’Purple Corn’ New Treatment for Diabetes and Kidney Disease?

Sep 19, 2012

Diabetic Diet Might Include ‘Purple Corn’ In the Future

Purple corn has been discovered as a potential new treatment option for those who have type 2 diabetes and kidney disease. Scientists from Korea’s Hallym University Department of Food and Nutrition and Department of Biochemistry investigated the cellular and molecular activity of purple corn anthocyanins (PCA) to determine how it affects the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN).

Nephropathy is a scientific term meaning damage or disease of the kidney and anthocyanin’s are pigments that are responsible for the colour of a plant or vegetables. These pigments also tend to have health benefits or are used as dietary antioxidants and in this case purple corn. The findings from the study suggest that PCA inhibits pathways of the development of DN, which may lead to new discoveries in the development of therapies for treating type 2 diabetes and kidney disease. The study was published in the American Journal of Physiology.

Purple corn is typically grown in Peru and Chile and is similar to blue corn. The kernels of purple corn has been used in regions where they are locally grown to colour foods and beverages and have been more recently utilized for research purposes to link health benefits.

Video: Winter Service Inspections for John Deere Equipment - The FarmCast Ep64

The FarmCast, host Troy Randall speaks with Doug Luedke, Vice President of Service, and Davin Peterson, Executive Vice President of Aftermarket at 21st Century Equipment, to discuss the importance of proactive service and how it helps farmers reduce downtime during their busiest seasons. The conversation focuses on the Winter Service Inspection Program, a comprehensive approach designed to keep equipment running at peak performance and limit costly in-season breakdowns through preventative maintenance and expert technician support.

Doug and Devin explain how 21st Century Equipment’s service teams have evolved to meet the needs of today’s connected machines. With more technology and data integrated into modern equipment, technicians now play a vital role in both mechanical repairs and precision ag support. Through advanced diagnostics, machine monitoring, and John Deere’s Expert Alerts, they can identify and address potential issues before they become major problems—saving customers valuable time, money, and frustration.

Throughout the discussion, the team shares real-world success stories demonstrating how proactive inspections and customer-focused service help maximize uptime and efficiency for every operation. Whether it’s a large tractor, combine, or small mower, the goal remains the same: to provide trusted, reliable support that helps farmers and landowners stay productive and confident in their equipment year-round.