These little purple berries are great for your cardiovascular system, immune function, skin rejuvenation and cellular health. Did you know that maqui berries have one of the highest antioxidant scores of any fruit known to man? They are one of the more recently discovered “superfoods” and have caused quite the buzz in health industries around the globe.
Referred to as “the ultimate superfruit” the maqui berry has stunned scientists and berry growers with an antioxidant score of around 95,000 u mol TE/100g – even higher than the acai berry from Brazil, and many times stronger than the blueberry!
How do they work?
You probably know that antioxidants help keep your skin and immune system in peak condition… but how does this happen?
Free radicals are unstable atoms that can damage cells, causing illness and aging through a process called oxidation. To become more stable they steal electrons from healthy protein, DNA and cell membranes. Although free radicals are produced naturally in the body, lifestyle factors can increase their production. These include exposure to toxic chemicals (air pollution, pesticides), smoking, alcohol and fried food.
Antioxidants are compounds that donate their electrons to free radicals balancing their unstable cellular structure… preventing them from causing harm to our bodies!
Key Benefits
Antioxidant-rich maqui berries can provide health benefits such as cellular protection, cardiovascular health, detoxification, rejuvenation of skin and improved immune function.
History
Traditionally, maqui berries have been used by the indigenous Chilean Mapuche Indians to promote strength, endurance and overall health. The Mapuche Indian tribe was the only tribe in America who were not conquered by invading colonists. Legend has it that Mapuche warriors consumed a fermented beverage made from maqui berries three times a day, which may have contributed to their amazing strength and endurance qualities.
There is more than one reason why these berries have been one of the Mapuches’ customary foods and medicine for centuries. They claimed they could cure a range of ailments including fever, ulcers, hemorrhoids, diarrhoea, inflammation, scars, kidney pain, sore throats and migraines.
These claims were never scientifically proven - until now. A heightened interest in superfoods over the past decade led scientists to look more closely at traditional foods that are held in high regard by native tribes. The results of the Mapuche’s maqui berry have been astonishing.
Its powerful disease-fighting compounds (anthocyanins) and other natural bio-actives found in the berry – are being studied for their ability to support the body’s natural defences against disease. The evidence is stacking up to show that these potent bio-actives may support cardiovascular, lung, immune and musculoskeletal function. Whether these antioxidants play out the same way in human clinical studies is yet to be determined, but the fantastic results in lab studies show much promise for this superfood.
Usage
The deep purple berry has a delightful, slightly tart berry flavour - similar to blueberry, blackberry and acai… Even the leaves and bark of the 3 - 5m shrub-like maqui tree have anti-viral medicinal qualities and are being studied for possible use in the pharmaceutical industry!
Matakana SuperFoods organic Maqui Berry powder is freeze-dried to ensure the flavour, antioxidant and vitamin properties are retained even when shipped around the world.
It’s available as an easy to take high-grade organic freeze-dried powder (just add to smoothies/cereal and drinks) and in a convenient capsule form.
She's definitely the queen of hearts and antioxidants!
Try out our Raw Maqui Berry Chocolates recipe >> here.
Try out some of our wonderful maqui berry recipes > here!