Cyanidin

PhytochemicalAnthocyanidin

What is it

Cyanidin is an anthocyanidin, the aglycone (sugar-free) form of cyanidin-based anthocyanins found in red and purple fruits and vegetables. It is rarely consumed as the free aglycone; most dietary cyanidin enters the body as glycosides like cyanidin-3-glucoside.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Antioxidant intake (anthocyanin family)

Limited Evidence

Anthocyanin-rich foods correlate with cardiometabolic benefits in cohort and small RCT studies. Isolated cyanidin has limited direct human evidence.

How it works

Free cyanidin is unstable in solution and is poorly absorbed from the gut compared with its glycoside forms. Inside cells, cyanidin and its metabolites act as antioxidants and modulate inflammatory and metabolic signaling pathways in vitro. Most health-relevant biological activity in vivo is attributed to the glycoside forms and downstream phenolic acid metabolites rather than the free aglycone.

Dosage

No RDA. Supplemental cyanidin is uncommon; anthocyanin trials use 80-320 mg/day of total anthocyanins. DSLD does not report a median.

When and how to take it

No strict timing requirement. Best obtained through whole-food sources.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Aglycone (rare)

Rarely sold as isolated aglycone.

Unstable in aqueous solution; poorly absorbed.

Glycoside forms (3-glucoside, etc.)

How cyanidin is typically delivered in supplements.

More stable; the form present in foods.

Safety

Well tolerated as a food component. No specific safety data on isolated cyanidin.

Who should be cautious

No specific cautions at dietary doses. Pregnancy and lactation: dietary amounts are safe; isolated supplement data limited.

Interactions

No significant clinical interactions reported.

Food sources

Blackberries, 100 g

Amount
~100-300 mg total anthocyanins (mostly cyanidin)
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between cyanidin and C3G?⌄

Cyanidin is the sugar-free 'aglycone'; C3G (cyanidin-3-glucoside) is cyanidin attached to a glucose unit. C3G is the more common dietary form.

Should I buy a cyanidin supplement?⌄

Whole-food sources or standardized anthocyanin extracts are more practical than isolated cyanidin.

References

Cyanidin on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Cyanidin (ChEBI:27843) — ChEBI link

Cyanidin (PubChem CID 128861) — PubChem link

Cyanidin on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Cyanidin (PubMed search) — PubMed link

Track Cyanidin with Pilora

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.