Acerola, benefits of this tropical fruit

Besides its consumption in candy or in jams, acerola is used in traditional medicine to facilitate recovery from asthenias or states of great weakness (for example, those resulting from famine), it is also used to help in treatments of diarrhea, liver and heart problems .

Acerola … What is it?

Acerola fruits in a ball with some leaves — acerola fruit in a bowl with leaves

Acerola is a small red fruit very similar to cherry. Bright red and sweet yet sour, it is a tropical and subtropical plant species. In general, it cannot withstand temperatures below 7º C for long periods.

Due to its favorable climate and soil, Brazil is currently the largest producer of Acerola in the world.

Best ways to take Acerola :

Due to its delicate storage and tropical aspects, it is very difficult to consume fresh Acerola . Thus, our health can benefit from it, thanks to products that have been developed, such as Acerola powder or Acerola pills.

Therefore, after consulting your doctor or pharmacist, you can choose how to take Acerola .

Benefits of Acerola :

Acerola in red-orange color — Acerola fruit

Acerola is a fruit with multiple properties and health benefits, which is why it is traditionally used to prevent colds and other respiratory diseases , but it has also been used as a fungicide (fights fungus), anti-inflammatory, antianemic, astringent and diuretic. However, the main characteristic is its high content of vitamin C , which can be up to 80 times higher than that found in citrus fruits like oranges.

Also called ascorbic acid , vitamin C is necessary for the growth and development of our organism and is involved in a very large number of metabolic reactions. Unlike other nutrients that can be synthesized in small amounts in our body, this vitamin is a very essential nutrient, so it is necessary to obtain it through food and / or supplements.

In addition, ascorbic acid belongs to the group of water soluble vitamins or what is the same, it easily dissolves in water, which makes it difficult to store in our body, so we need a continuous supply of vitamin C. It is essential for the growth and repair of all tissues in the body. Indeed, it is involved in the synthesis of collagen, a protein used to form the skin, tendons, gums, ligaments and blood vessels. It is also essential for wound healing. Ascorbic Acid is also an excellent vitamin for teeth repairing, bones and cartilage. Thanks to the incomparable amount of ascorbic acid in Acerola , this fruit can be considered as one of the foods with the greatest antioxidant capacity found in nature, the function of antioxidants is to block part of the action of free radicals, which are toxic agents that damage our body structures causing, among other things, premature aging, cancer , heart disease, diabetes and even joint diseases like arthritis .

Properties of Acerola:

Strengthens the immune system , increases our resistance to colds, flu and infections in general.
Helps correct iron deficiency anemia by increasing the absorption of iron from the intestine and improving serum iron levels.
Antioxidant , it fights free radicals, with consequent health benefits at all levels, prevents cancer, premature aging and degenerative diseases.
It contributes to the formation of collagen in the bones, cartilage, teeth and skin.

When to use Acerola …

Acerola is an anti-infective of choice, to be taken as a preventive measure in the event of an influenza epidemic or as a curative measure, once the disease has been declared.
Recommended in all respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (or COPD ), as well as pollen allergies, or hay fever.
One of the best vitamins for immune system functions; it strengthens the body’s defenses against microbes and viruses, accelerating the synthesis of antibodies.
Remarkable antioxidant, it slows down the destruction of cell membranes by opposing the action of free radicals. Prevention of cancer and degenerative diseases.
Powerful tonic, very useful in case of great physical fatigue or in case of nervous exhaustion, asthenia, etc.
It is an anti-stress that should be taken as a cure, in case of depression, anxiety, stress, etc.
Menopause : This vitamin, together with bioflavonoids, helps produce more estrogen, reduces hot flashes, irritation and long periods of perimenopause that occur during menopause.

Manual

The daily dosage is 1 gr. powder (equivalent to a teaspoon of mocha) of Acerola extract (morning or afternoon). Ingestion of this amount contains 170 mg. of natural vitamin C or 155% of the recommended dietary allowance.

If you take it in capsules, there are 2 capsules (morning or afternoon). Ingestion of this amount contains 136 mg. of natural vitamin C or 124% of the recommended dietary allowance.

Bottom line …

Wooden board with acerola fruits on it — Board of wood with acerola fruits and leaves on it

Acerola is a small cherry-like fruit. It has a slightly acidic taste, nevertheless it remains very pleasant and tasty.

The main feature of Acerola is its very high concentration of vitamin C (although it also contains vitamin A). It contains up to 20 times more ascorbic acid than oranges or any other citrus fruit!

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient in our daily diet. Among its advantages, we find that it can:

Reduce fatigue and tiredness .
Contribute and support the normal functioning of the immune system .
It is involved in the formation of collagen, a structural component of bones, skin and blood vessels.
They are involved in the synthesis of chemicals in the brain involved in regulating mood.

The vitamin C content is higher in ripe fruit and less after harvest. However, the percentage of ascorbic acid can be preserved by freezing the berry. This fruit is very suitable for the cold seasons by virtue of its anti-flu and anti-cold benefits.

For all the benefits mentioned above, we invite you to use Acerola ! It is one of the best vitamins for strengthening the immune system and can enhance its response to various influenza epidemics such as COVID-19 for example.

To Read: zinc: 5 foods that are rich of it