Kakadu Plum
(Terminalia ferdinandiana)

What It Is
Kakadu plum is a native Australian fruit traditionally harvested in northern regions of Australia. It is naturally rich in vitamin C, alongside a diverse range of polyphenols and other antioxidant compounds that contribute to its long-standing use as a nourishing whole food.
Why It’s Used in Functional Foods
Kakadu plum is included in functional foods for its role in supporting antioxidant balance and skin structure. Vitamin C plays an important part in collagen formation, while the polyphenols present in Kakadu plum contribute to the body’s ability to manage everyday oxidative stress.
Together, these compounds support the skin’s resilience and its capacity to respond to environmental influences over time.
How It Supports the Body
Research has explored Kakadu plum in relation to several foundational skin-supportive processes. This includes its role as a source of vitamin C for collagen synthesis, as well as its contribution to antioxidant defence and cellular protection.
Kakadu plum has also been studied for how its compounds support normal skin renewal and repair processes, helping provide context for its inclusion in skin-focused nutritional formulations.
Rather than acting on the skin directly, Kakadu plum contributes nutrients that support the internal systems involved in maintaining skin structure and vitality.
Skin Support & Radiance
Kakadu plum is often associated with skin-supportive nutrition due to its combination of vitamin C and plant polyphenols.
Research suggests these compounds may help support collagen integrity, skin firmness, and an even-looking complexion, while also contributing to protection against oxidative stress linked to premature skin ageing. These effects are understood to occur through antioxidant activity and the role of vitamin C in maintaining healthy skin structure.
Who It’s Commonly Chosen By
Kakadu plum is often chosen by people looking to support skin radiance, collagen-related nourishment, and overall skin vitality. It is commonly selected by those seeking whole-food sources of antioxidants, particularly in the context of environmental or lifestyle-related stress.
Important Context
Kakadu plum is used in functional foods as a whole-food source of vitamin C and polyphenols. Its role is influenced by overall diet, consistency of intake, and individual nutritional status. Research helps describe how Kakadu plum’s compounds interact within biological systems, rather than predict specific outcomes.
This ingredient is shared for educational purposes, to support understanding of Kakadu plum as part of a balanced, skin-supportive nutrition approach.
Research references
For those who wish to explore the research context further
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Journal of Food Composition and Analysis (2023): Vitamin C stability and antioxidant properties of Kakadu plum
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/87559129.2023.2172428 - MDPI, Molecules (2023): Phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of Terminalia ferdinandiana
https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/28/6/2828
Supplamize context
Kakadu Plum can be selected as an optional active in certain Supplamize blends, including: