Acerola is a red fruit native to South America, commonly found in the Caribbean, particularly in Barbados. Specifically, it is a red berry resembling a cherry. It is well-known for its high vitamin C content.
Acerola: A True Vitamin C Concentrate
Acerola, this red fruit, grows in the dry forests of South America. The tree can sometimes reach up to 5 meters and bears red fruits similar to Western cherries. For a long time, local populations have used acerola juice to address fevers and dysentery.
Moreover, it's important to note that the fruit is renowned for its very high vitamin C content. In fact, it contains about 20 to 30% more vitamin C than an orange. This is precisely why acerola is recommended for treating scurvy. However, vitamin C is not the only nutrient present in this berry.
It is also rich in a variety of other nutrients. Here's a list: vitamin B1, vitamin B5, flavonoids, iron, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
Why Use Acerola?
Vitamin C is an exceptional anti-fatigue agent. It also aids in collagen synthesis, thereby helping to fight premature skin aging. Vitamin C also optimizes immune defenses and may help prevent hypertension.
The human body is a significant consumer of vitamin C. Unlike most mammals, humans cannot produce this vitamin themselves and struggle to store it in the body. Therefore, it must be obtained from diet. However, the vitamin C present in food may not fully meet daily human requirements. Consuming excessive amounts of vitamin C can significantly strain the kidneys.
Thus, the utility of acerola, which provides vitamin C in massive quantities, becomes apparent.
How to Choose Acerola Correctly?
It's important to note that acerola is not cultivated in Europe, making it difficult to find fresh fruit.
However, acerola is often available in the form of capsules or tablets. To ensure you are consuming natural vitamin C, carefully read the product label before purchasing. Some products may contain synthetic vitamin C. If you see terms like ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, or sodium ascorbate on the product, be cautious as the acerola present may not be pure but mixed with synthetic vitamins. Additionally, pay attention to the disclosed vitamin C content. Acerola typically contains 18% vitamin C. Therefore, for a product made with 500 mg of acerola, there can be at most 85 mg of vitamin C.