aguaymanto, one of the best foods produced in Peru

View new >>

Gastronomy

5 delicious ways to enjoy chirimoya fruit

View new >>
Tags
Return to

BRAND PERU

Start

About

Licensee Program

Film in Peru

Campaigns

Ambassadors

Amigos del Perú

Blog

News

FOREIGN TRADE

Start

Superfoods Peru

Alpaca del Perú

Coffees from Peru

Pisco Spirit of Peru

Commercial Offices of Peru

Blog

News

TOURISM

Start

World Heritage

Wonder of the modern world

Blog

News

GASTRONOMY

Start

Natives Products

Regional peruvian cuisine

Restaurants in the world

Awards

Blog

News

INVESTMENTS

Start

Business

Blog

News

Contact

TALENT

Start

Art and culture

Fashion

Music

Movies

Sports

Blog

News

Logo MINCETUR
Logo Promperú Logo Marca Perú