No products in the cart.
super food guide
Acerola: the complete guide
23
Jun
Jun
Don't know which products to eat to reach your health goals?
Find out in less than a minute by making your personalized diagnosis.
Acerola has its origin in South America and the Caribbean. The fruit of this tree can reach 6 meters high (and wingspan!) is also called Barbados cherry or West Indian cherry.
This cherry-like superfood is mainly known for its vitamin C content (20 to 30 times more than an orange!). It is also the 2nd most vitamin-rich fruit in the world, just behind the Camu Camu with which it has certain similarities.
This superfruit rich in minerals and antioxidants hides many secrets. It’s high time to reveal them in the open!
Quick Navigation
• The benefits of acerola
• The origins of acerola
• Expert opinions
• Adverse reactions, precautions and contraindications
• Dosage
• Shopping tips
• Our superfood combos
The benefits of acerola
Brings energy and tone
Our superfood of the day is an important source of energy due to its high content of vitamin C. This incredible vitamin brings us tone, vitality and acts against chronic and physical fatigue (which mainly concern athletes and hyperactive).
An energy used and diffused wisely because it promotes muscle recovery after exercise and improves memory as well as concentration.
Against fatigue, overwork and stress
In winter, when fruits rich in vitamin C are scarce, or during the change of seasons, a cure of acerola is welcome. Fighting fatigue, stress and even burn-out is part of its competence.
Vitamin C gives us energy and allows us to reduce the levels of cortisol in the body (a hormone secreted in response to stress).
Anti-aging and revitalizing power
It is now obvious that the vitamin C contained in acerola has many powers. In its fight against aging, it has more than one trick up its sleeve. Vitamin C is indeed necessary in the synthesis of collagen (hydration, suppleness, elasticity and resistance of the skin), but it also plays the role of antioxidant which allows to fight the free radicals, responsible for the cellular oxidation.
In addition to increasing the absorption of iron, vitamin C has a revitalizing effect. It promotes the strengthening and proper development of bones, teeth and also has a say in healing and muscle growth. In case of a fracture or a wound that heals with difficulty, try an acerola cure!
Detoxification of the body
Every day, our body faces multiple toxins. This happens through water, pollution or even food. Vitamin C (helped by vitamins A and E), reduces the number of toxins present in the body. The vitamins and amino acids contained in acerola will allow your body to purify itself.
Acerola is also useful in case of alcoholism, smoking and detoxification.
Stimulates the natural defenses and the immune system
Vitamin C helps to strengthen the immune system and stimulate the body’s natural defenses. Being essential for the creation of antibodies, it therefore has an antiviral effect.
In winter, when deficiencies are most felt, vitamin C helps fight infections and winter illnesses such as colds, flu, bronchitis, etc. In these difficult periods, it gives a boost to white blood cells to neutralize bacteria.
For its part, vitamin C helps to combat visual fatigue and dizziness, improves blood circulation, lowers cholesterol and prevents cardiovascular diseases as well as cancer.
The origins of acerola
Acerola grows in the sun in tropical and subtropical areas. Cultivated in South America and the West Indies, this superfruit has many properties. For example, it is consumed in the form of juice for a boost in Brazil and used in powder form in traditional medicine among the Amazonian Indians.
Expert opinions
Acerola is recognized by experts for fighting diseases such as scurvy, dysentery and anemia.
Prevention of cancer
It has been shown that the diverse mixture of antioxidants present in acerola allows the neutralization of the harmful effects of free radicals in the body, and therefore the slowing of the spread of lung cancer in patients suffering from this disease.
In 2004, a Japanese study proved that acerola has a toxic effect on cancer cells.
Antibacterial and antifungal treatment
Years after Guatemalan scientists discovered the power of acerola to treat pathogenic fungi, Japanese researchers have demonstrated its antibacterial properties.
Adverse reactions, precautions and contraindications
Adverse reactions
Even if acerola remains natural, it is possible that you will encounter adverse effects in case of an overdose (due to its vitamin C content). If you want to avoid any inconvenience such as diarrhea, nausea, dyspepsia (abdominal pain), do not consume more than 4g per day.
Precaution
If you are undergoing medical treatment or are taking beta-coagulants or anticoagulants, consult your doctor before consuming acerola.
Contraindications
Acerola is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women and is only reserved for adults. This fruit is also contraindicated for people who are allergic to it as well as for people suffering from gout or with a history of kidney stones.
Dosage
The appropriate dose will depend on the needs and age of each individual. The average dosage varies between 1g and 4g per day. It is not recommended to exceed 4g (and the maximum dose is 1g of fruit pulp per day). Do not hesitate to consult your doctor so that he/she can help you find the dosage that corresponds to your needs.
Acerola: shopping tips
How to consume acerola?
It is possible to find acerola in the form of fruit, tablets/ capsules, powder or even fruit juice.
Since the fruit juice is very acidic, we recommend that you mix it with another juice that you enjoy. Know that 100ml of acerola juice provides a contribution of 650mg of vitamin C.
If you can’t find acerola juice worthy of the name, choose powder instead of tablets. You are more likely to find natural vitamin C. It is recommended to take 1g per day, diluted in a drink during breakfast. This dose will bring you 220mg of natural vitamin C! Regarding the choice of the powder, it is better to choose one from Brazil.
If you still choose the tablets to suck or chew, take them 1 to 3 times a day after meals.
Scams in sight!
Acerola is unfortunately the source of many scams. Most of the time, these scams affect acerola in capsules and tablets.
Despite the fact that manufacturers certify vitamin C as “pure” in their products, it is very rare to find it really pure. In fact, it is often mixed with synthetic vitamin C and sometimes contains other substances such as additives.
It is good to know that if vitamin C is natural and comes from acerola, the maximum dosage will be 120mg (for a 2g tablet). It is technically impossible to integrate more vitamin C extracted from acerola.
Some packaging such as “Acerola 500” implies that there is as much natural vitamin C in a tablet as indicated by the name of the product. However, it actually contains 500 mg of acerola extract and not 500 mg of vitamin C. As said previously, a tablet can contain a maximum of 120 mg because the vitamin content of an extract is 25% maximum.
To summarize, remember that it is impossible that a manufacturer can guarantee you 500mg (or more) of natural vitamin C in a tablet. In these cases, synthetic vitamin C is added and is therefore not pure.
Where to buy it?
You can find acerola in organic stores, on the internet and in some pharmacies (be careful, however, to check the composition carefully).
Our superfood combos!
Multiple combinations are possible between acerola and other superfoods. Here is just for you, our selection of the best combos with our super-fruit of the day!
Anti-stress and anti-fatigue: acerola and ginseng
Muscle recovery: acerola and spirulina / ginseng
Helps concentration and memory: acerola and maca
Boost: acerola and royal jelly
Need for iron: acerola and spirulina
Probably the best organic spirulina
Certified AB and Ecocert France
100% pure organic spirulina
Cultivated in spring water
Don't know which products to eat to reach your health goals?
Find out in less than a minute by making your personalized diagnosis.
