Maqui berry (Aristotelia chilensis) is an exotic, dark-purple fruit that grows wild in South America1.
Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause cell damage, inflammation and disease over time 2.
One way to prevent these effects is by eating antioxidant, such as maqui berry. Antioxidants work by stabilizing free radicals, thus helping prevent cell damage and its adverse effects.
Studies suggest that diets high in antioxidants may reduce your risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and arthritis 3.
Maqui berries are reportedly packed with up to three times more antioxidants than blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and raspberries. In particular, they’re rich in a group of antioxidants called anthocyanins 4, 5 , 6.
Anthocyanins give the fruit its deep purple color and may be responsible for many of its purported health benefits 7, 8.
In a four-week clinical study, people who took 162 mg of a maqui berry extract three times daily had significantly reduced blood measures of free radical damage, compared to the control group 9.
Research suggests that maqui berries have the potential to combat conditions associated with inflammation, including heart disease, arthritis, type 2 diabetes and certain lung conditions.
In multiple test-tube studies, compounds in maqui berry have demonstrated powerful anti-inflammatory effects 10, 11.
Similarly, test-tube studies involving the concentrated maqui berry supplement Delphinol suggest that maqui may reduce inflammation in blood vessels — making it a potential ally in preventing heart disease 6.
Additionally, in a two-week clinical study, smokers who took 2 grams of maqui berry extract twice daily had significant decreases in measures of lung inflammation 10.
Maqui berry is rich in anthocyanins, potent antioxidants that have been linked to a heart health.
The Nurses’ Health Study in 93,600 young and middle-aged women found that diets highest in anthocyanins were associated with a 32% reduced risk of heart attacks, compared to those lowest in these antioxidants 12.
In another large study, diets high in anthocyanins were associated with a 12% reduced risk of high blood pressure13.
Though more definitive research is needed, maqui berry extract may also help reduce heart disease risk by lowering blood levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol.
Test-tube studies have demonstrated that compounds found in maqui berry may positively affect the way your body breaks down and uses carbs for energy 15.
In a three-month clinical study in people with prediabetes, 180 mg of maqui berry extract once daily reduced average blood sugar levels by 5% 14.
Though this 5% decrease seems small, it was enough to bring participants’ blood sugar down to normal levels 14.
While more research is needed, these benefits may be due to maqui’s high anthocyanin content.
In a large population study, diets high in these compounds were associated with a significantly reduced risk of type 2 diabetes16.
Every day, your eyes are exposed to many sources of light, including the sun, fluorescent lights, computer monitors, phones and televisions.
Excessive light exposure can cause damage to your eyes 17.
However, antioxidants — such as those found in maqui berry — can offer protection against light-induced damage 17, 18).
A test-tube study found that maqui berry extract prevented light-induced damage in eye cells, suggesting that the fruit may be beneficial eye health19.
However, maqui berry extracts are much more concentrated in beneficial antioxidants than the fruit itself. More research is needed to determine if eating the fruit has similar effects.
Your intestines house trillions of bacteria, viruses and fungi — collectively known as your gut microbiomes.
Though this may sound alarming, a diverse gut microbiome can positively influence your immune system, brain, heart and — of course — your gut 20.
However, issues can arise when bad bacteria outweigh beneficial ones.
Interestingly, studies suggest that plant compounds in maqui and other berries may help reshape your gut microbiota, increasing the number of good bacteria 21, 22.
These beneficial bacteria metabolize the plant compounds, using them to grow and multiply 21.
