Maqui berry benefits supplement
information and review of nutritional benefits
Aristotelia chilensis
February 16 2018 by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Maqui berry is purple colored and found in the Patagonia region of South America. Mapuche Indians consume maqui berries as food as as medicine and have done so for centuries. They report having more strength and stamina. Apparently they use this berry to treat health complaints such as skin inflammation, intestinal disorders, sore throats, and ulcers. Whether this plant is actually helpful for these conditions remains to be evaluated by Western scientists. As of 2016, I found very little published research in humans regarding supplementation.
Claims made and actual benefits
Maqui berries are promoted as having anti-inflammatory,
antioxidant, anti-aging,
anti-cancer, and natural COX-2 inhibiting activities. It Consumption may also
benefit blood sugar control. All edible berries have
some health benefit and whether maqui is superior to others remains to be
determined.
Overall review of benefits
Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 2016. Bioactive Compounds of Aristotelia chilensis and
their Pharmacological Effects. Recently, it has been discovered that the leaves
of the maqui berry have important antibacterial and antitumor activities.
Anthocyanins, other flavonoids, alkaloids, cinnamic acid derivatives, benzoic
acid derivatives, other bioactive molecules, and mineral elements are found in
the plant. A broad range of activities of plant extracts and fractions are
presented, including antioxidant activity, inhibition of visible light-induced
damage of photoreceptor cells, inhibition of α-glucosidase, inhibition of
pancreatic lipase, anti-diabetic effects, anti-inflammatory effects, analgesic
effects, anti-diabetes, effective prevention of atherosclerosis, promotion of
hair growth, anti-photo ageing of the skin, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation.
Q. I read an article in Life Extension magazine on maqui
berry and they mentioned many scientific researches on the benefits of maqui
berry. What do you think?
A. Thus far it looks promising but few human studies are available
ton confirm many of the benefits predicted from rodent and lab studies.
Antioxidant benefit
J Agric Food Chem. 2010. Antioxidant capacity and in vitro
inhibition of adipogenesis and inflammation by phenolic extracts of Vaccinium
floribundum and Aristotelia chilensis.
J Am Coll Nutr. 2015. A Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating the Efficacy of an Anthocyanin-Maqui Berry Extract (Delphinol ®) on Oxidative Stress Biomarkers. Berries are a rich source of anthocyanins, and clinical data suggest that a polyphenol-rich diet may exert health-promoting effects by reducing oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of dietary supplementation with Delphinol (trademark owned by MNL Chile) standardized maqui berry (Aristotelia chilensis) extract on products of lipid peroxidation in healthy, overweight, and smoker subjects. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled design, 42 participants (age 45-65 years) consumed in random order either a standardized extract of maqui berry (162 mg anthocyanins) or a matched placebo, given 3 times daily for 4 weeks. The samples were collected at baseline, after the end of the supplementation, and 40 days after the end of the study. Primary outcome was the measure of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) and F2-isoprostanes in plasma and urine, respectively. Secondary outcomes included anthropometric measures, blood pressure, and lipid profile. Delphinol supplementation was associated with reduced levels of Ox-LDL in the anthocyanin group compared to baseline. There was also a decrease in urinary F2-isoprostanes (8-iso-prostaglandin F2α) at 4 weeks versus baseline in the Delphinol-supplemented group. However, no differences in primary outcomes were evident at 40 days of follow-up. In the fourth week of the intervention, no significant differences were noted for anthropometric characteristics, ambulatory blood pressure, and lipid profile. Our observations suggest that dietary interventions with maqui berry extract may improve oxidative status (Ox-LDL and F2-isoprostanes) in healthy adults, overweight adults, and adult smokers.
Blood sugar and diabetes
Biomed Res Int. 2016. Delphinidin-Rich Maqui Berry Extract (Delphinol ®) Lowers
Fasting and Postprandial Glycemia and Insulinemia in Prediabetic Individuals
during Oral Glucose Tolerance Tests.
Lung health
Nutr J. 2015. The intake of maqui (Aristotelia chilensis) berry extract
normalizes H2O2 and IL-6 concentrations in exhaled breath condensate from
healthy smokers - an explorative study. Our results suggest that dietary
polyphenols might be considered as an interesting alternative for the dietary
management of respiratory disorders.
Nutritional content
Maqui berries contain a high concentration of
polyphenols and anthocyanins.
Some of the specific compounds include anthocyanins,
delphinidin, malvidin, petunidin, cumarins, triterpenes, flavonoids, and
cyanidin.
