Acerola: The properties and other natural immune boosters

Acerola, Zinc and Moringa are a highly concentrated immunostimulant with vitamin C (fresh acerola: on average 1,680 mg per 100 g, USDA FoodData Central), and zinc, a mineral fundamental to the biochemical processes in our body.

Let's discover the extraordinary properties of these nutrients and many others to strengthen the immune system.

Table of contents

• Immune system, how does it work?
• The properties of acerola as a natural immune stimulant
• Natural immune stimulants: Moringa Oleifera, the plant of superlatives
• The micronutrients: vitamins C, D and zinc
• Zinc: A vital trace element for the body
• Carotenoids: Further support of the immune system
• Polyphenols: A Large Family of Benefactors
• The immune-stimulating effects of acerola, moringa and zinc

Immune system, how does it work?

Composed of a complex of specialized cells and organs designed to defend against infections in the body, we can consider the immune system as a kind of national guard, a special body that serves to protect our organism from external attacks; for this reason it is necessary that it is always 'fit'.

The external attacks mainly come from viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa that circulate freely in the air and easily penetrate our body.

Via antigens, surface molecules that cover them, these substances are recognized by the immune system as foreign and are therefore released for attack.

The cells of the immune system are produced in the bone marrow, which is located primarily in the wide and flat bones of the pelvis.

The immune response: From phagocytes to lymph nodes

The phagocytes are the most important cells that circulate in our blood; They are special white blood cells that protect us from external attackers (hence the term 'phagocytose'), while the lymphocytes initiate targeted defense reactions against specific pathogens by changing the antibodies.

These include B lymphocytes (which originate in the bone marrow and produce antibodies) and T lymphocytes (which are responsible for destroying altered cells and originate in the thymus, an organ in the chest).

The antibodies produced by B lymphocytes in the bone marrow have the crucial task of recognizing a specific antigen, binding to it and neutralizing it.

The immune system essentially consists of white blood cells and antibodies, which provide the most convincing immune response and protect the body from unwanted attacks.

The immune system also includes the spleen (the largest lymphatic organ), lymph nodes, and lymphatic vessels that carry lymph (a clear fluid containing white blood cells) in the blood.

Both the lymph nodes and the spleen are, so to speak, collecting points for the lymph flow and counteract external pathogens (one of the reasons why the lymph nodes swell, for example).

How to strengthen the immune system

Our body's immune system has a system whose job it is to protect us from viruses and other external pathogens.

Although it usually works well, it can happen that the immune system is weakened by stress, unbalanced or poor diet, lack of physical activity and irregular sleeping habits.

To strengthen the immune system, in addition to eating a diet rich in vitamins and minerals, you should also change your lifestyle, exercise, eat a balanced diet, avoid stress and get enough sleep (7-8 hours of regular sleep).

Foods that improve the immune system include citrus fruits rich in vitamin C and fresh seasonal fruits.

"An efficient immune system is therefore quite capable of protecting the body from attacks." (immunoncologia.org)

The properties of acerola as a natural immune stimulant

Acerola, scientifically known as Malpighia emarginata, grows spontaneously in Central and South America and is a fruit particularly rich in vitamin C, but also vitamins B6, B1 and A, flavonoids and minerals (iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium ) contains.

Vitamin C in particular is present in larger quantities than any other nutrient. Considering that an orange can provide around 500 to 4,000 ppm (parts per million) of vitamin C, acerola in its natural form contains up to 172,000 ppm.

Its fruit is known as West Indian cherry; its interior resembles a citrus fruit with segments, and the high vitamin C content gives it a sour taste.

A study published in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis showed that acerola is an excellent source of carotenoids and polyphenols and has exceptional antioxidant capacity.

In fact, it has been found that the antioxidant capacity obtained from acerola juice is higher than the values ​​reported from other fruit juices with a high content of polyphenols such as strawberry, grape and apple juices, among others.

Among these, phenolic acids are the main contributors to antioxidant activity."

Studies on acerola: many phytonutrients for the well-being of the body

Another study titled 'Acerola, an untapped functional superfruit: A review of recent developments' has shown that, in addition to being one of the richest natural sources of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), acerola also contains 'an abundance of phytonutrients such as phenolic carotenoids, contains anthocyanins and flavonoids.

