The Acerola berry is also known as the Barbados cherry, Puerto Rican cherry, West Indian cherry, Cereso, and Antilles Cherry. The berry is the fruit of the Acerola tree, which grows up to 10 feet in height. There are several different species of Acerola, including Acerola Malpighia glabra L., Acerola Malpighia punicifolia L. and Acerola Malpighia emarginata D.C..
Acerola Berries are a thin skinned, bright red in color, and cherry-like in appearance. They flourish in tropical regions of the Americas. Many people in the Caribbean islands and Florida grow their own Acerola, which can be eaten like grapes.
Both the berries and powder are delicious and nutritious. They are added to smoothies, syrups, jams and jellies. The berries are very rich in vitamin C; one single berry contains 80 milligram of vitamin C -133% of the daily recommended dose.
Acerola is the major source of commercially produced vitamin C. The berries are also rich in vitamin A, iron and calcium.
Health benefits of Acerola berries
For many years Acerola berries have been used in the Caribbean and in South American as an alternative medicine for strengthening the immune system, fighting infections, and helping heal open wounds.
Acerola berries have anti-oxidant and free radical scavenger properties, and it has been suggested that they act as an effective antiviral agent by some scientists.
The vitamin C in Acerola helps the body make collagen, a tough, fibrous protein that is key to making connective tissue and skin, and that also plays a role in wound healing. Vitamin C also protects the body from free radicals, cell-damaging molecules that contribute to the development of cancer, heart disease, and many other diseases.
Because the body does not manufacture or store vitamin C and bioflavonoids, they must be replenished on a regular basis. And, since these two compounds work together to promote circulation, stimulate bile production and boost the immune system, they act as the body’s first line of defence against illness. They also help fight off colds and flu. The berry is also very useful in balancing the pH levels in gastrointestinal tract, which ultimately promotes improved digestion.
Acerola Berries contain vitamins and minerals that help strengthen teeth and bones.
Research on Acerola berries
Acerola has been studied in the laboratory and has been found to be a powerful antioxidant and have anti-cancer properties. One hundred and fifty componets have been identified in the berry, of which furfural, hexadecanoic acid, 3-methyl-3-butenol, and limonene were found to be the major constituents.
Two anthocyanins, cyanidin-3-alpha-O-rhamnoside (C3R) and pelargonidin-3-alpha-O-rhamnoside (P3R), and quercitrin (quercetin-3-alpha-O-rhamnoside), were isolated from Acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) fruit. These polyphenols were evaluated based on the functional properties associated with diabetes mellitus or its complications, that is, on the radical scavenging activity and the inhibitory effect on both alpha-glucosidase and advanced glycation end product (AGE) formation. C3R and quercitrin revealed strong radical scavenging activity.