A Slice Of The Awesome Acerola
It’s tangy, juicy, healthy, and delicious. We are talking about acerola, also known as the West Indian cherry or the Barbados cherry. This tiny, red cherry is a goldmine of nutrients, especially Vitamin C, and is very popular. However, you might mostly find supplements and juices of acerola as the fresh fruit very rare due to its highly perishable nature.
Are you interested in this delicate yet powerfully healthy cherry? It is precisely why we are bringing to you this article on the benefits of acerola cherry. Read ahead and get to know about the awesome acerola NOW!
Let us begin our benefits of acerola journey with a glance at the nutritional profile of acerola. It gives you a headstart on what gems of nutrients might be found in our treasure trove acerola.
Nutritional Profile for Acerola
Did you see the unbelievably high amounts of Vitamin C and a meager count of cholesterol present in acerola? Itself speaks volumes about the benefits of acerola.
So, let us not waste time and scoop right into the benefits of acerola!
Health Benefits of Acerola
Acerola cherry takes the cherry (pun intended) when it comes to Vitamin C. Most benefits of acerola are a direct result of its Vitamin C richness. Since Vitamin C is an essential nutrient and is water-soluble, we need to take daily doses of it, and here is where acerola jumps in.
This vitamin is an antioxidant that prevents free radical cell damage caused by pollution, UV radiation, etc. while protecting the body from inflammation.
Flavonoids in acerola are the other antioxidants, especially in the fresh fruit form of acerola.
Vitamin C also helps in building collagen, protects mucous membranes, and fights against scurvy. It also helps in boosting our immune system fighting against cold, flu, etc.
It may even help against cancer, though more research is needed to confirm the same.
Dosage & Side Effects
Acerola is very rich in Vitamin C which may often result in over dosage of it is strongly recommended that one takes only the recommended dosage of this fruit like a Vitamin C supplement (if you are taking this fruit in a non-supplement form).
If you have any prescription dosage for Vitamin C, follow it.1 cup of fresh fruit provides 1,644 mg of vitamin C 1 cup of juice provides 3,872 mg.
The recommended dosage of Vitamin C is just 75 milligrams for women and 90 milligrams for men. An overdose of vitamin C may cause:
- Headache & Migraine
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Frequent urination
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Digestive cramps,
It may also cause rebound scurvy if your body is getting used to large doses of vitamin C.
Acerola also interferes with clinical tests and prescription drugs, especially birth control pills and other estrogen-containing medications, which is why you should consult your doctor before taking acerola.
Vitamin A
Acerola is quite rich in Vitamin A, a powerful antioxidant and excellent for the eyes. This vitamin also plays an essential part in giving you the skin of your dreams.
Strength of Bones
Calcium can also be counted as one of the benefits of Acerola. Present in reasonable quantities, calcium helps maintain the strength of bones and teeth.
Helps Cardiac Health
Contracting of muscles and beating of the heart. And since our body cannot make its calcium, Acerola can be a good source for it.
Read Also: Benefits of Pecan Health For Cardiac Health
Helps in Metabolism
Acerola also contains good amounts of iron which is essential for a healthy and metabolically active life. Vitamins B-3, B-1, and B-2 are also present in Acerola, helping maintain a healthy body and an active life.
Helps For Kidney
Phosphorus is also present as a nutrient in Acerola, which has many health benefits such as ensuring healthy teeth, bones, cell repair, maintaining the growth of RNA and DNA, helping in kidney waste removal, etc
Small amounts of potassium, magnesium, and folate are also present, helping in cardiovascular and bone strength. Folate is especially good for fetal development.
An important point to note is that Acerola loses its Vitamin C content as it ripens and it ripens real fast. This is why it is suggested that we grow our own Acerola and freeze them immediately after picking them up. The berries, i.e., the raw, fresh fruit, are the best way to eat Acerola, but many supplements are also available since the fruit decays within five days.
Apart from the health and nutritional benefits of Acerola, it is also used for its antidepressant, antifungal, enhancing athletic endurance, and astringent properties. It can also help with diarrhea and dysentery.
The benefits and risks have Acerola take precautions and consult doctor taken while consuming Acerola.
See Also: Diet For Kidney Stones
Bottom Line
- Pregnant women are advised to consult their doctor before eating acerola in any dosage.
- Supplements should only be taken with doctor’s advice and the recommended dosage should be strictly followed. Fresh fruit is always better than supplements.
Therefore, we recommend you follow the safety precautions and keep munching onto your acerola slice, or keep slurping your acerola juice or keep enjoying the delicious jam or dish that you have whipped up with our sweet, tangy friend, acerola over here!!
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