The acerola is believed to originate from the Yucatan (linguistic evidence) and is distributed from South Texas, through Mexico (especially on the West Coast from Sonora to Guerrero) and Central America to northern South America (Venezuela, Surinam, Columbia) and throughout the Caribbean (Bahamas to Trinidad). Acerola has now been successfully introduced in sub-tropical areas throughout the world (Southeast Asia, India, South America), and some of the largest plantings are in Brazil.
Large, relatively fast growing bushy shrub or small tree (to 15 feet). Can be pruned to any desired shape, but grows best as a managed shrub. Multiple or single trunks which can be trained. Occasionally, bushes appear to be composed of canes. Branches are brittle, and easily broken. Leaves may be irritating to some people. The root system is shallow, and trees can be toppled by wind, but they can be uprighted and recover over time.
Acerola leaves are dark to light green, glossy when mature, obviate to lanceolate, with minute hairs which can be irritating. Foliage will drop during water stress, but recovers well with flush and flowering.
The flowers are sessile or on short-peduncled cymes, with small pink to white flowers with five petals. Up to 90% of flowers fall from tree, but "Blossom Set" can be used to counter this effect. Flowering can occur throughout the year, but is typically in cycles associated with rain. Irrigation can be used to induce flowering. Flowering occurs primarily on old growth. Pollination rarely observed, but thought to be by the solitary bee, Centris. Honeybees do not appear effective (contested). Cross-pollination may or may not be required depending on variety or strain (contested). In available cultivars, fruit does set without obvious pollinators or need for cross-pollination.
Fruits are round to oblate, cherry-like but with 3 lobes. They are bright red (rarely yellow-orange) with thin skin, easily bruised. The pulp is juicy, acid to sub-acid occasionally nearly sweet, with a delicate flavor and apple notes. The fruit is very high in Vitamin C, up to 4,000 mg per 100 g fresh weight, but typically around 1,500 mg C. Green fruits have twice the Vitamin C level of mature fruits. Fruits develop to maturity in less than 25 days. Seeds typically three with fluted wings, forming a triangle. Many aspects of seed viability have not been studied.
The unripe acerola fruit contains vitamin C in incredibly large amounts. Along with vitamin C, it also contains mineral salts, calcium, phosphorous, iron, carotene, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and proteins. It is said to strengthen the immune system. The presence of these substances makes the acerola fruit rich in anti-oxidant activity and increases acerola benefits. It also helps fight diseases caused by bacteria, fungi and viruses. It also promotes anti-aging effects by eliminating the harmful effects of free radicals. Free radicals cause oxidative damage to the body, which results in the weakening of the immune system.
Acerola has also been used in the treatment of flu and colds, pulmonary disturbances, liver illnesses and gall bladder diseases. It is also seen that when used in heavy doses, acerola is effective on viral hepatitis, varicella as well as poliomyelitis. It is also said to be used as an effective measure to prevent cancer, and thus patients are advised to have it after the cancer treatment.
Acerola also helps in reducing herpes symptoms like pain, redness and swelling, as it helps to reduce mucus, which is one of the causes for the herpes virus to multiply. It is also useful in the prevention of Parkinson's disease as it has a balancing effect on the blood fat level and intra ocular pressure. As the fruit ripens, its levels of vitamin C reduce but flavonoids increase, these have attributes of antioxidants. Acerola benefits can be reaped as it is predominantly used because of its antiseptic, anti-aging and immunity increasing properties.
It is said that the acerola extract contains 32 times more vitamin C as compared to orange juice! It is an excellent remedy for discoloration of skin and helps in natural control of blood sugar. If small children cannot take the high acid content of oranges, acerola extract can be added to apple juice to strengthen the juice with vitamin C. Acerola extract can also help in reducing the blood sugar levels. Thus, acerola benefits can be seen in bringing blood sugar level to a normal range when used as a food supplement. Acerola extracts are used in beauty products like bleaches and skin whitening products. The fruit extract has properties that help prevent skin discoloration.
The acerola fruit has definitely come a long way from being an obscure tropical fruit. The awareness about acerola benefits are increasing. So, each time you relish the acerola fruit, keep in mind it is not just any other fruit!
Acerola can cause a false negative result in stool occult blood tests if you ingest it 47 to 72 hours before a test, according to "The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide" by George T. Grossberg. Acerola can also give you a false decrease in a glucose oxidase test like Clinistix if you ingest more than 500 milligrams of acerola-vitamin C prior to the test. It can also cause a false increase on a cupric sulfate test such as Clinitest.
Acerola can also interact with many prescription drugs, so you should consult your doctor before taking acerola. Grossberg also warns that taking acerola while on fluphenazine can decrease levels of the drug in the blood and it can also reduce the anticoagulant activity of warfarin.
If you take more than two grams per day of acerola, you may experience nausea, diarrhea and abdominal cramps, although there have been some reports of such symptoms from as little as one gram per day. According to the Purdue University Horticulture Department's report on acerola, physicians in Curacao reported that children often require treatment for intestinal inflammation and obstruction caused by eating wild Barbados cherries. Due to the acidic content of acerola, esophagitis can also occur if you use acerola for a prolonged period of time.
If you ingest large enough quantities of acerola, the vitamin C content may enhance iron absorption, leading to iron poisoning, which is mostly a problem if you have a rare iron overload disorder, such as haemochromatosis. Higher doses can also cause hemolysis, an abnormal breakdown of red blood cells either in the blood vessels leading to a form of anemia, although this is primarily seen in patients who have a concurrent glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
Although the relationship between higher doses of any vitamin C product like acerola and the development of kidney stones is controversial, one study at the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Washington State University, found that 1,000 milligrams of ascorbic acid twice each day increased urinary oxalate and Tiselius Risk Index for calcium oxalate kidney stones in 40 percent of participants, both those who formed stones and those who didn't.
Some people have experienced a migraine headache with doses as high as 6 grams per day, as well as other nervous system side effects such as dizziness, faintness and fatigue. If you are prone to migraines or dizziness, you should avoid taking large doses of acerola.
... lowers cholesterol September 08, 2009, From Indiana
Acerola is the best source of Vitamin C... I did a lot of research on lowering cholesterol and found out that humans are the only animals that don't produce vitamin C in our bodies. Cholesterol is a natural function of the body to heal cracks in arteries and veins. Vitamin C is beneficial in many ways and one is that it heals the cracks so the body doesn't have to use cholesterol. My cholesterol went down 70 points after I started using this. I put a little bit in a cup of water with each meal and sip through a straw. Very little taste, it's just that with anything I drink but water I use a straw to lessen contact with tooth enamel. It can cause diahrrhea after a meal if you use too much -- just cut down if it happens. It doesn't happen if you use probiotics, which I do.
LOve Acerola Powder April 19, 2009, From Idaho
I get cold sores when I take regular vitamin C. This is great all the benefit no cold sores. Would buy it in a larger container if available.
ACEROLA October 31, 2009, From North Carolina
I found out about this product last year and have found it to be much better that regular Vitamin C. I took it daily and did not get any cold symptoms last year.
Affordable, natural vitamin C - but with added maltodextrin May 13, 2008, From Great Britain
This is the best way to get your all-natural vitamin C, instead of that artificially produced stuff that you get at the Vitamin Shoppe and the likes. The only downside is the added maltodextrin, to prevent lumping - but I do not care about any lumps. Just leave maltodextrin out of it, please.
acerola May 04, 2008, By patricia armstrong From California
good product, a natural vitamin c, doesn't dehydrate you like a lot of vitamin c's