A Cherryfic Ingredient: Acerola
If you’re anything like us, you like to know what’s in your food. If you find yourself scanning labels and ingredients for questionable items you haven’t heard of, can’t pronounce or know you don’t want to eat…we get it. We are believers in clean labels and clean, organic, sustainable food.
We love when you reach out and DM us, comment, question and ask away. Your feedback makes the juice worth the squeeze knowing you’re just as invested in your health and wellness as we are. So, what’s the most burning question we get? It’s all about Acerola! It’s pronounceable, it’s organic, but… you might not have heard of it.
So… what IS acerola?
It’s a cherry! Sort of. It looks like a cherry but is actually a berry. Many will refer to this fruit as “acerola cherry.” You’ll find these berries growing on shrubs in warm tropical climates in the Western Hemisphere.
What made you add acerola to your juices?
We cherry-picked acerola for its many health benefits. One that stands out in particular is the champion antioxidant: Vitamin C! Acerola is one of the most abundant natural sources of ascorbic acid – aka Vitamin C. Research shows this fruit contains 50-100 times more Vitamin C than citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. According to Healthline, it’s often used to boost immunity and to help combat cold and flu symptoms.
What else is so special about acerola?
Acerola also contains many antioxidants and functional phytochemicals like carotenoids phenolics, anthocyanins, and flavonoids. One study shares that that in addition to being loaded with ascorbic acid, the phytochemicals found in acerola promote the body’s ability to absorb and transport Vitamin C compared to synthetic sources of the vitamin.
Why have I never seen these in the store?
Acerola cherries don’t have a very long shelf life. Once picked, they tend to spoil within just a couple days. You’ll more likely find acerola in stores as a powder, juice or jam instead.
I thought there was Vitamin C in orange juice? Why do you have both orange and acerola in your juices?
Great question! One eight-ounce glass of Uncle Matt’s Organic orange juice contains 100% of your Recommended Daily Allowance of Vitamin C. However, for our beverages where we’re looking to punch up the Vitamin C content for extra immune support, we added the now not-so-secret ingredient – acerola!
Which of your juices contain acerola?
Now that you’re in on our “Vitamin C-cret,” be on the lookout for acerola across many of our juices:
- Ultimate Immune: 52oz and 12oz bottles, and juice shots!
- Ultimate Defense: 52oz and 12oz bottles, and juice shots, too!
- Superfruit Punch: 52oz bottles and juice boxes!
- No Sugar Added Lemonade Juice Boxes
- No Sugar Added Strawberry Lemonade Juice Boxes
