Acerola
Scientific names: Malpighia emarginata, Malpighia glabra, Malpighia punicifolia, Malpighia punicifolia, Malpighia retusa
Family: Malpighiaceae
Alternate names: Acérola, Acerola Cherry, Antilles Cherry, Barbados Cherry, Barbadoskirsche, Cereja das Antilhas, Cereja do Para, Cerejeira das Antilhas, Cereso, Cereza, Cerise de Cayenne, Cerise de la Barbade, Cerise des Antilles, Cerisier, Cerisier de Barbade, Cerisier des Antilles, Chereese, Grosella, Puerto Rican Cherry, Semeruco, West Indian Cherry, West Indies Cherry, Westindische Kirsche
Actions: Antioxidant
Background
Acerola (Malpighia emarginata) is a shrub or small tree. Its fruit is similar to a cherry and is a red color when ripe. It is a rich source of vitamin C.
Acerola also contains many minerals and other vitamins, including beta-carotene, lutein, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, folic acid, and pantothenic acid. It's native to Central America, northern South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Acerola is commonly used to prevent vitamin C deficiency. It is also used for the common cold, diarrhea, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.
Acerola also contains many minerals and other vitamins, including beta-carotene, lutein, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, folic acid, and pantothenic acid. It's native to Central America, northern South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Acerola is commonly used to prevent vitamin C deficiency. It is also used for the common cold, diarrhea, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Acerola fruit is possibly safe for most adults. The fruit contains a large amount of vitamin C. It should be taken in amounts that provide no more than 2000 mg of vitamin C daily. Higher doses can increase the risk of side effects such as severe diarrhea.
Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis): In large doses, acerola might increase the chance of getting kidney stones. This is due to the vitamin C in acerola.
Latex allergy: People with latex allergy might also have an allergic reaction to acerola.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if acerola is safe to use in medicinal amounts when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use in amounts greater than those found in food.Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis): In large doses, acerola might increase the chance of getting kidney stones. This is due to the vitamin C in acerola.
Latex allergy: People with latex allergy might also have an allergic reaction to acerola.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
- Vitamin C deficiency. Acerola is a rich source of vitamin C. Taking acerola by mouth might help prevent or treat vitamin C deficiency.
Dosing & administration
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of acerola might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Aluminum
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Acerola contains vitamin C, which can increase how much aluminum the body absorbs. If you have kidney problems and take aluminum-containing medicines (also called "phosphate binders") regularly, avoid using acerola, especially in high doses.
Aspirin
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Acerola contains vitamin C. Vitamin C might decrease how much aspirin is removed in the urine. But this probably isn't a big concern.
Estrogens
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Acerola contains a large amount of vitamin C. Vitamin C might decrease how quickly the body gets rid of estrogen. Taking acerola along with estrogens might increase the effects and side effects of estrogens.
Medications for cancer (Alkylating agents)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Acerola contains vitamin C, which is an antioxidant. There is some concern that antioxidants might decrease the effects of some medications used for cancer. If you are taking medications for cancer, check with your healthcare provider before taking acerola.
Medications for cancer (Antitumor antibiotics)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Acerola contains vitamin C, which is an antioxidant. There is some concern that antioxidants might decrease the effects of medications used for cancer. If you are taking medications for cancer, check with your healthcare provider before taking acerola.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Acerola contains vitamin C. Large amounts of vitamin C might decrease the effects of warfarin. Decreasing the effects of warfarin might increase the risk of clotting. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin might need to be changed.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Iron: Due to its vitamin C content, acerola might increase the amount of iron the body absorbs from foods and supplements.
Rose hip: Rose hip and acerola both contain high levels of vitamin C. Don't take both together. This might increase the risk of side effects from vitamin C. Adults should not take more than 2000 mg of vitamin C daily.
Vitamin C: Due to the vitamin C content in acerola, using acerola along with vitamin C supplements might increase the risk of side effects from vitamin C. Adults should not take more than 2000 mg of vitamin C daily.
Rose hip: Rose hip and acerola both contain high levels of vitamin C. Don't take both together. This might increase the risk of side effects from vitamin C. Adults should not take more than 2000 mg of vitamin C daily.
Vitamin C: Due to the vitamin C content in acerola, using acerola along with vitamin C supplements might increase the risk of side effects from vitamin C. Adults should not take more than 2000 mg of vitamin C daily.
Interactions with foods
Acerola might increase how much iron the body absorbs from foods.
Products
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Per 30 g (Cacao):
- Malpighia glabra (Acerola) equiv. vitamin C 50 mg
- Pea protein isolate 25.2 g
- Dunaliella salina equiv. beta-carotene 390 µg
- Aloe barbadensis 1 g
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate 2.5 mg
- Natural chocolate flavour
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Thaumatin
- Luo Han Guo (fruit) ext. (Monk fruit)
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Per tablet (Watermelon):
- Malpighia glabra (Acerola) ext. 24.31 mg equiv. vitamin C 8.75 mg
- Beta-carotene carotenoids (Vitamin A) 600 μg
- Mecobalamin (Vitamin B12) 0.4 μg
- Cholecalciferol 1.25 μg equiv. vitamin D3 50 IU
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate 1.85 mg equiv. vitamin E 2.24 IU
- Zinc citrate 2.93 mg equiv. zinc 1 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 190 μg equiv. thiamine 150 μg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 190 μg equiv. riboflavin 150 μg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 2 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 1.09 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 1 mg equiv. calcium 90 μg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P5P) 220 μg equiv. pyridoxine 150 μg
- Calcium folinate (Activated folate) 32.5 μg equiv. folinic acid 30 μg
- Menaquinone 7 (Vitamin K2) 8.75 μg
- Choline bitartrate 60.78 mg equiv. choline 25 mg
- Chromic chloride hexahydrate 19 μg equiv. chromium 3.75 μg
- Ferric pyrophosphate 8.94 mg equiv. iron 2.5 mg
- Magnesium amino acid chelate 162.5 mg equiv. magnesium 32.5 mg
- Potassium iodide (Iodine) 29.4 μg equiv. iodine 22.5 μg equiv. potassium 6.9 μg
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Per tablet:
- Malpighia glabra (Acerola) ext. 12.5 mg
- Total Vitamin C 1000 mg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 385 mg
- Calcium ascorbate dihydrate (Vitamin C) 382.2 mg equiv. ascorbic acid 315 mg
- Sodium ascorbate (Vitamin C) 337.5 mg equiv. ascorbic acid 300 mg
- Citrus bioflavonoids extract 25 mg
- Rutin (Rutoside) 50 mg
- Citrus bioflavonoids extract 50 mg
- Rosa canina ext. 62.5 mg
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Per tablet:
- Malpighia glabra (Acerola) ext. 12.5 mg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 385 mg
- Calcium ascorbate dihydrate (Vitamin C) 382.2 mg equiv. ascorbic acid 315 mg
- Sodium ascorbate (Vitamin C) 337.5 mg equiv. ascorbic acid 300 mg
- Citrus bioflavonoids extract 25 mg
- Rutin (Rutoside) 50 mg
- Citrus bioflavonoids extract 50 mg
- Rosa canina ext. 62.5 mg
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Per tablet (Strawberry Vanilla):
- Malpighia glabra (Acerola) ext. 7.5 mg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 60 mg
- Zinc gluconate 13.9 mg equiv. zinc 2 mg
- Echinacea purpurea ext. 4.45 mg
- Citrus bioflavonoids extract 10 mg
- Cholecalciferol 6.25 µg equiv. vitamin D3 250 IU
- Beta-carotene carotenoids (Vitamin A) 1 mg
- Calcium ascorbate dihydrate (Vitamin C) 48.7 mg equiv. ascorbic acid 40 mg
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Per 10 g:
- Malpighia glabra (Acerola) ext. 267 mg
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) 1 g
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa powder 333 mg
- Wheatgrass powder 333 mg
- Inulin (Dietary fibre) 800 mg
- Lactobacillus acidophilus 5 billion CFU
- Bifidobacterium bifidum 3 billion CFU
- Bifidobacterium lactis 5 billion CFU
- Bifidobacterium longum 1 billion CFU
- Cynara scolymus powder 500 mg
- Hordeum vulgare 200 mg
- Malus (Apple) 200 mg
- Brassica oleracea var. acephala (leaf & sprout) powder (Kale) 100 mg
- Ananas comosus (Pineapple) 240 mg
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach) 67 mg
- Beta glucan 50 mg
- Resveratrol 10 mg
- Ananas comosus (Pineapple oil) 65 mg
- Linum usitatissimum (seed) (Flaxseed) 400 mg
- Oryza sativa (Rice bran) 500 mg
- Pea protein isolate 1 g
- R-alpha lipoic acid 67 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 400 µg
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) 5.3 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 567 µg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 434 µg
- Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) 1.7 mg
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 0.8 µg
- Ergocalciferol (Vitamin D) 3.8 µg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 333 mg
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate 100 mg
