Acerola – benefits and medicinal properties

Acerola, also known as Barbados cherry, is not only exotic, but also full of compounds that are beneficial to health. It is increasingly common in the product ranges of both food and dietary supplement manufacturers. It is characterised by its high vitamin C content.

1. Acerola – the highest vitamin C content
2. Pure ascorbic acid or acerola?
3. How to use acerola?

Acerola – the highest vitamin C content

Acerola is a unique fruit, as it boasts one of the world's highest levels of ascorbic acid, or vitamin C. This was observed shortly after World War II in Puerto Rico. Acerola grows on trees in tropical and subtropical regions (Malpighia emarginata trees are cultivated from the southern United States to northern South America, as well as in the Caribbean and some states of India).

The fruit usually reaches no more than 5 cm in diameter and weighs several grams. In shops, they are usually found in dried or otherwise processed form. Despite their small size, they are full of substances with antioxidant properties, among others. In addition to vitamin C, of course, these include carotenoids, flavonoids and anthocyanins. The riper the fruit, the higher their concentration.

Pure ascorbic acid or acerola?

Acerola fruit contains several dozen times more vitamin C than citrus fruits, for example. For this reason, it is considered one of the best foods for treating scurvy (a disease whose main symptom is impaired collagen production, for which vitamin C is used by the body). In addition, acerola can be a valuable aid in the treatment of anaemia, as ascorbic acid is known to improve the absorption of iron from the gastrointestinal tract.

Although there are few available results from human studies on the therapeutic effects of acerola, it has been shown, among other things, that it has a more beneficial effect on maintaining high levels of vitamin C in the body than, for example, the supply of ascorbic acid alone.

How to use acerola?

Recommendations for acerola dosage vary depending on many variables, such as gender, age, height, body weight, overall diet, level of physical activity, and lifestyle. It should be remembered that people who regularly participate in sports, those who do both physical and mental work, those who care about the condition of their skin, joints or blood vessels, but also those who struggle with certain metabolic disorders, neglect sleep, are exposed to high levels of stress and use stimulants (mainly cigarettes and alcohol).

Acerola is best used after carefully assessing your needs and daily ascorbic acid intake (bearing in mind the loss of vitamin C associated with the culinary processing of food products). It is often available in powder form, allowing for flexible portioning.