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Maqui berry concentrate

Also known as: Maqui berry, Chilean wineberry, Delphinol®, Aristotelia chilensis

Overview

Maqui berry, scientifically known as *Aristotelia chilensis*, is a dark purple berry native to southern Chile and Argentina. It is exceptionally rich in anthocyanins, particularly delphinidins and cyanidins, which are potent flavonoid pigments with significant antioxidant properties. Primarily used as a dietary supplement, maqui berry concentrate is valued for its potential benefits in supporting cardiovascular health, improving metabolic function, and providing robust antioxidant support. Its high concentration of delphinidin anthocyanins sets it apart from many other berries. Research indicates its potential role in glucose homeostasis and reducing risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome. While several randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses support the benefits of anthocyanin-rich berries, more direct, large-scale studies specifically on maqui are needed to solidify its evidence base.

Benefits

Maqui berry concentrate offers several evidence-based benefits, primarily due to its high anthocyanin content. A randomized crossover trial demonstrated improvements in vascular function markers, such as endothelial function and blood pressure, in healthy adults using a standardized maqui extract (Delphinol®). This study also noted significant acute improvements in glucose homeostasis and reductions in blood glucose and lipid levels, potentially by inhibiting sodium glucose cotransporters. Meta-analyses of anthocyanin-rich berry intake, including maqui, consistently show reductions in key metabolic syndrome risk factors like LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure, alongside improvements in HDL cholesterol. Secondary benefits include antioxidant effects, observed in animal models, protecting against oxidative stress and lipid oxidation. While direct human evidence for anti-inflammatory effects specific to maqui is limited, it is inferred from general anthocyanin activity. These benefits are most pronounced in healthy adults and individuals with metabolic syndrome or dyslipidemia. While statistically significant, the improvements in lipid profiles and blood pressure are modest, and acute glucose-lowering effects require confirmation in longer-term studies. Acute effects on glucose and lipids can be observed within hours, while vascular benefits typically require about 8 weeks of supplementation.

How it works

Maqui berry exerts its beneficial effects primarily through its rich anthocyanin content, particularly delphinidins. Its primary mechanism involves potent antioxidant activity, which reduces oxidative stress throughout the body. It also influences glucose metabolism by inhibiting sodium glucose cotransporters, thereby reducing glucose absorption and contributing to improved glucose homeostasis. In the cardiovascular system, maqui berry modulates endothelial nitric oxide synthase, leading to improved endothelial function and potentially reduced blood pressure. The anthocyanins and their metabolites are well-absorbed, with measurable plasma levels appearing within hours post-ingestion, allowing them to interact with various body systems to reduce lipid peroxidation and potentially modulate inflammatory signaling.

Side effects

Maqui berry concentrate is generally considered safe and well-tolerated, with clinical studies reporting no serious adverse events. Common side effects (occurring in more than 5% of users) have not been consistently reported. Similarly, uncommon side effects (1-5%) are not significantly documented in available data. Rare side effects (less than 1%) have not been observed in published randomized controlled trials. There are no well-documented drug interactions, but caution is advised for individuals taking glucose-lowering medications due to the potential for additive effects on blood glucose levels. Formal contraindications have not been established. However, due to a lack of specific data, caution is recommended for pregnant and lactating women. Most studies have been conducted in healthy adults or patients with metabolic syndrome, so data on other special populations are limited.

Dosage

Clinical studies utilizing standardized maqui extracts, such as Delphinol®, have typically used doses providing approximately 100-320 mg of total anthocyanins per day, with observed benefits. These standardized extracts are preferred as they ensure a consistent anthocyanin content. For acute effects on glucose and lipids, benefits can be seen within hours of ingestion. For more chronic benefits, such as improvements in vascular function, supplementation over several weeks (e.g., 8 weeks) is recommended. The maximum safe dose has not been formally established, but no toxicity has been reported at the doses studied. Maqui anthocyanin monomers exhibit higher bioavailability compared to polymerized forms found in other berries. No specific cofactors are identified as necessary for its efficacy. It is important to note that these dosages refer to standardized extracts, not fresh berries, as extracts provide a much higher and more bioavailable concentration of anthocyanins.

FAQs

Is maqui berry concentrate safe?

Yes, clinical trials indicate that maqui berry concentrate is generally safe and well-tolerated, with no serious adverse effects reported.

How quickly does it work?

Acute effects on blood glucose and lipids can be observed within hours, while benefits for vascular function may require consistent supplementation over several weeks.

Can it replace medications?

No, maqui berry concentrate is a supplement and should not replace prescribed medications. It may complement existing treatments, but always consult a healthcare professional.

Is fresh berry equivalent to extract?

No, standardized extracts provide a significantly higher and more bioavailable concentration of anthocyanins compared to fresh maqui berries.

Are all anthocyanins equal?

No, maqui berry is uniquely rich in delphinidin anthocyanins, which may confer distinct health benefits compared to other types of anthocyanins.

Research Sources

https://www.memphis.edu/nutraceutical/pdfs/16-2021-jfns-delphinol.pdf – This randomized crossover trial investigated a standardized maqui extract (Delphinol®) in healthy adults. It found improvements in vascular function, acute reductions in blood glucose and lipid levels, and good bioavailability of maqui anthocyanins, despite a small sample size and short duration.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9382680/ – This systematic review and meta-analysis on anthocyanin-rich berries, including maqui, concluded that berry intake can reduce metabolic syndrome risk factors such as LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure, while improving HDL cholesterol. It is a high-quality study using Cochrane methods, though it noted heterogeneity among studies.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10204221/ – This systematic review and meta-analysis focused on anthocyanins and cardiovascular disease. It found that anthocyanins generally reduce cardiovascular risk markers and improve lipid profiles. The study is of high quality with robust statistical methods, but it highlighted the variation in anthocyanin sources and limited maqui-specific data.