ACEROLA

  Acerola cherries are generally the size of regular cherries and are orange red to ruby red in color. While they're called "cherries" and look a lot like Bings or Maraschinos, acerolas are technically cherry-like berries, and botanically they are drupes.

Their flavor is tart but sweet, but flavor can vary. The fruit grows on trees/shrubs in Texas, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, India and other areas with consistently warm temperatures. And because the cherries tend to spoil quickly after picking, they're rarely seen in supermarkets. Often, they are made into juice, frozen or dried and ground into a powder (the latter of which is sometimes used as an ingredient in vitamin C supplements).

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Acerola cherries are one of the most potent sources of ascorbic acid, a natural form of vitamin C, and offer a good amount of phytonutrients like carotenoids, flavonoids and anthocyanins that may play a role in chronic disease prevention. According to the USDA, 1 cup of acerola juice has 56 calories, 1 gram of protein, 12 g of carbs (including 11 g of sugar) and 1 g of fat. It also has 3,870 milligrams of vitamin C. This is far more than the 84 mg of vitamin C in a cup of orange juice. One cup of acerola cherries has 24 times more vitamin C than one large orange. The content of vitamin C in acerola varies with ripeness (highest in green and lowest in fully ripened fruit). It also varies with the season and climate. Vitamin C analysis regarding acerola storage finds freezing the fruits to be the best way to preserve vitamin C, as compared with room temperature or refrigeration. In addition, acerola contains vitamin A (4,300 to 12,500 IU/100 g) at about the same level as in carrots. Other constituents include thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, iron, and bioflavonoids. It also contains phosphorus, malic acid, pantothenic acid, potassium, and magnesium. The sugars dextrose, fructose, and sucrose are also present. Acerola analysis in another report finds protein, fiber, lipids, and fatty acids. Zinc and other minerals are present, as well.

Acerola berries contain B-vitamins, which help to keep your metabolism running at a healthy rate. The B-vitamins found within Acerola berries are riboflavin, folic acid, and niacin. If you’re looking for a way to help manage your diabetes, Acerola cherries may be of some service. This tiny fruit helps to regulate the release of glucose and insulin into the bloodstream, helping to prevent spikes and drops in the blood sugar.

With all the collagen-boosting antioxidants loaded in these little berries, Acerola is a fantastic and delicious way to prevent the development of fine lines and sun damage. Antioxidants help to scavenge cell-damaging free radicals and help to repair any damage done to cells. Meanwhile, the carotenoids found in Acerola cherries help to maintain healthy vision and keep the skin healthy and looking smooth. Bioflavonoids help to slow the development of age-related degeneration and help to keep cognition and memory sharp.

When consumed in large amounts, Acerola cherries may cause gastrointestinal upset, leading to such unpleasant symptoms as diarrhea, cramping, and nausea. Due to the high vitamin C content of this fruit, those suffering from kidney stones or gout may want to consume this fruit with caution or only do so under the supervision of a physician. It is currently unknown whether or not Acerola cherries have an adverse affect on women who are pregnant or nursing. It’s wise to err on the side of caution and avoid this fruit while pregnant or nursing. Acerola cherries and supplements may interact with blood thinners and therefore should be avoided by those taking blood-thinning medications. Acerola cherries and supplements may interfere with hormone therapy.