Improving health with the power of purple

"What's special about this purple pigment is that scientists have found that it is a powerful antioxidant, helping the human body to fight diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, and to deal with stress," He said. "We're testing how to grow purple tomatoes without genetic modification."

The tomatoes are tested in the lab, to see how different water, soil and light conditions affect the amount of purple pigment in the fruit, and Professor He will also be investigating what genes regulate the pigment production.

"We believe that having tasty, purple produce available, which is organic and affordable, can do a great good for people's health," He said.

Watch the video of Professor He's purple tomatoes research:

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Purple tomatoes: SF State Biology Professor Zheng-Hui He is researching how to grow purple tomatoes that contain the same health-promoting pigment found in blueberries.

Provided by San Francisco State University