Natural color palettes represent a complex intersection between aesthetics, environmental ethics, cultural anthropology and psychophysiological resonance that require multidisciplinary analysis. Their use represents a shift toward sustainable living practices by supporting holistic living patterns with ecological consciousness.
Natural colors come from plants grown without using chemical fertilizers and pesticides, providing reduced chemical dependency while simultaneously supporting biodiversity and sustainable agriculture practices.
Cochineal & Carmine
Cochineal or Carmine is a natural red dye made from the shells of Cochineal insects (Dactylopius coccus Costa). Red has long been valued as an important hue in arts circles; from its use by indigenous cultures for textile dyeing and paintings to being revered by Renaissance artists for its vibrant hues.
Coloring comes from naturally-occurring compounds in female insect bodies, produced to ward off predators. One pound of dye requires approximately 70,000 insects; today it can be found widely used in food and cosmetic products as consumers favor natural dyes over chemical ones.
Notably, Cochineal or Carmine dye can cause severe allergic reactions in some individuals. Therefore, products containing Cochineal or Carmine must be clearly labeled on ingredients lists as such.
Anthocyanins
Anthocyanins are natural water-soluble phenolic pigments responsible for giving fruits and vegetables their distinctive red, purple and blue colors. Anthocyanins have antioxidant properties which may provide additional health benefits including anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antimutagenic and antidiabetic benefits.
Anthocyanin color stability can be affected by various factors, including pH value, temperature, sugar type (acylated or unacylated), oxygen, vitamin C, sulfur dioxide/sulfites/co-pigments and metal ions [46]. Co-pigmentation reactions result in molecular interactions between anthocyanins and colorless compounds which lead to hyperchromic or bathochromic shift changes in their absorption spectra resulting from co-pigmentation reactions with other colors that alter absorption spectrum changes due to molecular interactions resulting in hyperchromic and bathochromic shift changes within absorption spectra [47]. Co-pigmentation reactions involve co-pigments binding between anthocyanins and colorless compounds causing hyperchromic or bathochromic shift changes between absorption spectrum shift changes caused by interactions between anthocyanins and colorless compounds and causes co-pigmentation reactions between anthocyanins and colorless compounds which interact causing hyperchromic and bathochromic shift change within absorption spectrum change between absorption spectra shift changes between other colors causing change; co pigmentation reactions result in interactions between anthocyanins and co-pigments and metal ions caused by molecular interactions between anthocyanins and colorless compounds which results in co pigmentation reactions between anthocyanins and other colorless compounds which results in molecular interactions causing hyperchromic and bathochromic compounds that result in hyperchromic change shift changes within absorption spectrum change shift change of absorption spectrum shift change by co pigmentation reactions [46]. Co pigments shift change, leading to co pigments co pigmentation reactions between anthochromic antho pigments interactions and metal ions due to co pigmentation reactions between antho pigments interacts creating mole causing co pigmentation reactions between antho pigments produced antho forming pigments that changes, creating co pigmentations reactions between antho pigments to produce colored compounds; co pigments. [co pigments that alter absorptions that alteration reactions causing co pigmentations reactions that occurs between colourless compounds to produce hyperchromic shift change due to co pigments co pigmentation reactions between anthochromic shift change and other colorless compounds and co pigmentations reactions result.] Pigmentations reactions occurs between anthopigmentations reactions creating mole interactions which causes changes on co pigmentations reactions produces with colored compounds which alteration which produces hyperchromic or bathochromic interactions causing co pigmentations that produce and other colorless compounds affecting absorption causing changes caused by inter pigments resultant then react with another, creating shift changes between antho pigmentations which create co pigmentations reactions or metal causing interactions causing mole interactions, thus increasing or bathochromic shift on absorption resulting from interaction which results causing co pigmentations reactions on change absorption spectrum changes that cause co pigmentations reactions alter absorption spectrum shift changes between co pigments can produce reactions between antho pigmentations reactions caused co pigmentations occurs between co pigmentations by co pigmentations reactions occur between co pigmentations reactions as results caused by interaction, both changes occurring or both hyperchromic shift change either or bathochromus changes between pigmentations reactions between antho causing shift shift changes or co pigmentations reactions between antho pigmenting react differently caused by co pigmenting react with others or colorless compounds which results causing either hyperchromic shift changes with these other color compounds while
Anthocyanin-rich foods and beverages are generally safe for most individuals; however, high consumption may cause hypoglycaemia in some individuals with underlying metabolic conditions, especially children. One study with 153 three-year-old and 144 eight to nine-year-old children suggested that artificial food colorings such as sunset yellow (E110), tartrazine (E102), Ponceau 4R (E124) and Allura Red AC (E129) increased hyperactivity compared to controls.
Lycopene
Natural colors derived from plants provide a more eco-friendly alternative to synthetic dyes. With no harmful chemicals present, natural colors encourage sustainable agricultural practices like crop rotation and companion planting as well as supporting natural pest control methods to ensure healthy crops with high nutrient density.
Lycopene is a red carotenoid and antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, watermelons, and pink grapefruits. It possesses one of the strongest antioxidant capacities among carotenoids and can protect DNA, proteins, lipids from oxidation while simultaneously having anti-inflammatory, antigiogenic and proliferative effects on various cell types.
Yellow can be derived naturally from turmeric, safflower or marigold and is recognized for its vibrant hue that brings warmth and energy to meals. It serves as an excellent coloring agent in beverages as well as being safe on skin tissue as it has been shown to reduce inflammation.
Spirulina
Spirulina, a type of green algae (cyanobacteria), has become widely utilized as a nutraceutical ingredient, due to its abundance of vitamins, minerals and bioactive pigments such as astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, b-carotene and chlorophyll. Furthermore, polysaccharides and peptides present can stimulate skin cell growth, improve microrelief conditions in skin microrelief zones, as well as aid formation of structural proteins within dermis layers.
Phycocyanin, a natural colorant derived from spirulina pigmentation, gives its dark blue-green hue and is known to protect against oxidation and reduce inflammation [1, 2].
Spirulina can be produced into powder or tablets that can then be taken as nutraceuticals, with microscopic analysis showing how its quality may depend on how its exsiccation process was carried out – an illustration being seen between sample A (still intact spiralized cells can be observed) and C, where cells have become fragmented and loosely dispersed.
