What is Acerola Cherry?

Acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) also known as Barbados cherry or West Indian cherry is an evergreen shrub which flourishes in warm and tropical climates and bears small cherry-like fruit – which is known to be one of the richest natural sources of vitamin C in the world. As well as an exorbitant amount of vitamin C, the acerola cherry also contains several phytonutrients, such as carotenoids, phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanins.

Vitamin C

The fruit contains an extremely high level of vitamin C, in the range of 1500–4500 mg/100 g, which is around 50–100 times than that of oranges or lemons!

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that also serves as an antioxidant. It supports several important functions within the body—including proper immune system function, tissue healing, collagen formation, maintenance of bones and cartilage, and optimal absorption of iron. Due to its antioxidant capacity, it also serves to combat oxidative stress within the body.

Perhaps vitamin C’s best-known benefit is the positive effect it has on our immune system. Vitamin C has been shown to support immunity by protecting against oxidative stress, helping to kill pathogenic microbes and reducing damage to tissues. A deficiency in vitamin C can also leave us more susceptible to colds and flu.

Humans are unable to synthesise vitamin C in the body, so it extremely important that they obtain a regular intake through diet.

Phytonutrients

These plant nutrients are known to have diverse biological activities which can have beneficial effects on a number of physiological and biochemical processes in the human body and offer protection against a range of chronic diseases. Acerola is one of the few fruits, which alongside vitamin C, also contains a plethora of other phytonutrients like phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins and carotenoids. These nutrients, alongside vitamin C, can also help to protect our cells against free radical damage and oxidative stress.

The acerola fruit also contains pro-vitamin A, vitamins B1 and B2, niacin, iron, phosphorus and calcium – and is aptly considered a “super fruit”.

Pectin

The acerola cherry is a good source of pectin; a polysaccharide which is rich in soluble fibre and can support digestive health, help to promote satiety and can even help to support healthy cholesterol levels.  

Is Acerola Better than Synthetic Ascorbic Acid? 

It has been reported that vitamin C, as acerola cherry is better absorbed by human beings than synthetic ascorbic acid, which is thought to be due to the naturally occurring phytonutrients in acerola that work in synergy with vitamin C to enhance their absorption and activity. Therefore, a supplement of wholefood acerola cherry is extremely Bio-effective and could be a preferable alternative to isolated ascorbic acid.

Acerola cherry, alongside other food sources of vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, leafy vegetables, tomatoes, potatoes and sweet potatoes provide vitamin C as part of a natural food complex, and it is these associated food factors that support and promote vitamin C’s absorption and retention by the body.

Many of the vitamin C supplements available on the market are as isolated, synthetic ascorbic acid – but the main difference between wholefood vitamin C supplements, such as acerola cherry, and ascorbic acid, is in its absorption potential. Acerola cherry also offers a mildly acidic form of vitamin C, which is gentle on the digestive system, as opposed to the highly acidic ascorbic acid.