In particular, the study focuses on the "overwhelming amount" of ascorbic acid: "In the range of 1500-4500 mg/100g."

Acerola, high antioxidant capacity

Since it has a reserve of phytonutrients, the fruit shows high antioxidant capacity and various interesting biofunctional properties such as skin lightening effects, anti-aging reversal and multi-resistance."

"Acerola is also particularly rich in anthocyanins, as another study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry points out:

'The identification and quantification of anthocyanin pigments in four tropical fruits was carried out using HPLC-MS/MS. The fruits examined included acerola (Malphigia emarginata), jussara (Euterpe edulis), jambolão (Syzygium cumini) and guajiru (Chrysobalanus icaco).

These results indicate that these tropical fruits are rich in anthocyanins and that anthocyanins are largely integrated into the anthocyanidins, glycosylation and acylation.

Natural immune stimulants: Moringa Oleifera, the plant of superlatives

To date, moringa remains the most nutrient-dense plant ever discovered.

Just remember that the leaves contain 46 powerful antioxidants, 36 anti-inflammatory agents including quercetin and caffeic acid, 30% plant proteins and all eight essential amino acids.

Moringa Oleifera is a plant valued for centuries for its numerous properties. It is completely edible and is described in Thorsten Weiss' book 'Moringa, the Superfood of the Gods' as the plant of superlatives, due to the many benefits attributed to it, including by science.

In fact, there are now many studies on the properties of this plant, which originally comes from East India and is now also grown naturally and organically in Europe.

✔ Discover all the properties of Moringa Oleifera.

Moringa and the immune system

As various research shows, the relationship between moringa and the immune system also appears to be strong, mainly due to the richness of vitamins and minerals in this plant, which has been called the 'miracle plant'.

The large amount of nutrients in Moringa, such as proteins, vitamins A, B and C as well as minerals, provides excellent stimulation of the immune system.

Moringa is also considered to have a role in restructuring the gut microbiome (the set of microorganisms that coexist with us) and is recognized as a potential food source for the development of new functional foods with immune-boosting abilities."

Another study highlights the richness of nutrients in moringa, such as vitamins A, B, C, D, E, K and vital minerals such as calcium, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese and zinc, as well as more than 40 natural antioxidants

Qualities that attribute to Moringa oleifera an active role in the body's anti-inflammatory mechanisms, in enriching anemic blood and supporting the immune system.

It is now considered one of the most useful trees in the world precisely because of its wide range of beneficial properties."

The effect of micronutrients on the immune system

A recent scientific study* on the relationship between micronutrients and the immune system highlights the importance of micronutrients in strengthening the immune system.

It also states that 'available evidence suggests that supplementation with several micronutrients that play a role in supporting the immune system can modulate immune function and reduce the risk of infection.

The micronutrients: vitamins C, D and zinc

Micronutrients with the strongest evidence for supporting the immune system are vitamins C and D and zinc.

Better design of human clinical trials addressing dosage and combinations of micronutrients in different populations is needed to demonstrate the benefits of micronutrient supplementation against infections."

The optimal supply of these nutrients in combination is therefore an effective ally in fighting infections and restoring the normal activity of immune components.

The EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) also considers vitamins C, D, A, folic acid, B6, B12 and the minerals zinc, iron, copper and selenium to be essential for the proper functioning of the immune system.

The effects of vitamin C on the immune system

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that does not occur naturally in the human body but is necessary to strengthen the immune system's defense mechanisms. It is water soluble and the body tends to excrete it through bodily fluids.

Its important functions include participation in metabolic reactions and inhibition of carcinogenic substances.

The daily need for vitamin C

The daily requirement of vitamin C, as indicated by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, is 60 mg per day (70 during pregnancy).*

Zinc: A vital trace element for the body

Zinc is a vital element for humans and is of great importance for human health. It is called a macroelement because it is found in small amounts in the human body compared to other elements such as potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur or phosphorus.

Zinc is involved in the formation of many enzymes and proteins and plays a role in the process of amino acid synthesis, which is essential for growth and tissue repair as well as sexual development.

✔ Zinc, in which foods is it present? Find out here.

The human body absorbs only 20-30% of the amount of zinc found in food, and the recommended daily requirement is 15 mg, while in breastfeeding women it can increase up to 19 mg per day.