- Ubidecarenone (Coenzyme Q10) 8 mg
- Copper gluconate 225 µg
- Potassium phosphate dibasic 104 mg
- Folic acid 67 µg
- Biotin 10 µg
- Silica - colloidal anhydrous 14 mg
- Magnesium citrate 42 mg
- Zinc amino acid chelate 10 mg
- Chromium picolinate 10 µg
- Calcium citrate 132 mg
- Manganese amino acid chelate 1.4 mg
- Selenomethionine 30 µg
- Beta-carotene carotenoids (Vitamin A) 1.7 mg
- Citrus bioflavonoids extract 500 mg
- Citric acid anhydrous 150 mg
- Rosmarinus officinalis powder 68 mg
- Taraxacum officinale ext. 33 mg
- Vaccinium myrtillus powder 200 mg
- Glycyrrhiza glabra powder 67 mg
- Crataegus monogyna ext. 29 mg
- Astragalus membranaceus ext. 67 mg
- Vitis vinifera ext. 67 mg
- Camellia sinensis ext. 67 mg
- Ganoderma lucidum powder 21 mg
- Lentinula edodes powder 21 mg
- Aloe barbadensis ext. 500 mg
- Zingiber officinale powder 67 mg
- Eleutherococcus senticosus ext. 1 g
- Centella asiatica ext. 67 mg
- Withania somnifera ext. 67 mg
- Silybum marianum ext. 67 mg
- Arctium lappa ext. 21 mg
- Rosa canina powder 168 mg
- Lycium barbarum 33 mg
- Beta vulgaris (root) powder (Beetroot) 167 mg
- Daucus carota powder (Carrot) 83 mg
- Carica papaya (Papain) 250 mg
- Lecithin 725 mg
- Laminaria digitara (Kelp) 8 mg
- Natural vanilla flavour
- Natural pineapple flavour
- Thaumatin
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Luo Han Guo (fruit) ext. (Monk fruit)
- Xanthan gum
- Brassica oleracea var. italica powder 150 mg
- Theobroma cacao powder 100 mg
120 g
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Per 8 g:
- Malpighia glabra (Acerola) powder 120 mg
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) 1.68 g
- Wheatgrass powder 1.12 g
- Medicago sativa powder 160 mg
- Hordeum vulgare powder 160 mg
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa powder
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach) 80 mg
- Brassica oleracea var. acephala (leaf) powder (Kale) 80 mg
- Brassica oleracea var. italica (sprout) powder
- Inulin (Dietary fibre)
- Pea (fibre) sprouted
- Lepidium meyenii (root) powder
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae (boulardii) (SB) 200 mg
- Tremella fuciformis powder 200 mg
- Pouteria lucuma (fruit) powder
- Oryza sativa (Brown rice protein)
- Lentinula edodes powder 160 mg
- Quinoa (sprout) powder
- Grifola frondosa powder 80 mg
- Schisandra chinensis powder 80 mg
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Beta vulgaris (root) powder (Beetroot)
- Daucus carota juice dry
- Davidson plum powder
- Backhousia citriodora (leaf) powder
- Kakadu plum powder 80 mg
- Banana resistant starch powder
- Tasmannia lanceolata powder
- Citrus australasica
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Per 10 g (Berry):
- Malpighia glabra (Acerola)
- Schisandra chinensis
- Berberis vulgaris
- Cynara scolymus
- Silybum marianum
- Passionfruit
- Citrus limon (Lemon)
- Piper nigrum
- Zingiber officinale
- Camellia sinensis
- Beta vulgaris
- Ribes nigrum
- L-glutamine
- L-glycine
- L-methionine
- Zinc gluconate
- Taurine
- Choline bitartrate
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)
- Folic acid
- Selenomethionine
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)
- Apple pectin
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
- Natural flavours
- Rosmarinus officinalis
- Echinacea angustifolia
- Curcuma longa
- L-cysteine
- Oryza sativa (Rice hulls)
- Silicon dioxide
- Punica granatum
- Vaccinium corymbosum (fruit) powder
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Per 7 g:
- Malpighia glabra (Acerola) (fruit) powder
- Brassica oleracea var. acephala (leaf) powder (Kale)
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa powder
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina)
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Bifidobacterium bifidum
- Bifidobacterium lactis
- Inulin (Dietary fibre)
- Acacia sp. (gum)
- Fagopyrum esculentum (leaf)
- Fragaria ananassa (Strawberry)
- Ananas comosus (Pineapple)
- Malus (Apple)
- Citrullus lanatus (Watermelon)
- Siraitia grosvenorii (Monk fruit)
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach)
- Daucus carota powder (Carrot)
- Lycium barbarum (fruit)
- Brassica oleracea var. italica (sprout) powder
- Curcuma longa (rhizome)
- Medicago sativa
- Punica granatum
- Rubus idaeus
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Fructooligosaccharides
- Pyrus communis (Pear)
- Lentinula edodes
- Urtica dioica
- Mentha x piperita
- Laminaria digitara (Kelp)
- Green banana starch
- Oryza sativa (Rice fibre)
