Tomatoes are a staple in meals because they offer many nutritional benefits. In 2022, the USDA approved the sale of purple tomatoes. Researchers created it with genetic modification. 

Researchers created it because they wanted a tomato with a good source of nutrients and anthocyanins. They believe the existence of these tomatoes rich in nutrients will reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease, dementia, Alzheimer’s, and cancer.

Scientists suspect it could be one of the best sources of antioxidants among fruits and vegetables. An example of a purple tomato is the indigo rose. Researchers at Oregon State University created it using conventional crossing and selection techniques.

Purple lettuce is a low-calorie vegetable with a dark purple shade. It contains enough water to keep your body hydrated and reduces the risk of heart disease. It can help lower blood pressure. Also, purple lettuce has vitamins A and K. 

Research shows that purple lettuce has the potential to prevent metabolic disorders. During the research, they found that it reduced weight gain by reducing the accumulation of fat mass and increasing energy output. 

This purple vegetable also improves insulin sensitivity and lipid profile. Overall, purple lettuce is a nutritious addition to a healthy diet.

The first fruit on our list of purple fruits is passion fruit. It is a tropical fruit native to South America, Australia, South Africa, and India. There are many species of this purple variety. This purple fruit with a soft pulp and seeds in a hard rind has a lot of antioxidants and nutrients. 

Passion fruit has a significant amount of fiber, niacin, potassium, magnesium, iron, and vitamins. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and helps reduce cellular stress. Lastly, passion fruit keeps blood pressure stable. It doesn’t increase blood sugar after consumption, making it the purple fruit suitable for diabetic people3.

Acai berries grow on the acai palm tree, a plant native to Central and South America. It is an important food source for the indigenous people of the Amazon area. The fruit has a deep purple color, and edible seeds make up 80% of the fruit. 

Consuming these purple fruits can improve brain health and cognitive function, thus reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's disease. It contains anthocyanin antioxidants that help reduce the risk of heart disease. Acai berries can prevent cancer cell growth by inducing the death of cancer cells and preventing cancer cell invasion1.

Blueberries are among the most commercial berries in the world. Their colors range from indigo to dark purple. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a cup of fresh blueberries contains 0.41 mg of iron, 14.4 mg of vitamin C, 3.6 g of fiber, 21.5 g of carbohydrates, 1.1 g of protein, and 8.88 mg of calcium. 

Blueberries have a high concentration of antioxidants known as polyphenols, anthocyanin, and flavonoids. Adding this purple fruit to your meals can improve your health drastically. Research shows it may improve symptoms of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and diabetes.

Plums are sweet and juicy fruits belonging to the same family as apricots, peaches, and nectarines. There are various colors of plums, but we’ll be discussing plums with purple flesh. There are different ways to consume plums. Some turn them into jam, eat them raw, or make dried plums for easy preservation. 

The indigenous people of Australia use plum fruits and some parts of plum trees to treat problems like mosquito bites, skin sores, flu, colds, and headaches. Plums are rich in Vitamin that help your body heal, heal blood vessels, and build muscle. This purple fruit also improves digestive health by preventing constipation with its natural sugar alcohol acting as a natural laxative.

Purple star apples are also known as caimito or cainito. The apple got its name from the shape formed by the seeds inside it. Star apples are delicious. They have a pulpy and jelly-like texture. Some compare its taste to applesauce and grapes grown in tropical areas. 

The star apple is a close relative of egg fruit, mamey, sapote, and sapodilla. You can purchase purple star apples at Hispanic and Asian markets in the United States. They are also available at farmer's markets in areas that grow these purple fruits.

Mangosteen is a small fruit that grows in Southeast Asia. It has a purple color and juicy white insides.  People from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines eat it raw like other fruits, juice it, and use it as traditional medicine.  

Unfortunately, it is difficult to get mangosteen in the United States because the mangosteen tree needs to grow in tropical areas and requires lots of time to mature. This purple fruit is beneficial for human consumption because it contains diverse nutrients and can reduce inflammation and other health risks.

Purple grapes are native to regions with cold temperatures. They have thick skin, many seeds, and a strong flavor. Concord grapes are rich in anthocyanins, an antioxidant responsible for their purple color. Most people usually consume them in juice and jam forms.

International Orangutan Day highlights the direct effects of our actions on the gentle giants of the treetops. Their actual populations have dwindled over the past 60 years, with over half being lost largely due to the encroachment of the palm oil industry in their native habitats like Borneo and Sumatra. 

Worrying still, we have to consider that their numbers might be lower than what we know, with the rapid clearing of forests for palm oil plantations. This day serves as a call to action - to individuals, communities, and policymakers - to seriously address the dire situation these forest dwellers face in their homes.

By observing this day, we're reminded of the interplay of different life forms on our planet and why biodiversity matters for the health of our Earth.

Fun Facts about Orangutans

Orangutans are the world's largest arboreal mammals. They spend 90% of their time in trees, using their long arms to swing from branch to branch.
These red apes can use tools in the wild, such as sticks, to extract honey or insects from trees and learn sign language.
Female orangutans have the longest interbirth interval of any land mammal. Female orangutans give birth to one baby at a time and wait up to eight years between pregnancies.