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Maqui berry, also known as Chilean wineberry, is a dark purple fruit that grows wild in South America. Indigenous people in Chile have used the berries, leaves, and stems of the plant for medicinal healing for thousands of years, according to Healthline.
Today, maqui berry is considered a superfruit due to its high antioxidant content and health benefits. While fresh berries are hard to come by, you can purchase juices, powders made from freeze-dried berries, and supplements from your local health food store. The powder can be used in fruit smoothies, oatmeal, and in a myriad of recipes.
Packed Full of Antioxidants
Maqui berry is packed full of antioxidants, including vitamins, minerals, and the anthocyanins which give the fruit its rich purple color. These antioxidants help stabilize free radicals that cause cell oxidation. Eating foods rich in antioxidants could reduce your risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, arthritis and some cancers. Maqui berries contain up to three times the antioxidants of blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries. The antioxidants in the maqui berry act as anti-inflammatories.
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Promotes Heart Health
The anthocyanins that help you with inflammation also aid in reducing your risk of cardiovascular diseases, according to Verywell Fit. This is because the antioxidants help to reduce blood pressure levels and improve LDL – bad cholesterol – levels. In fact, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that a diet rich in anthocyanins reduced the risk of high blood pressure by 12 percent.
Good for Gut Health
Consuming maqui berry is also good for your gut. That’s due to the polyphenols contained in the superfruit that can increase healthy gut microbiota as well as lowering pathogenic or harmful bacteria, according to Verywell Fit. Eating a diet that incorporates phenolic compounds is good for your overall health.
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Helps Support Eye Health
When it comes to healthy eyes and vision, taking maqui berry supplements might be even better than crunching on carrots. That’s because the fruit can promote an anti-inflammatory response to keep your eyes healthy as well as encouraging moisture in your eyes, according to mindbodygreen. The antioxidants found in the superfruit can also offer protection against excessive light exposure.
May Aid Blood Sugar Control
Maqui berry is also very good for diabetics because it could help moderate blood sugar levels suggested Healthline. That’s because the berry affects the way your body breaks down carbs and that helps to decrease blood sugar levels. A study of the dietary flavonoid (antioxidant) intakes showed that people whose diet was rich in the compound had a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
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