It sounds like something out of science fiction.
A creature that can see colours we can’t. A “hidden” layer of the visual world that exists beyond human perception. But this is exactly what researchers have found when studying dragonflies.
And now, that discovery is being translated into something far more practical. A new way of detecting disease, including cancer, by seeing what we’ve previously been unable to see.
The breakthrough: beyond human colour
Dragonflies don’t just see more clearly than us. They see differently.
While humans rely on three types of colour receptors (red, green, and blue), dragonflies have up to 30 different photoreceptors. This allows them to detect subtle differences in light wavelengths that are completely invisible to us.
In their world, colour isn’t limited. It’s layered, detailed, and highly functional. It helps them hunt, navigate, and survive with precision.
Scientists are now taking inspiration from this system.
By mimicking how dragonflies process light, researchers are developing advanced imaging techniques that can detect tiny molecular differences in tissues. Differences that may signal the early stages of disease, including tumours that would otherwise go unnoticed.
It’s not about sharper images. It’s about richer information.
From dragonflies to diagnostics
Traditional imaging methods often rely on contrast between healthy and unhealthy tissue. But early-stage disease doesn’t always present with obvious visual differences.
This new approach, sometimes referred to as multispectral or hyperspectral imaging, captures a much wider range of wavelengths. Essentially, it adds new “layers” of colour data to what we can see.
This means:
- Subtle biochemical changes can be detected earlier
- Tissue can be analysed based on its molecular composition
- Detection becomes less about structure, and more about function
It’s a shift from seeing shapes to seeing signals.
The nourishment angle: eating the full spectrum
While this might feel far removed from everyday nutrition, there’s an interesting parallel.
Just as different wavelengths of light carry different information, different colours in food represent different bioactive compounds.
These compounds, often referred to as phytonutrients or biochromes, are responsible for the pigments in fruits and vegetables. But they do more than provide colour.
They interact with the body in distinct ways, supporting everything from antioxidant defence to cellular communication.
For example:
- Deep reds and purples often contain anthocyanins, linked to cardiovascular and cognitive support
- Bright oranges and yellows are rich in carotenoids, which support skin and eye health
- Greens tend to provide chlorophyll and compounds that support detoxification pathways
No single colour does everything. But together, they create a more complete nutritional picture.
Why diversity matters
Modern diets often become repetitive, not just in foods, but in colour.
The same meals, the same ingredients, the same nutrient profile. Over time, this can limit the range of compounds the body is exposed to.
Eating across the full colour spectrum is a simple way to increase nutritional diversity without overcomplicating things.
It’s less about strict rules, more about visual balance.
A plate that naturally includes a range of colours is more likely to include a broader range of beneficial compounds.
A new way of thinking about health
What the dragonfly research highlights is something bigger.
Health isn’t always about what’s obvious. It’s often about what’s happening beneath the surface. At a molecular level, where small changes can have larger consequences over time.
The same applies to nutrition.
It’s not just about calories or macronutrients. It’s about the subtle compounds, the ones you don’t see or track, but that still play a role in how your body functions.
The bigger picture
We’re entering a phase where both science and nutrition are becoming more nuanced.
From imaging technologies that detect disease earlier, to dietary approaches that focus on diversity rather than restriction.
The connection might seem abstract, but the principle is the same.
See more. Support more.
Whether it’s through advanced diagnostics or simply adding more colour to your plate, the goal is to work with complexity, not reduce it.
Because sometimes, the things that matter most are the ones we couldn’t see before.
References
- Futahashi, R. et al. (2015) ‘Extraordinary diversity of visual opsin genes in dragonflies’, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(11), pp. E1247–E1256.
- Lu, G. and Fei, B. (2014) ‘Medical hyperspectral imaging: a review’, Journal of Biomedical Optics, 19(1), p. 010901.
- Pogue, B.W. et al. (2018) ‘Review of biomedical optical spectroscopy and imaging’, Journal of Biomedical Optics, 23(12), p. 121613.
- Slavin, J.L. and Lloyd, B. (2012) ‘Health benefits of fruits and vegetables’, Advances in Nutrition, 3(4), pp. 506–516.
- Wallace, T.C. et al. (2020) ‘Fruits, vegetables, and health: a comprehensive narrative review’, Nutrients, 12(10), p. 3173.