Zinc and immune system

Some studies from Ohio University have shown that lack of zinc in mice and later in vitro on human cells significantly increased levels of inflammation of the NF-κB protein, which is a key factor in the immune response. For this reason, zinc is believed to act as an immune modulator:

"The NF-κB protein delivers zinc to the cells of the immune system, which are the first to respond to infections."

Adequate zinc intake would therefore help strengthen the immune system.

Carotenoids: Further support of the immune system

Characterized by intense red, yellow or orange colors, carotenoids are plant pigments with photoprotective and antioxidant functions that are absorbed in the intestines.

Their main purpose is to protect the body from excessive light and the best known are lutein, beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, lycopene, gamma-carotene and zeaxanthin.

The benefits that carotenoids provide include their vitamin activity as a precursor to vitamin A (retinol) and the ability to neutralize free radicals and strengthen the immune system.

Where are carotenoids contained?

Carotenoids are found in many plant foods such as carrots, pumpkins, melons, apricots, watermelons, peppers, tomatoes and green leafy vegetables such as spinach, parsley and cabbage.

The daily requirement is 6 g per day. Carotenoid deficiency may increase the risk of chronic inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and tumors of epithelial tissue (gastrointestinal tract, skin, lung, cervix).*

Polyphenols: A Large Family of Benefactors

They are a broad group of natural organic substances that includes flavonoids, lignins, melanins, tannins and anthraquinones.

Produced by plants, fungi, bacteria and animals, polyphenols are primarily considered to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions, including the ability to protect cells from oxidative stress, antiparasitic, cytotoxic and antipruritic abilities, and cholesterol control."

Quercetin, a special flavonoid

Quercetin is a naturally occurring molecule belonging to the flavonoid family and is currently the subject of various scientific research that attests to its role as a pharmacological remedy to combat the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, responsible for COVID-1.

This is what emerges from an international study in which the CNR Nanotechnology Institute participated, published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules*. The study reads:

"Computer simulations have shown that quercetin binds exactly in the active site of the 3CLpro protein, preventing it from functioning properly.

At this point, this molecule is on par with the best antivirals available against the coronavirus, none of which are approved as drugs, however.

Quercetin has a number of original and interesting pharmacological properties: it is abundant in common vegetables like capers, red onions, and radicchio and is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and anti-proliferative properties.

Its pharmacokinetic properties are also known, and it is well tolerated by humans."*

✔ Read the press release on the CNR website.

The immune-stimulating effects of acerola, moringa and zinc

The properties of Moringa, with its exceptional load of vital nutrients to strengthen the immune system, combined with the exceptional properties of Acerola and Zinc, make it a highly nutrient-dense dietary supplement that provides the body with a daily source of vitality. Made in Italy and 100% natural.

Acerola is a subtropical fruit, harvested while still green, from which we extract a high concentration of vitamin C, which promotes the absorption of zinc. A powerful immune stimulator that supports the proper functioning of the thymus gland to better protect you against colds and seasonal illnesses.

References:

• *https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf0715020
• *https://pubs.acs.org/journal/jafcau
• *https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/1/236
• *https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/3844
• *https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Syed-Asdaq/publication/49621872_Immunomodulatory_activity_of_methanolic_leaf_extract_of_Moringa_oleifera_in_animals/links/00b7d519b072c17028000000/Immunomodulatory-activity-of-methanolic-leaf-extract-of-Moringa-ole ifera-in-animals.pdf
• *https://www.cnr.it/it/comunicato-stampa/9620/la-molecola-di-origine-naturale-che-inibisce-sars-cov-2
• *https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinco#Importanza_biologica
• *https://www.epicentro.iss.it/vitamins/
• *https://www.paginemediche.it/medicina-e-prevenzione/prevenzione-e-terapie/sistema-immunitario
• *http://www.nbst.it/771-come-rafforzare-sistema-immunitario-contro-coronavirus-vitamin-zinco-ferro-rame-selenio.html
• *https://www.gavazzeni.it/enciclopedia-medica/sali-minerali/zinco/
• *http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.193.7882&rep=rep1&type=pdf
• *https://www.humanitas.it/enciclopedia/integratori-alimentari/polifenoli/
• *https://www.humanitas.it/enciclopedia/integratori-alimentari/carotenoidi/