Our superfood of the week is Maqui berry. Maqui berry is an exotic, vibrant purple fruit that grows wild in Chile. It’s mainly harvested by the native Mapuche Indians of Chile, who have used the leaves, stems and berries medicinally for thousands of years.
Due to substances in the berries, such as anthocyanins, flavonoids, and ellagic acid that have potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects, maqui berry has been deemed a superfruit. According to Healthline, they are reportedly packed with up to three times more antioxidants than blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and raspberries.
Maqui berry offers numerous health benefits, including improved inflammation associated with diabetes, blood sugar control, anti-aging effects and improved gut and eye health. It’s also known to be a remedy for rheumatoid arthritis2 and high cholesterol.
Maqui berries have long been consumed locally as a fresh fruit or in juice form. It’s now found in supplement form (as capsules and liquid extracts) and as a freeze-dried powder made from the whole fruit. Hence you can use maqui berry in juice form mixed into beverages or as powder added to smoothies, desserts, or cereal.
Have you tried our superfood of the week, maqui berry? Have you realized any health benefits as a result?
