Barbados Cherry Juice Recipe To Fight Cancer and Diabetes
Brief History
The Barbados cherry is one of a number of names by which the Malpighia emarginata is known. Most commonly called the acerola, this cherry-shaped fruit is also referred to as the wild crepe myrtle, Amazon cherry and the West Indian cherry. It is a member of the family Mapighiaceae, and genus Malpighia.
This sometimes sour, sometimes sweet fruit is believed to have originally come from the Yucatan in Mexico. It now grows wild throughout all subtropical areas in Africa, Asia, Hawaii, Florida, and Texas. The acerola grows on an evergreen shrub or small tree. When ripe the fruit is bright red and nearly apple-shaped.
Barbados cherries have such a high content of vitamin C that during the Second World War, Americans were urged to plant the bush in their Victory Gardens to promote health and wellness!
Latest Research
Studies show that due to chlorogenic acid in these berries, they may help control type II diabetes by assisting in lowering blood sugar levels. The high amount of anti-oxidants, especially vitamin C, may have anti-cancer benefits. In preliminary laboratory studies acerola was shown to slow the development of lung cancer. Further, it may boost red blood cells and thus assist in treating anemia.
Great Benefits
The acerola is not easy to find in markets because the fruit is highly perishable. But they are commonly found in most backyards across Florida, Texas and Hawaii. Similar in size and shape to the common cherry, they are bright red and have a large internal pit, but here the comparison ends, due to their amazing amount of vitamin C.
Fat free and extremely low in calories – one cup contains as few as 31 calories – the acerola has the highest value of vitamin C of any berry or fruit. Filled with antioxidants such as quercitin and kaempferol, the Barbados cherry also contains vitamin A, B-complex, E and K.
The acerola is very low in sodium and cholesterol, and a good resource of iron, calcium, protein, fiber, potassium, magnesium and copper. The acerola also contains high quantities of beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin.
See Also
Juice Cleansing For Better Health
10 Things to Consider Before Choosing a Juicer
Top 10 Juicing Tips
Ingredients
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 20 oz.
Preparation
Pitting cherries is easy with a cherry or olive pitter available cheaply on Amazon. Use the skin of the apple but discard the rind of the orange - it's edible but too bitter for my taste!
