Acerola
Also known as: Malpighia emarginata, Malpighia glabra, Barbados cherry, West Indian cherry, acerola cherry extract
Effective Dosage
No established dose from provided studies
What the Science Says
Acerola is a tropical cherry fruit exceptionally high in vitamin C and antioxidant compounds. A small clinical study in elite athletes found that 300 g/day of acerola pulp for 3 weeks reduced certain inflammatory markers and improved metabolic indicators like blood glucose and liver enzymes, though it did not measurably reduce oxidative stress markers. Research also suggests that vitamin C from acerola juice may be absorbed more efficiently and excreted more slowly than synthetic ascorbic acid, possibly due to naturally occurring bioflavonoids in the fruit.
What It Doesn't Do
Not proven to boost athletic performance on its own. No solid evidence it reduces oxidative stress in athletes. Skin benefits seen in studies used multi-ingredient blends — acerola alone gets no credit for those results. Not a proven immune booster based on current data. Don't confuse high vitamin C content with unique therapeutic effects beyond what vitamin C itself provides.
Evidence-Based Benefits
Acerola is primarily valued as a natural source of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and one small study (PMID: 22040889) found that ascorbic acid from acerola juice may be absorbed more favorably and excreted less rapidly than synthetic ascorbic acid alone, suggesting potential bioavailability advantages. A small clinical study in 22 elite athletes (PMID: 41269386) found that 300 g/day of acerola pulp for 3 weeks reduced some inflammatory markers, serum glucose, urea, and liver enzymes (ALT/AST), though oxidative stress parameters were unchanged. Acerola extract has also been included in multi-ingredient skin supplement formulas that showed improvements in skin hydration, elasticity, and photoaging markers, but its individual contribution cannot be isolated from these combination products (PMIDs: 34791771, 32017646, 31627309).
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No established dose from provided studies; 300 g/day pulp used in one athlete study (PMID: 41269386)
Source: auto-research
Absorption & Bioavailability
Moderate to Good — one small study found acerola juice vitamin C had higher plasma absorption and lower urinary excretion compared to synthetic ascorbic acid, suggesting the fruit matrix may enhance uptake. However, this was a single small study in young Japanese males.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Most human studies are very small (22 athletes in the key clinical trial) — results may not generalize
- Many supplement products use acerola in multi-ingredient blends, making it impossible to isolate its specific effects
- Acerola pulp products may be adulterated — one 2025 study found widespread fraud in commercial acerola pulps, detectable only with advanced lab techniques
- Long-term safety data is limited; a 180-day rodent toxicity study exists but human long-term safety data is lacking
- Immune-suppressing effects (decreased immunoglobulin levels) were observed in the athlete study — implications for general consumers are unknown
Products Containing Acerola
See how Acerola is used in these analyzed products:
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-04-06