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Acerola Fruit - Health Benefits

Acerola Uses, Health Benefits and Side Effects

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Acerola is an evergreen flowering tree that is valued for its hihg vitamin Cfruit that is believed to offer many health benefits
acerola fruit

Acerola health benefits. As a fruit is contains high amount of vitamin C used for treatment of scurvy and other vitamin C deficiency diseases. It is also used to can prevent cancer, ageing and can promote healthier heart...

Acerola use warning and cautions. acerola is generally safe for human consumption. Side effects include; nausea, sleepiness, insomnia ...



What is acerola


acerola flowerScientific Name : Malpighia emarginata

Common Name: Acerola, Acerola Cherry, Barbados Cherry, , Cerise de la Barbade, Cerise des Antilles, Puerto Rican Cherry, West Indian Cherry. Malpighia punicifolia, Malpighia glabra,

Acerola (Malpighia emarginata) is a small tropical fruit-bearing tree in the family Malpighiaceae that is native to South and Central America.  It is propagated for its vitamin C rich fruits and has found its way to other tropical and subtropical climates in Asia and Africa, such as in Australia, Sri Lanka, India , Taiwan, Ghana, Ethiopia and Madagascar. Acerola fruits are known to possess high concentration of natural vitamin C that is believed to be readily absorbed by the body as compared to synthetic ascorbic acid. Acerola is not only rich in vitamin C, it also contains vitamin A and B, catotenoids, flavonoids and is valued as a natural medicine and a good source of antioxidants.

Description:

Acerola tree is evergreen growing to a height of 2 to 3 meters with simple ovate leaves attached to short petioles. Acerola leaves are opposite, elliptic with hairs at the margins. The flowers are bisexual about 1 to 2 centimeters in width having five petals, pale to pinkish in color.

Acerola flower has about ten stamens and six to ten glands on the calyx. The inflorescence has about three to six flowers with short peduncled axillary cymes.  The Acerola flowers develop into bright red drupes about 1 to 3 cm in diameter each weighing about 3 to 5 grams when ripe. Acerola fruits are in pairs or groups of three, and each divided into three lobes containing three triangular seeds.

Acerola fruits are juicy, usually sour in taste, but in some cases it may be sweet.



Acerola Nutritional Value

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size : 1 cup (98 grams)
%DV
Calories
31.4 (131 kJ)
Total Carbohydrate
7.5 g
Dietary Fiber
1.1 g
Total Fat
0.3 g
Total Omega-3 fatty acids
43.1 mg
Total Omega-6 fatty acids
45.1 mg
Protein
0.4 g
Vitamin A
752 IU 15%
Vitamin C
1644 mg 2740%
Riboflavin
0.1 mg 3%
Niacin
0.4 mg 2%
Vitamin B6
0 mg 0%
Folate
13.7 mcg 3%
Vitamin B12
0 mcg 0%
Pantothenic Acid
0.3 mg 3%
Calcium
11.8 mg 1%
Iron
0.2 mg 1%
Magnesium
17.6 mg 4%
Phosphorus
10.8 mg 1%
Potassium
143 mg 4%
Sodium
6.9 mg 0%
Zinc
0.1 mg 1%
Copper
0.1 mg 4%
Selenium
0.6 mcg 1%
Source: USDA; Nutritional data based on 2000 calorie reference.


Acerola: Folkloric & Traditional Health Benefits

  • Acerola being rich in vitamin C is used to boost the immune system.
  • Acerola is used to treat scurvy and other vitamin C deficiencies
  • Acerola fruit is widely used to treat dysentery, diarrhea, and liver disorders.
  • Acerola fruit is also used as astringent and anti-wrinkles
  • Concoction of acerola leaves are used to treat fever.
  • Acerola is believed to prevent heart disease and lowers cholesterol
  • It is also used for treating common cold.
  • Acerola fruit is also used to prevent tooth decay and gum problems
  • Acerola fruit contains antioxidant and used for cancer prevention
  • Acerola improves mood and used for depression treatment
  • Acerola juice is also used as an anti-ageing elixir
  • Acerola is also used to promote fertility
  • Used to treat and prevent eye disorders
  • Leaves are used to treat inflammation and arthritis.