Anthocyanins
Maqui berries [Aristotelia chilensis] have several pigments corresponding to the
3-glucosides, 3,5-diglucosides, 3-sambubiosides of delphinidin and cyanidin. The principal
anthocyanin is delphinidin 3-sambubioside-5-glucoside (34% of total anthocyanins).
The average total anthocyanin content is 130 mg/100g of fresh fruit. The
relative high anthocyanin content and the important presence of polar
polyglycosylated derivatives makes the maqui fruits an interesting source of
anthocyanin extracts for food and pharmaceutical uses.
J Agric Food Chem. 2010. Polyphenols and antioxidant
activity of calafate ( Berberis microphylla ) fruits and other native berries
from Southern Chile.
Calafate ( Berberis microphylla ) is a native berry grown in the Patagonian area
of Chile and Argentina. In the present study the phenolic composition and
antioxidant activity of its fruits were studied and also compared with data
obtained for other berry fruits from southern Chile including maqui (
Aristotelia chilensis ) and murtilla ( Ugni molinae ). The anthocyanin content
in calafate berries (17.8 micromol g(-1)) and flavonol level (0.16 micromol
g(-1)) are comparable with those found in maqui; however, it shows lower flavan-3-ol concentration than
calafate (0.11 and 0.24 micromol g(-1), respectively). Maqui and calafate show
high antioxidant activity, which correlates highly with total polyphenol content
and with anthocyanin concentration.
About the shrub or tree
Maqui (Aristotelia chilensis) is an evergreen shrub or small tree that grows up
to 15 feet tall. It is native to the Patagonia region of Chile and Argentina.
When Maqui berries are mature, they have an attractive deep purple or black
color, usually growing to the size of large blueberries.
Emails
Q. I have been hearing that the ORAC value for Maqui berry powder is several
times that of Blueberries etc. One website says: Maqui -has the highest ORAC
value at approximately 27,600 ORAC units/100g. The Maqui berry’s ORAC values are
more than 3x greater than Pomegranate, 5x greater than Blueberry, and 100x
greater than redwine." An article in Wilkipedia states that the anthocyanin
content of Maqui berries is very low on the scale when compared to many others
including blueberry.....the quotaion is: Only limited polyphenol research has
been completed on the maqui berry showing its anthocyanin content to include
eight glucoside pigments of delphinidin and cyanidin, the principal anthocyanin
being delphinidin3-sambubioside-5-glucoside (34% of total anthocyanins). The
average total anthocyanin content was 138 mg per 100 g of fresh fruit (212 mg
per 100g of dry fruit), ranking maqui low among berries for anthocyanin content
Is this a contradiction, or am I missing something in the data?
A. I need to see several more studies to determine more accurately
the orac value of maqui. In the meantime it is better to have several types of
berries in one's diet rather than rely on one or two and to not focus too much
on such details.
Products and press releases
These are press releases we have received, the validity of these claims
remains to be determined:
Herbal Powers, 2010
The Mapuches Indian has historically
consumed maqui berry for a variety of ailments including strength and stamina,
blood sugar control, cancer, ulcer and fever. Mapuche warrior drank a fermented
beverage made fromit that contribute to their stamina and strength. Maqui Berry fruit has the highest ORAC-H value. In each 100g serving, 27,600 µmole Acai berry has ORAC value of 16,700
µmole, Pomegranate has ORAC value of 10,500 µmole, Blueberry has ORAC value of
6500 µmole. According to Brunswick Laboratories, maqui berry has one of the
highest spectrum of antioxidant protection against 5 of the most important free
radicals found in human. HPI's maqui berry raw materials has total ORAC over
5000 µmole per gram or 500,000 µmole per 100 gram when tested against all 5 free
radicals, making it the highest antioxidant superfruit in the world. Besides
high in ORAC value, maqui berry is also high in anthocyanins whose benefits include:
to
neutralize enzymes that destroy connective tissue, prevent oxidants from
damaging connective tissue, repair damaged proteins in the blood-vessel walls,
lightens allergic reactions, promote cardiovascular health, prevent oxidation of
low-density lipoproteins (LDL), anti-inflammatory, and may have anti-cancer
property. Forms we offer:- Maqui
berry 65 brix clarified filtered liquid concentrate (Organic)- 17 brix clarified
filtered single strength Juice (Organic)- 50 brix Cloudy juice concentrate
(Organic).
Brunswick Laboratories has unveiled a new Total ORAC test that measured against
5 of the most important free radicals found in human. Maqui berry has one of the
highest spectrums of antioxidant protection against hydroxyl, peroxyl,
peroxynitrite, singlet oxygen, and superoxide anion.
