Skip to main content

Acerola - West Indian Cherry or Barbados Cherry

A tiny red fruit that looks very similar to cherry

Image result for acerola

Acerola is a tropical fruit-bearing shrub or small tree. This small shrub or tree has 5-petaled flowers ranging from pink to white in color. Acerola fruit is a bright red cherry-like fruit containing several small seeds.

Native to which Region:

Acerola is native to the West Indies. It is also found in northern South America, Central America, Texas, and Florida.

Image result for west indies
Image Source: Flickr

Common Names:

Common names include acerola cherry, Brazilian Portuguese, European Portuguese, Barbados cherry, West Indian cherry, wild crepe myrtle and seriz (Haitian Creole).

Scientific Name:

Malpighia emarginata (Family: Malpighiaceae)

How to know if it is Fresh:

It is small, firm, dark red, cherry-like fruit in fresh condition.

plant fruit berry sweet ripe food spring produce fresh juicy healthy delicious cranberry berries raw diet cherry organic flowering plant rose family acerola malpighia nutrient land plant rose order frutti di bosco zante currant
Image Source: PxHere

Taste:

It has a distinct sour taste due to the high Vitamin C content.

Image result for sour
Image Source: Pixabay

Nutrition Facts:

Source: Wikipedia

Why is Acerola good for you:

Acerola is most well-known for being extremely rich in Vitamin C. Because of this, it is often used to help with or prevent colds or flu. It is also used as an Antioxidant nutrient. Together with Vitamin C, Acerola may be taken to boost Immunity.

Image result for immunity
Image Source: Picserver

Is Acerola OK for Pregnancy?

Not enough is known about the use of acerola during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Pregnancy, Mama, Pregnant, Femininity, Happiness
Image Source: Pixabay

Is Cherry juice OK for Diabetics?

A 2014 study concluded that cherry extract has a beneficial effect on diabetic rats. A 2017 journal article concluded that the dietary anthocyanins found in cherries, along with other fruits such as blueberries, appear to be targeting insulin sensitivity and have the potential to modulate conditions such as Diabetes.

Diabetes, Blood Sugar, Diabetic, Medicine, Insulin
Image Source: Pixabay

Effective in which other diseases:

Scorbutic gums.jpg
Image Source: Wikipedia

As a source of Vitamin C, Acerola is likely effective in preventing Scurvy. There is insufficient evidence for the following diseases:
  • Heart disease
  • Common cold
  • Cancer prevention
  • Tooth decay
  • Depression

Dosing:

The appropriate dose of acerola depends on several factors, such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time, there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for acerola. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe dosages can be important.

Warnings & Special Precautions:

Pregnancy and Breast-feeding:

As mentioned above, you should avoid using Acerola during pregnancy.

Gout:

Vitamin C in Acerola might increase uric acid levels and make Gout worse.

File:Gout Signs and Symptoms.jpg
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Kidney Stones:

In large doses, Acerola might increase the chance of getting Kidney Stones. That's because of the Vitamin C in Acerola.

Where to buy?

Plant:

You can buy Acerola plant from Amazon below:

Cherry Powder:

Pure Acerola Cherry Powder can be bought from Amazon below:


SOURCES:

WebMD

Wikipedia

Healthline

RxList

HALF YOUR PLATE

Comments