Maqui berry, or also known as Chilean Wineberry, is a tree species which is native to Chile. It is laden with dark purple berries. It has been consumed since long time ago as a fresh fruit in juice form. Nowadays, it is now found as a freeze-dried powder which is made from the whole fruit.
In two teaspoons of organic maqui berry, you can get 20 calories, 0 grams of protein, 4 grams of carbs and 0 grams of fat. It is mainly composed of carbs, which is mostly come from fiber. Surprisingly, this fruit is fat free, so it is good for your diet program. Besides, it is also full of nutrients, such as potassium, vitamin A, C, B1, B3, folate and many more.
With those nutrients, we surely can get a lot of health benefits by consuming it. Let’s see what you need to know about these super health benefits of maqui berry.
- Help Fight Free Radicals
As maqui berry is rich in antioxidants, especially anthocyanins, maqui berry is a perfect fruit that may help you fight free radicals. The antioxidants in this fruit help fight radicals and protect cells from oxidative stress, damage, and inflammation. Including these antioxidants in your diet may also help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disorders, diabetes and cancer.
- Help Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Besides fighting free radicals, anthocyanins also helps in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Their extracts also help reduce inflammation in human aortic endothelial cells. As maqui berry is rich in antioxidant and anthocyanin, it may also help reduce the risk of heart attacks.
- Aid Blood Sugar Control
Maqui berry extracts are rich in delphinol, which is able to lower blood glucose in prediabetic individuals. Taking 180 mg of maqui berry extracts daily was proven to help reducing blood glucose levels by 5%.
Are you suffering from diabetes? You can consider consuming coconut oil and read more about it in health benefits of coconut oil for diabetes.
- Fight Inflammation
Maqui berry is rich in anti-inflammatory properties and contains phenolics, such as anthocyanins, flavonoids and organic acids. Consuming maqui berries is able to help fight inflammatory disorders, such as heart disease, diabetes and arthritis. The berry extracts are also found to be effective to improve resistance infections while lowering the oxidative stress in the lungs.
- Help Reduce Cancer Risk
Again, the anthocyanins, flavonoids and organic acids found in maqui berry extracts were shown to be able to inhibit the growth of cancer cells in the colon. Therefore, the study published in the Journal of Berry Research reported that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of maqui berry extracts against human color cancer cells.
Cancer is another killing disease. If you want to prevent yourself from getting one, consider reading these health benefits of eating bulalo soup.
- Boost Immune System
Its high level of vitamin C enables maqui berry to help strengthen the immune system. It may help boost warding off any unwanted illnesses.
- Promote Healthy Skin
There are some studies which have shown that maqui berries nourish healthy skin cells. The ellagic acid in maqui berry may be able to suppress the skin damage that break down collagen. Due to its high level of antioxidant, maqui berry is also able to promote skin cell regeneration and reduce skin inflammation.
Do you know that cod liver oil is also beneficial for your skin? Read more about it in benefits of cod liver oil for skin.
- Good for Your Eyes
Your eyes are exposed to many different types of light per day, such as the sun in the sky to the blue light in our phones and laptops. Too much exposure to light can cause damage to your eyes.
Fortunately, studies have shown that antioxidants in maqui berry can prevent light-induced damage to the retina.
- Boost your Brain Function
There were some studies which have been proven that consuming maqui berry on a regular basis can improve the brain function and maintain good mental health. It is due to its potassium which is able to improve the blood circulation to the brain. It provides sufficient oxygen and nutrition to our brain.
How to consume maqui berries? You can enjoy eating maqui berries in the form of juices and supplement powders. You can add them into your desserts, oatmeal, smoothies or even yogurt. You can talk or consult with your doctor to make sure about it.
If you like other berries, you can try consuming golden berries and blueberries. Health benefits of golden berries and health benefits of dried blueberries.