Trendspotters at Pantone Color Institute, the  the global authority on color trends, describe their hue of ultra violet as "dramatically provocative and thoughtful." Long associated with the mysteries of the cosmos, over the years, enigmatic purples have also come to symbolise counterculture, unconventionality, individuality and emotion, says Pantone.

Think icons like Prince, David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix. 

The Pantone declaration follows a 2016 prediction from organic retailer Whole Foods, which predicted purple foods to trend in 2017. "The power of purple goes beyond the vibrant color and often indicates nutrient density and antioxidants," reads the report. Indeed, a good rule of thumb when shopping the produce aisle is to remember that the darker the skin color, the higher the antioxidants. 

The compound believed to lend foods like eggplant, red cabbage and grapes their purple, blueish hue, anthocyanin, is also associated with a variety of health claims, including lower blood pressure, lower levels of the "good" cholesterol HDL, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti cancer properties.

Here's a short brainstorming list of purple foods with anthocyanins to include in your diet for 2018, the color of ultra violet: 

• Red cabbage
• Red onions
• Grapes
• Eggplant
• Figs
• Blueberries
• Purple artichoke 
• Purple carrots 
• Purple sweet potatoes 
• Acai
• Purple corn
• Elderberries
• Beets
• Purple cauliflower
• Blackberries
• Plums 

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