How a Novel Food Colourant Could Transform Heart Health
By Science Discoveries Team | August 20, 2025
In a world where vibrant food colours often signal artificial ingredients and health concerns, a remarkable discovery is turning this notion on its head.
Imagine a deep, rich purple food coloring that not only makes your meals visually appealing but actually improves your cholesterol levels while doing so. This isn't science fiction—it's the reality of G8000, a novel natural food colourant derived from nature's own palette 1 .
Increases "good" cholesterol by up to 121% according to clinical studies
Reduces "bad" cholesterol by 37% with regular consumption
Recent research has revealed that this promising pigment does far more than tint foods—it actively benefits cardiovascular health by simultaneously raising "good" HDL cholesterol and lowering "bad" LDL cholesterol. This groundbreaking discovery represents a paradigm shift in how we think about food additives, suggesting that what makes our food visually appealing could also make it fundamentally healthier 1 .
To understand why G8000's effects are so significant, we must first grasp the fundamentals of cholesterol—a complex biological molecule with a notoriously bad reputation.
Often called "bad" cholesterol, LDL particles can accumulate within the walls of blood vessels, forming hardened plaques that narrow passageways and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Known as "good" cholesterol, HDL acts as a scavenger, picking up excess cholesterol in the blood and carrying it back to the liver for processing and elimination from the body.
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that circulates in our bloodstream and is found in every cell of the body. Contrary to popular belief, cholesterol serves essential functions—it helps build cell membranes, produces hormones like estrogen and testosterone, and aids in digestion by contributing to bile production. The problem isn't cholesterol itself but rather its transport and balance within our bodies 3 .
So what exactly is this revolutionary colorant? G8000 is a natural food colourant derived from plant sources, rich in potent polyphenols including anthocyanins—the same compounds that give blueberries, eggplants, and red cabbage their vibrant purple hues 1 .
What sets G8000 apart from other natural colorants is its demonstrated stability at various pH levels and its resistance to degradation when exposed to heat and light—challenges that have historically plagued many natural alternatives to synthetic dyes. Where many plant-based colorants fade or shift in hue when incorporated into different food matrices, G8000 maintains its vibrant purple coloration, making it particularly valuable for food applications 2 .
The cholesterol-modifying effects of G8000 were revealed through a rigorous clinical investigation published in the International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition. This carefully designed study examined the effects of regular consumption of G8000 on cholesterol profiles and other health markers in human volunteers 1 .
The study enrolled healthy human volunteers who would consume the colorant at a dietarily relevant dose (70 grams) daily.
The intervention period extended over 28 consecutive days—sufficient time to observe meaningful changes in cholesterol metabolism.
Researchers measured baseline values for each participant before the intervention began, allowing them to compare changes against starting levels.
The G8000 colorant was prepared using a consistent extraction method to ensure batch-to-batch uniformity throughout the study.
Researchers measured not only cholesterol fractions but also plasma enzyme biomarkers of muscle injury to assess safety 1 .
The findings from the 28-day intervention revealed significant improvements in cholesterol profiles among participants consuming G8000. The changes were both statistically substantial and clinically promising, suggesting real-world health benefits beyond mere laboratory numbers 1 .
| Parameter | Baseline Level (mg/dL) | Post-Treatment Level (mg/dL) | Change | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDL Cholesterol | 43 ± 10.2 | 95 ± 16.9 | +121% | p < 0.001 |
| LDL Cholesterol | 110 ± 40.9 | 69 ± 39 | -37% | p < 0.001 |
| Total Cholesterol | Not significant | p > 0.05 | ||
| Triglycerides | Not significant | p > 0.05 | ||
| VLDL | Not significant | p > 0.05 | ||
| Enzyme | Baseline Level (U/L) | Post-Treatment Level (U/L) | Change | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CK-MB | 20 ± 12.1 | 10 ± 1.9 | -50% | p < 0.001 |
| LDH | 275 ± 124.4 | 317 ± 114.7 | +15% | p < 0.005 |
| CK | Not significant | p > 0.05 | ||
The implications of these findings extend far beyond laboratory values. The simultaneous improvement in both HDL and LDL cholesterol represents a therapeutic profile that many pharmaceutical interventions struggle to achieve without significant side effects 3 6 .
50% reduction in CK-MB suggests potential heart health benefits
Derived from plant sources with no synthetic chemicals
Effective at dietarily relevant doses (70g daily)
The mechanism behind G8000's effects likely relates to its rich polyphenol content, particularly its anthocyanins. These compounds have been shown in previous research to enhance reverse cholesterol transport—the process by which HDL removes excess cholesterol from tissues and arteries and returns it to the liver for processing and elimination 4 .
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched—they must be felt with the heart." —Helen Keller
Perhaps we might adapt this sentiment for nutritional science: Sometimes the most beneficial things in our food cannot be tasted or even recognized—they work their magic silently, like a purple pigment that heals even as it colors.
What makes G8000 particularly promising is that it achieved these effects at a dietarily relevant dose (70g)—an amount that could reasonably be incorporated into daily food consumption without requiring drastic dietary changes or supplementation regimens. This suggests that simply replacing synthetic colorants with G8000 in everyday food products could potentially deliver cardiovascular benefits to consumers without requiring conscious effort or compliance 1 .