Acerola is a fruit rich in vitamin C, a nutrient with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that fight free radicals, helping to prevent the emergence of situations such as premature aging, cancer and high blood pressure.
In addition, acerola contains fiber that increases digestion time, controlling hunger throughout the day, in addition to being low in calories, making it an interesting option to include in weight loss diets. Look other fruits with low calories to lose weight.
Acerola has a thin red rind, orange pulp and a slightly acidic flavor, and can be consumed raw or used in recipes such as juices, cakes, jellies and mousse. Acerola leaves can also be used to prepare teas.
The main benefits of consuming acerola for health are:
1. Prevents premature aging
Acerola helps prevent premature aging because it is rich in vitamin C, a vitamin that protects the skin against damage caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays, thus preventing the appearance of wrinkles and expression lines.
In addition, the vitamin C present in acerola also participates in the production of collagen, a protein that promotes softness and skin support, preventing sagging. meet other foods that prevent sagging
2. Facilitates weight loss
Because it contains fiber, acerola helps to prolong digestion time, reducing hunger and food consumption throughout the day, thus facilitating weight loss.
In addition, acerola is low in carbohydrates and calories, making it a great fruit option to include in weight loss diets. know how to diet to lose weight
3. Strengthens the immune system
Vitamin C, present in large amounts in acerola, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that strengthen the immune system, helping to prevent and fight infections such as flu, rhinitis, sinusitis and cold.
4. Prevents high blood pressure
Acerola has great amounts of vitamin C, a nutrient with antioxidant action that promotes increased levels of nitric oxide in the body, a substance that relaxes blood vessels, facilitating blood circulation and thus preventing high blood pressure.
5. Improves mood
Because it is rich in vitamin C, acerola improves mood, as this vitamin participates in the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that promotes the feeling of pleasure. Look a list of foods that increase dopamine
6. Helps fight anemia
Acerola helps in the fight against anemia because it is rich in vitamin C, an essential nutrient for the absorption of iron present in food, favoring the formation of hemoglobin, which is the component of red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood.
7. Prevents the appearance of cancer
Acerola contains flavonoids and carotenoidsbiochemical compounds with antioxidant properties that fight excess free radicals in the body, preventing the onset of cancer.
8. Prevents constipation
Because it contains fiber, acerola increases the volume of feces and stimulates natural bowel movements, helping to avoid constipation. Look a list of other fruits that contain fiber
9. Maintain eye health
Acerola has good amounts of carotenoids, compounds that participate in the formation of vitamin A, an important vitamin for maintaining eye health, preventing the appearance of xerophthalmiaa disease can cause dryness, difficulty seeing in dark environments, and blindness.
10. Decreases “bad” cholesterol, LDL
Because it has antioxidant properties, acerola protects fat cells against oxidation caused by free radicals, lowering levels of “bad” cholesterol, LDL, in the blood and preventing the onset of diseases such as atherosclerosis, stroke and heart attack.
The following table contains the nutritional information for 100 g, equivalent to 9 units, of acerola:
| Components | 100 g (9 units) of acerola |
|---|---|
| Energy | 33 calories |
| Proteins | 0.9g |
| fats | 0.2 g |
| carbohydrates | 8.0g |
| fibers | 1.5 g |
| Vitamin C | 941.4 mg |
| Calcium | 13.0 mg |
| Magnesium | 13 mg |
| Potassium | 165 mg |
| Carotenoids | 25 mcg |
It is important to remember that in order to obtain the benefits of acerola, it is essential to maintain a healthy and varied diet and practice physical exercises regularly.
Although there is no specific amount indicated for consumption of acerola, the daily recommendation for fruit is between 2 and 3 servings, which corresponds to between 160g and 240g per day.
Acerola can be eaten raw or used in recipes such as juices, cakes, jellies and mousse. In addition, acerola leaves can also be used to prepare teas.
Some healthy recipes with acerola are juice, tea and jelly:
1. Acerola juice
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of fresh acerolas;
- 1 liter of boiled or filtered water;
- Honey to taste.
Method of preparation:
Wash the acerolas well and place, along with the water in the blender. Beat well, sweeten with honey and serve immediately, preferably without straining.
2. Acerola tea
Ingredients:
- 10 acerola leaves;
- 1 liter of water.
Method of preparation:
Wash the acerola leaves well and cut in half. Boil water in a pan or kettle and turn off the heat. Add the acerola leaves to the water, cover the pan or kettle and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain and serve immediately.
3. Acerola jelly
Ingredients:
- 1 kg of fresh acerola;
- 2 cups of sweetener for oven and stove;
- 1 pack of colorless jello;
- 250 ml of water.
Method of preparation:
Wash the acerolas well. Put the water and the acerolas in the blender, beating well. Strain the juice and transfer to a pan. Add the sweetener and stir until dissolved. Cook this mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, until it forms a thick syrup.
Turn off the heat, dissolve the gelatin in 3 tablespoons of filtered or boiled water and add to the pan, stirring gently. Let the jelly cool and transfer to a pot with a lid, storing in the fridge.
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