With a couple swaps of genetic material, these purple tomatoes turn a deep purple when ripe. Why? Because they’re loaded with good-for-you antioxidants and anthocyanins.
Scientists created these purple tomatoes by inserting two genes from snapdragons into domesticated varieties of tomatoes. Tomatoes already have the biological capability to make antioxidants, though it’s usually limited to the plant’s stems. The snapdragon genes inserted by into the purple tomatoes activate the process of producing antioxidants for the fruit itself (sounds very similar to Artic Apples, which were engineered to turn off the browning mechanism).
If you don’t know, antioxidants are substances that scientists believe protect our cells against free radicals, which may play a role in heart disease, cancer, and other diseases. Anthocyanins are water-soluble pigments associated with similar health benefits.
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Related on the SLP
I love that Norfolk Plant Sciences doesn’t shy away from the GMO label. The company is located in the UK, but even that doesn’t give them jitters about it. As it says on the company’s website, whether you eat them or not is your own choice. But Norfolk Plant Sciences is excited by the product and wants to share its health benefits with those interested.
