Mother Nature has provided us many wonderful gifts. Some of these we have used and misused, and many we're not even aware of. The acerola berry is one such marvelous gift whose true value is coming out into the open only in recent times. This berry offers all the benefits that berries provide but a look at all the scientific research that has been conducted proves that these are no ordinary berries.

Normally, we find the acerola berry in North and South America - more the latter than the previous because of the tropical landscape where it flourishes with ease. It is also seen in Caribbean islands and many growers have benn able to grow the acerola tree in Florida also.

Dark and deliciously red, this berry is also known as the Barbados cherry, Cereso and Antilles cherry among other names. It has a sweet and sour taste, a lot like citrus fruits. But what is astounding is that it has 32 times as much Vitamin C as orange juice, so it is more powerful than your regular citrus fruits like limes and grapefruit.

The acerola berry can be eaten fresh but you can also add it to syrups, smoothies, jams and jellies. There's no end to the various ways in which this berry can be included to your diet and in case you are an inventive baker or cook, you will find many ways to include it into your family's food.

How it helps
* Because it is so full of vitamin C, the acerola berry is very helpful in making sure that your immune system becomes strong. So, naturally it helps keep away colds and flu. Since our body cannot produce or store vitamin C and bioflavonoids, fruits such as the acerola berry help in restocking those levels, and together they improve blood circulation and help the body fight against illnesses.

* The vitamin C in acerola has yet another important use. It helps the body in forming collagen which is the foundation for connective tissue and skin. Naturally, it also helps in healing wounds.

* As the acerola berry is chockfull of vitamin C, it can protect the body from free radicals which are the main causes of conditions such as cancer and heart condition.

* If you're diabetic, then the acerola berry is very good for you as it can reduce the blood sugar to reasonable levels. Acerola berries contain polyphenols which help greatly in reducing blood sugar.

* Acerola berries can help fight cancers such as those of the stomach , lung, colon and others as well. This is because of the high level of antioxidants that they have which help in fighting free radicals.

* One more interesting use of the acerola berry is strengthening teeth and bones. Acerola berries have several vitamins which help greatly in protecting and rebuilding teeth and bones. This is especially helpful if you're suffering from brittle bones and chipped teeth.

* Many skin products that are being produced to cure conditions such as melasma has acerola berry extracts in them. The acerola berries are ideal for curing skin discoloration also because the high content of vitamin C in them reduces the production of melanin which makes the skin dark.

* You can sustain acidity levels in your body with the help of acerola berries and this also helps the process of digestion.

* When mixed with soya, the acerola berries can even help in lowering cholesterol.

* Since these berries are low on sugar, they make an excellent snack which even helps you lose weight.

Acerola berries are every health conscious person's dream come true. These berries make you feel good and look good also. While most people prefer to consume them fresh, it's perfectly fine to get the frozen version as well. Apart from using the berries as fillings for pies, tarts and cookies, you can steep them in hot water and drink the resultant tea type of preparation.

In case you can't find acerola berries in your city, then it's not a bad idea to try and grow them as well. Acerola berries can grow in your backyard, provided you live in a warm climate. Typically found in countries such as Puerto Rico, Texas, Mexico and the Caribbean, this berry has made a large comeback in recent times.

Great to know: Acerola berries are one of the most essential nutrients that inhibit stress drastically. These berries fight aging, boost levels of vitamin C in the body and make you look and feel younger.