Acerola Health Benefits

 

Anti diabetic activity of Acerola Juice

In a study done in the Medical School of Medicine of Marília, Faculty of Technology and Foods of Marília, Avenida Higino, Brazil. the effects of acerola juice in the lipid metabolism and glycemic profile in rats were investigated. Results have shown that the diabetic induced rats treated with acerola juice showed significantly decreased levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and increased HDL-c. The study further suggests that acerola juice is maybe a potential strategy to aid in the prevention of DM and dyslipidemia and its complications or to act as an auxiliary in the treatment of these diseases. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21318139

 

Skin-lightening effect of a polyphenol extract from Acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) fruit on UV-induced pigmentation.

The Journal of Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry. Dec 2008 published a research from Nichirei Foods Inc, Chiba-shi, Chiba, Japan that investigated the physiological functions of polyphenols from acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) fruit. In the experiment, the crude polyphenol concentrated extract from acerola (C-AP) was used to examine the skin-lightening effect on brownish guinea pigs which had been subjected to controlled UVB irradiation. The results show that C-AP significantly lightened the UVB-irradiated skin pigmentation. Furthermore, treatment with C-AP reduced the content of melanin in B16 melanoma cells, suggesting that the in vivo skin-lightening effect of C-AP was due to the suppression of melanin biosynthesis in melanocytes.

This investigation suggests that an oral ingestion of C-AP may be efficacious for reducing UVB-induced hyper-pigmentation by inhibiting the tyrosinase in melanocytes. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19060403


Biological activity of barbados cherry (acerola fruits, fruit of Malpighia emarginata DC) extracts and fractions

The Journal of Phytotherapy Research. March 2004, published a study done i the.Pharmaceutical University, Noshio, Kiyose, Tokyo, Japan. on the biological activity of acerola fruits and its fractions. The study showed that organic extract of acerola fruit showed higher cytotoxic activity against tumor cell lines such as human oral squamous cell carcinoma (HSC-2) and human submandibular gland carcinoma (HSG), when compared with that against normal cells such as human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPLF) and human gingival fibroblasts (HGF). Moreover it also displayed higher tumor-specific cytotoxicity showing higher multidrug resistance (MDR) reversal activity, than verapamil as positive control. The study suggests that the tumor specific cytotoxic activity and MDR reversal activity of barbados cherry (acerola) may have possible application for cancer therapy. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15103668


Acerola extract Benefits against Age-related diseases

The Journal of Anticancer Reasearch July 2003, published a study done in the Faculty of Science, Josai University, Sakado, Saitama, Japan, on the biological activities of acerola extracts on the prevention for age-related diseases. The study investigated the effects of acerola extract on nitric oxide production by macrophages. It showed that the acetone extract exhibited a high inhibitory activity of nitric oxide production. There was a notable scavenging of radical species such as superoxide anion (O2) and nitric oxide radicals. These results suggest that acerola extract is a viable and natural alternative to prevent age-related diseases. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12926058

 



How and Where to Buy acerola Berry

Barbados cherry (acerola) is primarily grown as decorative shrub in warmer climates in Southern United States, Southern Americas and Asia. It is grown in backyards and gardens where the tree will yield fruits all year round. Acerola is not a popular table fruit because of its sour taste and large disproportionate seeds. Rarely it is sold fresh in grocery stores but its concentrated extract, juices and powdered forms can be readily available.

In Brazil and other South American Countries, fresh acerola berries can be bought in markets. Just select the bright red ones that are firm and well formed. Acerola can be refrigerated to last for a couple of days.

Acerola may be eaten as a regular small fruit or cut into pieces and mixed with other fruits to make a salad. Acerola may also be used to make jelly, fruit juice, sauce and syrup.



Acerola Side Effects and cautions

Acerola is considered safe for normal food consumption.

Reported minor side effects may include stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, and insomnia. It can also cause diarrhea in high doses.

Acerola contains high amount of vitamin C and may cause problems to conditions that may be aggravated by high vitamin C doses such as kidney stones, gout inflammation, estrogen absorption and blood clotting.

Pregnancy and Breast Feeding.

There is no sufficient studies made on the possible side effects of Acerola extract on pregnant and breast feeding mothers. It not recommeneded for high dosage and long term use.



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