What are the real benefits of Acerola powder?

THE oxidative stress is the result of an unbalanced diet, overexposure to environmental pollutants and continuous stress. The latter is responsible for the formation of excess free radicals. To overcome this phenomenon, it is important to have a better lifestyle. Furthermore, acerola can be supplemented as part of a balanced diet. Indeed, thanks to its composition of flavonoids, carotenoids, phenolic compounds and in particular vitamin C, the latter has very important antioxidant properties. In this way, these elements contribute in their own way to limiting the multiplication free radicals and protect the body's cells against oxidative stress. Therefore, acerola can help protect the body against premature aging of cells, but also, certain age-related illnesses.

Advice from the dietician-nutritionist:

• Consume 1g/j of acerola powder, or ½ teaspoon of powder, which corresponds to 175mg of vitamin C. 

• Don't hesitate to eat seasonal fruits and vegetables which can provide the antioxidant vitamins you need.

The iron of plant origin, that is to say coming from legumes, cereal products or oilseeds, is assimilable between 1 to 15%, and that of animal origin is assimilable up to 40%. In both cases, its absorption is not entirely optimal. However, there are several solutions to improve the absorption of the latter, notably acerola. Indeed, this superfood is full of nutrients, and in particular vitamin C which is strongly involved in the assimilation of iron. Enriching your daily diet with acerola would therefore be very effective in allowing better iron absorption., especially for flexitarians, vegetarians or vegans. Also affected are people subject to an iron deficiency or deficit, particularly menstruating, pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Furthermore, there are several foods that can reduce iron absorption. It is therefore recommended not to consume coffee, tea, milk and alcohol while taking acerola.

Advice from the dietician-nutritionist:

• Consume 1g/d of pacerola powder, or ½ teaspoon of powder, which corresponds to 175 mg of vitamin C. 

• Do not hesitate to add iron of animal origin to your dishes: eggs, red or white meat, liver and seafood, or iron of plant origin: spirulina, legumes (white beans, lentils, beans and chickpeas). ) and oilseeds.

• Avoid consuming coffee, tea or alcohol during your meals so as not to prevent the absorption of iron provided by your food.

Fatigue can have several etiologies, but most often it is one of the symptoms of a vitamin C deficiency. The latter is widespread for contributing to normal energy metabolism, which therefore helps reduce fatigue. In the same way, acerola can contribute considerably to reducing states of fatigue given its high vitamin C content. Acerola is also indicated in the case of convalescence after a cold or flu. Furthermore, before significant physical exertion or an exam, it is recommended to bring acerola in order to prevent symptoms of severe fatigue which can take place.

Furthermore, iron deficiency anemia or an iron deficiency or deficit may be responsible for the appearance of fatigue which, in certain cases, is accompanied by exhaustion or even the feeling of being out of breath. You should know that iron plays a main role in transporting oxygen to cells. However, when the ferritin level is low (< 30 µg/L of blood), the supply of oxygen to certain vital organs, notably the lungs, is too low. To overcome this phenomenon, acerola, being very rich in vitamin C, can help improve the absorption of iron provided by food and therefore, ensure the storage of ferritin in the body in order to reduce fatigue.

Advice from the dietician-nutritionist:

• Consume 1g/j of acerola powder, or ½ teaspoon of powder, which corresponds to 175mg of vitamin C. 

• In the case of a cold, flu or severe fatigue, gradually increase the dose up to 2g/day.

• Include iron from animal and/or plant sources in your diet to reduce daily fatigue.

Vitamin C is widely used to maintain the proper functioning of the immune system. Its role is to stimulate the production of small proteins called cytokines which are responsible for communication between cells of the immune system. Thus, they activate the immune response when the body needs to defend itself against a foreign substance. Adding acerola to your diet will help strengthen your immune system. thanks to its high vitamin C content, but also to the flavonoids and carotenoids which will contribute on their scale to this effect.

Advice from the dietician-nutritionist:

• Consume 1g/d of acerola powder, or ½ teaspoon of powder, which corresponds to 175 mg of vitamin C.

• Do not hesitate to eat seasonal fruits and vegetables which can provide the vitamins and minerals necessary for the normal functioning of the immune system (vitamin A, B, C, D, iron, zinc, selenium, magnesium and copper, etc.).

Acerola has an indirect effect on theimproved sleep. Indeed, thanks to the vitamin C contained in it, the latter will allow better assimilation of iron which, moreover, will be involved in the synthesis of serotonin. The latter is subsequently transformed, after nightfall, into melatonin, commonly called: the sleep hormone. This hormone is essential to make it easier to fall asleep and to regulate the sleep cycle.

In addition, the sleep phase is very important so that the liver can do its detoxification role. Acerola, being very rich in antioxidants, will be able to provide additional help to the liver in order to promote better sleep during the night. 

