Multiple effects of anthocyanins inhibiting influenza (flu) virus infectivity, decreasing secondary tissue damage and boosting the immune system:

Reproduction allowed How important are anthocyanins in human ability to fight viral infections? The answer to this question has two parts. The first part is clear. Diet rich in polyphenols including anthocyanins helps the human immune system to work more efficiently to protect against viral infections. The second part is a little bit more complex, specific types of anthocyanins may have a direct effect in decreasing influenza viruses infectivity by decreasing the ability of the virus itself to get into the human cells [1-3] or to be released from infected cells [4]; or by having a viricide effect [4-7], it means that some anthocyanins may kill viruses when they are in the lumen of the respiratory or intestinal tract. From this perspective, anthocyanins are very helpful in our battle against influenza.