Health Benefits of Maqui Berries

By Irina Bright.

This article is part of our Health & Foods section

maqui berry Maqui berries.

Maqui berry tree (Aristotelia chilensis) is found in the South American countries of Chile and Argentina.

While it has always been well known to local populations as a source of great nutrition, purple-in-colour maqui berry (also known as Chilean wineberry) is relatively new to international consumers.

Maqui powder is now available from many online retailers. The powder is normally made of freeze-dried berries.

Maqui berries are also gaining more recognition around the world thanks to the earlier popularization of their better known Brazilian "cousins" - acai berries.

Maqui berries get their purple colour from a high content of anthocyanins which are flavonoids that are believed to offer many healing properties. Such health benefits may include prevention and control of: (Ref. 1 and 2)

  • cancer,
  • degenerative and neurological diseases,
  • general inflammation within the body,
  • bacterial infections.

Anthocyanins are, of course, powerful antioxidants.

So we are specifically interested in the high contents of all antioxidants present in the maqui powder. Antioxidants fight free radicals and help us keep our bodies free of toxins - and therefore, free of any potential chronic illness.


Written by:     Irina Bright
Original publication date:     2013
Republication date:     2020


References.

1. Zafra-Stone S, Yasmin T, Bagchi M, Chatterjee A, Vinson JA, Bagchi D (2007). Berry anthocyanins as novel antioxidants in human health and disease prevention. Published in Molecular nutrition & food research. Retrieved June 5, 2013 from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17533652

2. Sa-Hyun Kim, Min Park, Hyunjun Woo, Nagendran Tharmalingam, Gyusang Lee, Ki-Jong Rhee, Yong Bin Eom, Sang Ik Han, Woo Duck Seo, and Jong Bae Kim (2012). Inhibitory Effects of Anthocyanins on Secretion of Helicobacter pylori CagA and VacA Toxins. Published in International Journal of Medical Sciences. Retrieved June 5, 2013 from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3498748/