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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​

9 foods containing this substance

Black Goji

C3G anthocyanins for heavy metal chelation and neuroprotection

Blueberries

Polyphenol-rich berries supporting cognitive function and antioxidant networks

Cherries

General cherry information; see tart cherry for sleep support

Cranberries

Polyphenols and resveratrol for microbiome and mitochondrial support

Grapes

Resveratrol source for SIRT1 activation and NAD+ support

Pomegranates

Ellagitannins for urolithin A production and polyphenol support

Strawberries

Polyphenol-rich berries supporting cognitive function

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.