Advice from the dietician-nutritionist:

• Consume 1g/day of acerola powder, either ½ teaspoon of powder, which corresponds to 175 mg of vitamin C.

• Bring foods rich in tryptophan (fish, milk and cheese, poultry, eggs, legumes, banana, cocoa, peanuts, nuts, almonds, etc.) at the end of the evening to stimulate the secretion of serotonin and then melatonin, the sleep hormone. .

• Avoid consuming acerola in the evening in case of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) because the fruit is particularly acidic and can cause acid reflux which can disrupt falling asleep or encourage nighttime awakenings.

Acerola can be a support for the growth of hair, and this, thanks to the action of vitamin C. Since it will increase the assimilation of iron, the latter will intervene in the oxygenation of the body's cells, in particular those responsible for hair reproduction . In addition, vitamin C contributes to the production of collagen. The latter is essential for the health of the hair, but also in the synthesis of keratin, a protein which is part of the composition of nails and hair. Collagen will therefore improve the action of certain hair cells to obtain shinier hair. Acerola can also help preserve the health of the scalp by protecting it from the consequences of oxidative stress. Being rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, the latter can neutralize the free radicals involved in cell aging. Thus, acerola is recommended as part of a balanced and varied diet. It is essential to ensure that you are not deficient in iron or vitamin B8, have good hydration, get enough sleep and do regular physical activity in order to avoid stress factors or those implicated in hair loss. . 

Advice from the dietician-nutritionist:

• Consume 1g/d of acerola powder, or ½ teaspoon of powder, which corresponds to 175 mg of vitamin C.

• Make sure to bring foods rich in iron and vitamin B8 in order to have healthy hair.

• Avoid stressors that can lead to massive hair loss.

You should know that a healthy lifestyle and adequate hydration will have an influence on the quality of skin. Including acerola in your diet will help produce collagen, involved in the elasticity of the skin, thanks to the action of vitamin C. In addition, acerola being rich in other antioxidants, the latter will help neutralize the free radicals responsible for aging of the skin. skin. This will therefore allow to limit brown spots, wrinkles and sagging skin due to aging.

How to use it ?

• Orally : consume 1g/d of acerola powder, or ½ teaspoon of powder, which corresponds to 175 mg of vitamin C.

• Cutaneously: incorporate acerola into your shower gels or moisturizers. It is also possible to make homemade masks using acerola.

• Vitamin C has often been the subject of several questions. The latter is considered by some people to be “energizing, which can disrupt sleep during the night.” Gold, vitamin C is not an exciting element like caffeine, theophylline or theobromine which, on the contrary, will prevent you from falling asleep if consumed in the evening. Also, vitamin C cannot be considered energizing because it does not provide any calories. Energy is obtained from macronutrients: carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. The latter are also not responsible for disrupting the sleep cycle. These preconceived ideas have led us to believe that acerola, being very rich in vitamin C, could not be consumed in the evening. However, the latter will in no way be responsible for a disruption of the sleep cycle.
  

• Additionally, it is often stated that acerola powder is rich in fiber. In accordance with the claim that a food is rich in fiber, the latter can only be made if the product contains at least 6 g of fiber per 100 g. Regarding acerola powder, in fact, per 100g, it contains 12g of fiber. However, the accepted daily dose is 1 g/day. We cannot therefore consider in this case that acerola powder is rich in fiber, or that it could have a laxative effect at the recommended dose per day., contrary to popular belief.

It is important to be careful when consuming acerola given its richness in Vitamin C. It is advisable not to exceed the recommendations for consumption of acerola powder in order to avoid the side effects overdose which may manifest as diarrhea, gas or flatulence.

For certain pathologies, it would be necessary to seek the advice of your doctor before starting a treatment, particularly in the case of:

Hemochromatosis (when the ferritin level is greater than 300mg/L in the blood) : LThe vitamin C contained in acerola will promote the assimilation of iron provided by food. Furthermore, the latter can have an effect contrary to that expected: that of releasing excess free radicals which will be responsible for premature aging of the body. Furthermore, in more serious cases, it can cause a risk of severe heart failure when vitamin C intake exceeds 500 mg/day.

Renal pathology: Acerola is contraindicated in people with a history of oxalic kidney stones. A high intake of vitamin C could promote the production of oxalates. These will subsequently attach to minerals to form crystals, called kidney stones, in the same way as for people with acute or chronic kidney failure.

Allergy or hypersensitivity: The consumption of acerola is strongly discouraged in people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome since it contains fructose. The same way for people with an allergy to LTP (lipid transfer protein), the latter are the phytoallergens certain fruits and vegetables (walnuts, peaches, hazelnuts, etc.) recently discovered in acerola. It would also be important to read the ingredients or composition of certain food products since acerola is often used in red fruit jams, candies, juices or liqueurs.