Among the tested anthocyanins (cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, pelargonidin,
peonidin and petunidin), delphinidin was the most potent angiogenic inhibitor.
Anthocyanins help neutralize enzymes that destroy connective tissue, lightens
allergic reactions, promote cardiovascular health, prevent oxidation of
low-density lipoproteins (LDL), anti-inflammatory, and may have anti-cancer
property. In addition, we also provide custom formulation and private labeling
services to the industry.” says Founder and President Annie Eng. About HP
Ingredients: HP Ingredients offers more than 200 Standardized Botanical
Extracts. When it comes to innovation, HP Ingredients believes in on going
research and development for our Proprietary Extracts. We work with scientists
from around the world to deliver valuable research. These innovations ensure our
customers’ competitiveness and future business growth.
Press
release by Novelle International
2008 - Novelle International has launched Maqui Superberry! Maqui
Superberry is a high antioxidant fruit known in the world today with an ORAC
value probably higher than the average acai, Goji Berry, Noni and Mangosteen products. Maqui Superberry
is packed with antioxidants called anthocyanins and contains a high ORAC value.
Maqui Superberry, whose ORAC value is certified by Brunswick Laboratories, is
power-packed with anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are produced by plants for
self-protection against sun, irradiation, diseases and biological enemies; maqui
thrives in the harsh climate of central and southern Chile, necessitating the
plant’s abundant anthocyanin production. The native Mapuche Indians of the
Patagonia region in South America have for centuries benefited from the unique
medicinal and healthy aging benefits of the maqui berry. Novelle International
Founder and CEO Annie Eng, spent months with the Mapuches researching and
working with them to harvest Maqui, then worked with researchers to confirm its
antioxidant content. After securing an exclusive distribution agreement in the
United States, Annie Eng initiated a socially responsible program that donates
supplies and services for the education and healthcare of the Mapuche Indians.
Novelle International is proud to give back to a culture that has generously
given its health treasure for the American public to enjoy vibrant health.
Maqui Berry fruit has high ORAC-H value. In each 100g serving, value of 27,000
µmole
Acai berry has ORAC-H value of 16,700 µmole
Pomegranate has ORAC-H value of 10,500 µmole
Blueberry has it 6500 µmole
NP Nutra, 2010, press release
This month we are pleased to announce we will be adding
a certified organic Maqui freeze-dried Powder, adding to its growing line of
high quality Superfruit ingredients. With sales growth of organic products now
outpacing conventionally grown foods, the health industry is seeing an
unprecedented demand for organically grown ingredients. Andrew Carter, NP
Nutra’s Quality Control Manager states, “Inquiries for developing and producing
more certified organic ingredients keep coming in from all parts of the food and
beverage industry, suggesting that organic products have finally become
mainstream. ”Maqui berries have astonishing levels of antioxidants, including
anthocyanins, delphinidin, malvidin, petunidin, cumarins, triterpenes,
flavonoids, and cyanidin. They are also a good source of vitamin C, calcium,
potassium, and iron. Maqui berries are traditionally used to promote strength,
endurance, and overall health. The antioxidants in Maqui berries aid normal
function of the body's cells, and may help maintain healthy levels of
cholesterol and triglycerides. Maqui (Aristotelia chilensis) is an evergreen
shrub or small tree that grows up to 15 feet tall and is native to the Patagonia
region of Chile and Argentina. When Maqui berries are mature, they are an
attractive deep purple or black color, usually growing to the size of large
blueberries. “We use the whole maqui berry to maximize the nutritional content
of our product while minimizing wastage,” explains Andrew Carter. NP Nutra
places a strong emphasis on producing a high quality product in the most
sustainable way. By using all three parts of the fruit: the Epicarp (the dark
purple/black skin), the Mesocarp (the pulpy meat of the fruit) and the Endocarp
(the seeds), the nutritional value of the product is maximized. Tests have shown
that the whole berry product has a higher ORAC rating than powder produced from
refined Maqui juice. The process of removing seeds results in loss of up to
30-40% of the fruit pulp and/or skin. Andrew Carter comments, “Not only do we
maximize ORAC ratings, we are able to produce an ingredient that is far less
wasteful and therefore highly sustainable.” NP Nutra manufactures over 100
botanical extracts and ingredients from the most exotic corners of the world. NP
Nutra has a complete line of organic and Superfruit ingredients in stock at its
Southern California warehouse. Contact NP Nutra for samples and more information
on its many organic products.
Where to purchase or buy this product
Buy
Maqui berry supplement
Paradise Herbs, Organics, buy Maqui Berry, 60 Veggie
Caps
Buy maqui berry 400 mg per capsule