- Xanthan gum
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Brewer’s yeast)
- Rhodophyta (Red seaweed)
- Berry flavour
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Per capsule:
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Per 5 g:
- Malpighia glabra (Acerola) (fruit) powder
- Inulin (Dietary fibre)
- Marine collagen peptides 250 mg
- Lepidium meyenii (root) powder
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LR-32)
- Bifidobacterium longum (BL-05)
- Zinc
- Cannabis sativa powder 520 mg
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) 370 mg
- Linum usitatissimum (seed) flour (Flaxseed) 250 mg
- Wheatgrass powder
- Sunflower lecithin
- Citrus limon (juice) (Lemon)
- Ananas comosus (Pineapple)
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Euterpe oleracea (berry) ext. (Acai)
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa powder
- Lycopersicon esculentum (Tomato)
- Apple pectin
- Beta vulgaris (root) powder (Beetroot)
- Citric acid anhydrous
- Citrullus lanatus (Watermelon)
- Fragaria ananassa (juice) powder (Strawberry)
- Garcinia mangostana (fruit) powder
- Punica granatum juice dry
- Carica papaya (fruit) powder
- Vaccinium macrocarpon (fruit) powder
- Natural vanilla flavour
- Lycium barbarum (fruit)
- Aristotelia chilensis (Maqui berry)
- Silybum marianum powder
- Astragalus membranaceus (root) powder
- Equisetum arvense (herb) powder
- Laminaria digitara (Kelp)
- Silica - colloidal anhydrous
- Daucus carota powder (Carrot)
- Camellia sinensis powder
- Withania somnifera (root) powder
- Eleutherococcus senticosus (root) powder
- Echinacea purpurea (root) powder
- Melissa officinalis powder
- Taraxacum officinale (leaf) powder
- Zingiber officinale (root) powder
- Rosa canina powder
- Vaccinium myrtillus (fruit) powder
- Ulmus rubra (bark) powder
- Mushroom powder
- Kakadu plum powder
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5)
- Panax ginseng powder
- Curcuma longa (root) powder
- Backhousia citriodora (leaf)
- Thaumatin
- Ananas comosus (Bromelain)
- Protease
- Phyllanthus emblica (fruit) powder
- Morindae officinalis (fruit) powder
- Marine algae
- Medicago sativa 200 mg
- Sambucus nigra (fruit)
- Vaccinium corymbosum (fruit) powder
- Hordeum vulgare powder 200 mg
- Salvia hispanica (seed) powder
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Per 4 g:
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Per 5 g:
- Malpighia glabra (Acerola) (berry) juice dry
- Myrciaria dubia (fruit) powder (Camu Camu)
- Rosa canina
- Kakadu plum powder
- Hippophae rhamnoides (berry) juice dry
- Actinidia deliciosa (fruit) powder (Kiwi fruit (green))
- Adansonia digitata (Baobab)
- Vitis vinifera (fruit) juice dry
- Curcuma longa
- Zingiber officinale
- Orange
- Artichoke inulin
- Stevia rebaubiana (leaf) powder ext. equiv. dry
- Pea (fibre) sprouted
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Per 9 g:
- Malpighia glabra (Acerola)
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa powder
- Brassica oleracea var. acephala (leaf) powder (Kale)
- Inulin (Dietary fibre)
- Medicago sativa
- Brassica oleracea var. italica (Broccoli)
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach)
- Green banana
- Bacillus coagulans (GBI-30)
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina)
- Laminaria digitara (Kelp)
- Euterpe oleracea (berry) ext. (Acai)
- Vaccinium corymbosum
- Beta vulgaris
- Punica granatum juice dry
- Lycium chinese
- Golden pea protein (sprout) bio-fermented
- Apple pectin
- Rubus idaeus (berry)
- Fragaria ananassa (Strawberry)
- Hippophae rhamnoides
- Lycopersicon esculentum
- Arctic sea algae
- Sea salt
- Sunflower seed extract
- Ananas comosus (Pineapple)
- Citrus limon (Lemon)
- Linum usitatissimum (seed) (Flaxseed)
- Malus (Apple)
- Lepidium meyenii
- Natural flavours
- Silybum marianum
- Equisetum arvense
- Centella asiatica
- Glycyrrhiza glabra (root)
- Althaea officinalis (root)
- Melissa officinalis
- Taraxacum officinale (leaf)
- Zingiber officinale (root)
- Withania somnifera
- Aloe barbadensis (leaf)
- Panax ginseng
- Pumpkin powder
- Sweet potato powder
- Sunflower seed
- Vaccinium macrocarpon
- Grifola frondosa (mushroom)
- Lentinula edodes (mushroom)
- Myrciaria dubia (fruit) powder (Camu Camu)
- Protease
- Amylase enzyme
- Lipase
- Cellulase
- Lactase
- Mesquite (pod) powder
- Thaumatin
- Prunus salicina (Queen Garnet plum)
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa powder
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
