Cyanidin and Cyanidin-3-Glucoside (C3G)
Overview
Cyanidin is an anthocyanidin—the underlying structural form of a family of red, purple and blue plant pigments. In foods, it occurs mainly bound to sugars as cyanidin glycosides, rather than as free cyanidin.
Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) is one of the most common dietary forms and the subject of much of the substance-specific research. Evidence from C3G studies is therefore identified as C3G evidence and should not automatically be attributed to free cyanidin or every cyanidin glycoside.
Foods such as berries, cherries, grapes, pomegranate, black rice and purple potatoes contain cyanidin-based anthocyanins. Their inclusion here indicates the presence of cyanidin glycosides—not that isolated cyanidin itself has been studied.
Recipes
4 recipes containing this substance
Ginger Yogurt and Blueberries
A polyphenol-rich breakfast bowl with high fibre, combining ginger, omega-3 nuts, blueberry polyphenols, and probiotic yogurt.
Mitochondrial Power Bowl
A nitrate-rich, polyphenol-dense bowl combining leafy greens, beets, berries, nuts, and early harvest olive oil
Roast Duck Breast with Berry Sauce
A rich main dish built around crisp-skinned duck breast with a bright blueberry and raspberry sauce, designed to balance richness with acidity and aromatic depth.
Salmon Bowl-pistachio-cacao-nibs
A Mediterranean-style bowl combining salmon, avocado, pistachios, cacao nibs, and early harvest olive oil — rich in omega-3 fats, polyphenols, and fibre.
Foods
8 food relationships
Blueberries
Berries providing anthocyanins, vitamin C and fibre
Legacy food association · relationship unreviewedBlueberries → legacy tag association → Cyanidin
Cherries
General cherry information; see tart cherry for sleep support
Legacy food association · relationship unreviewedCherries → legacy tag association → Cyanidin
Cranberries
Polyphenols and resveratrol for microbiome and mitochondrial support
Legacy food association · relationship unreviewedCranberries → legacy tag association → Cyanidin
Grapes
Resveratrol source for SIRT1 activation and NAD+ support
Legacy food association · relationship unreviewedGrapes → legacy tag association → Cyanidin
Pomegranates
Ellagitannins for urolithin A production and polyphenol support
Legacy food association · relationship unreviewedPomegranates → legacy tag association → Cyanidin
Raspberries
Polyphenol-rich berries with fiber
Legacy food association · relationship unreviewedRaspberries → legacy tag association → Cyanidin
Strawberries
Polyphenol-rich berries supporting cognitive function
Legacy food association · relationship unreviewedStrawberries → legacy tag association → Cyanidin
Tart Cherry
Natural melatonin source for sleep support
Legacy food association · relationship unreviewedTart Cherry → legacy tag association → Cyanidin
Biological Mechanisms and Implications
No BRS mapping is assigned to free cyanidin unless a study genuinely investigates free cyanidin. Evidence from C3G studies is attributed specifically to C3G. Mixed berry, food, or anthocyanin evidence belongs on the Anthocyanins family page.
References
Class-level citations previously listed here (blueberry interventions; high-flavonoid intake trials) do not study isolated cyanidin and have been moved to the Anthocyanins family page.