Brazilian Acerola Malpighi Glabra Cherry
Also known as: Malpighia emarginata DC., Brazilian acerola, Barbados cherry, West Indian cherry, Malpighia glabra L.
Overview
Brazilian acerola (Malpighia glabra) is a tropical cherry fruit renowned for its exceptionally high vitamin C (ascorbic acid) content and a rich profile of antioxidant phytochemicals, including flavonoids like epicatechin and phenolic acids such as gentisic acid. It is primarily utilized as a natural source of vitamin C and antioxidants in functional foods and dietary supplements. The fruit undergoes significant biochemical changes during ripening, with immature green fruits exhibiting the highest vitamin C concentration, often exceeding 2000 mg per 100 grams of fresh weight, while ripe fruits show an increase in flavonoid content. Research on acerola is moderately developed, with systematic reviews focusing on the genetic diversity that influences fruit quality traits, including vitamin C content. While phytochemical analyses and some in vivo animal studies provide evidence of its properties, comprehensive human clinical trials on its health effects are currently limited.
Benefits
Acerola is a potent natural source of vitamin C, offering significant antioxidant protection and supporting immune system function. Its vitamin C content, particularly in immature fruits, can be over 2000 mg per 100 grams, far surpassing that of many other common fruits. Beyond its primary role as a vitamin C provider, preclinical animal studies have indicated potential antimutagenic and co-adjuvant effects, suggesting it may help protect against DNA damage and oxidative stress. While these findings are promising, human clinical data are sparse, meaning the direct clinical efficacy and specific health benefits in humans are not yet well-characterized. Therefore, acerola holds potential benefits for individuals with vitamin C deficiencies or those experiencing increased oxidative stress, but more robust human trials are needed to confirm these effects. The antioxidant capacity measured in vitro is high, but this does not directly translate to clinical outcomes.
How it works
The primary mechanism of action for acerola's health benefits is attributed to its high concentration of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), a potent water-soluble antioxidant. Vitamin C effectively scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby reducing oxidative stress, and also regenerates other antioxidants within the body. Additionally, flavonoids like epicatechin present in acerola contribute to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Research suggests that compounds in acerola may modulate cellular oxidative stress pathways and enhance DNA repair mechanisms, as evidenced by antimutagenic effects observed in animal models. Vitamin C is absorbed in the intestine via specific sodium-dependent vitamin C transporters, with its bioavailability influenced by the consumed dose and the food matrix.
Side effects
Brazilian acerola is generally considered safe when consumed as a food or in typical supplement doses. The available literature does not report any significant adverse effects at nutritional intake levels. While allergic reactions are theoretically possible with any food product, they have not been specifically documented in the reviewed studies concerning acerola. There are no known major drug interactions or contraindications reported for acerola. Furthermore, while specific studies on acerola's safety during pregnancy and lactation are lacking, vitamin C, its primary active component, is generally regarded as safe for these populations when consumed within recommended dietary allowances. As with any supplement, individuals with pre-existing health conditions or those taking medications should consult a healthcare professional before incorporating acerola into their regimen, although no specific warnings are currently identified.
Dosage
There are no established clinical dosing guidelines specifically for acerola fruit extracts. The vitamin C content in acerola varies significantly depending on the fruit's maturity, with immature fruits containing the highest levels, approximately 2000 mg per 100 grams. When consumed as a supplement, acerola products are typically standardized to their vitamin C content. Common daily doses for general supplementation range from 100 mg to 500 mg of vitamin C. As vitamin C is water-soluble, its bioavailability can be optimized by consuming it in divided doses throughout the day rather than a single large dose. There are no specific upper limits or safety thresholds defined for acerola itself, but general guidelines for vitamin C intake should be followed to avoid potential gastrointestinal upset at very high doses, although such effects are rare with acerola due to its food-based nature.
FAQs
Is acerola a good vitamin C source?
Yes, acerola is one of the richest natural sources of vitamin C, with immature fruits containing exceptionally high concentrations.
Is it safe to consume daily?
Yes, acerola is generally considered safe for daily consumption within normal dietary or supplement ranges, with no reported adverse effects.
Does ripeness affect potency?
Yes, immature acerola fruits have higher vitamin C content, while ripe fruits tend to have higher concentrations of flavonoids.
Are there clinical trials on health benefits?
Human clinical trials on acerola's direct health benefits are limited; most evidence comes from phytochemical analyses and animal studies.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10894179/ – This experimental phytochemical analysis investigated bioactive compounds in acerola fruits at different ripening stages. It found that immature fruits had the highest vitamin C content (2030 mg/100 g), while flavonoid levels increased with ripening, confirming high antioxidant activity. The study provides strong data on the fruit's chemical composition but lacks clinical relevance.
- https://www.alice.cnptia.embrapa.br/alice/bitstream/doc/1160925/1/Genetic-Diversity-on-Acerola-Quality-A-Systematic-Review.pdf – This systematic review, based on 29 studies, focused on the genetic variability of acerola genotypes. It concluded that high genetic diversity significantly impacts vitamin C content and other quality traits, which is crucial for breeding programs. The review is of high quality for genetic research but does not address clinical outcomes.
- https://www.scielo.br/j/babt/a/HYCNp6BcVnMfBdLng3yJssC/ – This systematic review, conducted using PRISMA guidelines, analyzed 29 studies on acerola genotypes. It highlighted the significant genetic variability within acerola, which directly influences its vitamin C content and other quality characteristics. The findings are valuable for understanding the plant's breeding potential but do not provide clinical data on human health.
- https://www.geneticsmr.org/articles/in-vivo-antimutagenic-effects-of-the-barbados-cherry-fruit-malpighia-glabra-linnaeus-in-a-chromosomal-aberration-assay.pdf – This animal study, using a chromosomal aberration assay in mice, investigated the antimutagenic effects of acerola pulp. It demonstrated that acerola exhibited antimutagenic and co-adjuvant effects, reducing DNA damage. While providing preclinical evidence of potential protective properties, it is an animal model with a small sample size and lacks human clinical data.