Acerola Cherry

(Malpighia emarginata)

Assorted red and green acerola cherries in a white bowl on a white background

What It Is

Acerola cherry is a tropical fruit traditionally valued for its naturally high vitamin C content. In functional food contexts, acerola is often used as a standardised fruit extract, allowing for a consistent contribution of vitamin C while remaining grounded in a whole-food source.

A 25% vitamin C standardisation indicates that the vitamin C present is naturally derived from the fruit itself, rather than added as synthetic ascorbic acid.

Why It’s Used in Functional Foods

Acerola cherry is included in functional foods as a food-based source of vitamin C that supports antioxidant balance while aligning with whole-ingredient formulation principles.

Standardisation helps provide consistency, while the extract still retains the broader matrix of naturally occurring fruit compounds, including polyphenols and flavonoids that contribute to acerola’s nutritional character.

How It Supports the Body

Vitamin C from acerola cherry has been widely studied for its role in several foundational physiological processes. This includes supporting normal collagen synthesis, contributing to antioxidant protection against everyday oxidative stress, and supporting connective tissue integrity.

Because the vitamin C is delivered within a fruit-derived extract, it is accompanied by naturally occurring plant compounds that may support its function within the body as part of a broader nutritional context.

Skin Health Support

Vitamin C plays an important role in skin physiology. Research involving acerola cherry highlights its relevance in supporting collagen formation, maintaining skin firmness and elasticity, and contributing to a brighter, more even-looking complexion.

These effects are understood to occur through vitamin C’s involvement in collagen support and antioxidant activity within skin tissues, helping the skin respond to environmental stress over time.

Who It’s Commonly Chosen By

Acerola cherry is often chosen by people looking to support skin firmness, brightness, and overall vitality. It is commonly selected by those seeking antioxidant intake from food-based sources and gentle, internal support for collagen-related skin nourishment.

Important Context

Acerola cherry is used in functional foods as a natural, food-derived source of vitamin C. Its role is influenced by overall diet, formulation context, and individual nutritional status. Research helps describe how acerola-derived vitamin C supports normal skin and connective tissue processes, rather than predict specific outcomes.

This ingredient is shared for educational purposes, to support understanding of acerola cherry as part of a balanced, skin-supportive nutrition approach.

Research references

For those who wish to explore the research context further

Supplamize context

Acerola Cherry can be selected as an optional active in certain Supplamize blends, including: