What is Acerola Cherry Vitamin C Extract? Acerola cherry is a fruit-bearing tree that is native to Paraguay, Brazil, Central America, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and southern Mexico. While it’s predominantly a tropical plant, some subtropical regions cultivate acerola cherry. Acerola fruit is usually sour due to its acidity, but it can be sweet with the proper cultivation. It goes by many names, including Barbados cherry, Guarani cherry, and West Indian cherry. Acerola cherry has numerous botanical synonyms, including Malpighia glabra, Malpighia emarginata, and Malpighia punicifolia. Acerola trees take three years to mature and produce bright red fruits called drupes. They bear a strong resemblance to cherries, hence why so many of its common names include the word cherry. Despite appearances, acerola fruit is not a type of cherry. Potential Acerola Benefits Acerola cherry is an effective antioxidant and can combat oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when free radicals known as oxygen reactive species (ROS) accumulate faster than the body can detoxify them. Oxidative stress contributes to premature aging and can worsen or lead to numerous health problems. Acerola cherry may also provide a boost to the immune system thanks to its high antioxidant and vitamin C content. Acerola also has a lightening effect on pigmentation and dark spots caused by UV rays. Acerola cherry may provide more reliable benefits than vitamin C supplements, as the body has an easier time absorbing vitamin C from acerola cherry than it does from synthetic forms of ascorbic acid. Potential Vitamin C Benefits Acerola cherry fruit has exceptionally high levels of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), delivering more than 50 times the amount of ascorbic acid found in oranges. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects against oxidative damage by scavenging free radicals. It can also regenerate other antioxidants through redox recycling, such as vitamin E. Vitamin C supplements also support the immune system by producing white blood cells and improving how they function. White blood cells amass high levels of vitamin C and gain antioxidant protection against oxidative damage. Vitamin C helps reduce inflammation caused by free radicals and modulates the inflammatory immune response. It also participates in all phases of wound healing and promotes collagen synthesis. Potential Acerola Cherry Vitamin C Side Effects Acerola Cherry Vitamin C Extract does not typically cause side effects in most individuals. Taking large doses may cause digestive side effects due to acerola cherry’s high vitamin C concentration. Acerola cherry may interact with some medications and medical conditions. Acerola extract may reduce the effectiveness of Warfarin and fluphenazine. Acerola cherry may increase estrogen levels in individuals taking oral contraceptives or receiving hormone therapy, as vitamin C enhances estrogen absorption. Individuals with gout should not take acerola cherry extract, as its vitamin C content can elevate uric acid levels and exacerbate the condition. References https://books.google.com/books?id=ZVSh_u7KxQIC https://web.archive.org/web/20060517003123/http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MAGL6/ https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNAAW619.pdf/ https://books.google.com/books?id=40n-Z_8ihZMC/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814610014019 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11130-011-0223-7 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814610001172 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5551541 https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/vitamin-C https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6604680 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6288604/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/914459 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/890328 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7355784 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8648230/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2303417 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7082619 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6098779/ https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/fruits/article/abs/acerola-importance-culture-conditions-production-and-biochemical-aspects/4E9E534EE4187063F7407FD9548DD90C https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1271/bbb.80421 https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0170438 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24796079/