ACEROLA – THE WORLD'S BEST NATURAL SOURCE OF VITAMIN C!
Just three acerola fruits a day are enough to meet an adult's need for invaluable vitamin C. Acerola, also known as the Barbados cherry, contains 4500 mg of vitamin C per 100 g of fruit, which is over 10 times more than blackcurrants, often cited as a leading source of this valuable nutrient.
ACEROLA – THE WORLD'S BEST NATURAL SOURCE OF VITAMIN C!
Just three acerola fruits a day are enough to meet an adult's need for invaluable vitamin C. Acerola, also known as the Barbados cherry, contains 4500 mg of vitamin C per 100 g of fruit, which is over 10 times more than blackcurrants, often cited as a leading source of this valuable nutrient.
ACEROLA – AN EXOTIC FRUIT FROM THE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS
Before delving into the health properties of acerola fruits, what it helps with, and how much is needed to meet the body's daily demand for ascorbic acid, let's take a closer look at its history and origin. Acerola is a plant originating from the northern part of South America. It is also cultivated in many other tropical countries in North and Central America. The most useful part is considered to be the exotic acerola fruits, which contain natural vitamin C. Due to the high content of ascorbic acid, extracts from this plant are a common ingredient in dietary supplements that enhance overall immune system function.
The significant interest in this plant is primarily related to its enormous portion of vitamin C. Acerola juice also contains anthocyanins, unsaturated fatty acids, and amino acids such as alanine, proline, aspartic acid, and serine.
VITAMIN, WITHOUT WHICH LIFE IS IMPOSSIBLE
Without an adequate supply of vitamin C, maintaining health is impossible. It activates the immune system, serving as a potent antioxidant that eliminates free radicals from the body.
Though not widely discussed, the presence of vitamin C is also one of the conditions for maintaining healthy joints and strong bones. It's worth noting that the need for vitamin C depends on factors such as body weight and age. Larger amounts of ascorbic acid are needed by pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and smokers, among others. It is also suggested that vitamin C should be taken during colds or periods of increased susceptibility to upper respiratory infections.
Vitamin C, found in fruits like acerola, is essential for the proper functioning of the body. It activates many enzymes, some neurotransmitters, and stimulates collagen synthesis, which is crucial for skin care. It can also delay the aging process. Ascorbic acid is also necessary for wound healing and protecting cells from oxidative stress. Its deficiency can manifest as:
- Fatigue
- Decreased stamina
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle and joint pain
- Easy bruising
- Weakened blood vessels
- Bleeding gums
- Mood swings
- Recurrent infections
Fortunately, preventing a dangerous vitamin C deficiency is easy, and acerola extract can rapidly help replenish its levels. Disturbing symptoms appear relatively early, making it easy to recognize and start ascorbic acid supplementation. In this case, there's no need to worry about excess vitamin C, as the surplus is excreted in the urine within a few hours.
Acerola fruits contain natural vitamin C and ingredients that aid its absorption. The highest vitamin C content is found in green fruits. This means that unripe acerola fruits have the most vitamin C, and the reduction in its content is explained by the process of biochemical oxidation.
ACEROLA – A TREASURE TROVE OF CAROTENOIDS AND ANTHOCYANINS
The appetizing, dark red color of acerola is attributed to another set of valuable antioxidants, called carotenoids, of which 17 types have been identified in the fruit's juice, and anthocyanins. The characteristic health-promoting properties of acerola have shown that these compounds stand out mainly for their high activity against free radicals and reactive oxygen species.
The exotic acerola fruit also contains potassium, iron, calcium, phosphorus, and B vitamins such as thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, and folic acid. These compounds participate in the production of red blood cells, lower cholesterol levels, support the immune system, and counteract depression.
Finally, it's worth adding that acerola fruits are highly perishable, so finding them on store shelves in our part of the world is a miracle. Fortunately, extracts from acerola are available on the market, which, in terms of value, do not fall behind fresh fruits. Dietary supplements with vitamin C obtained from this plant help meet the body's daily demand for ascorbic acid, support the maintenance of normal energy metabolism, and stimulate collagen formation, which is a fundamental building block of the skin and connective tissue. This makes it worthwhile to include this ingredient in daily diet and supplementation.
