6 Key Health Benefits of Maqui Berry

Written and scientifically reviewed by: Alexandra Sotari, MS Nutrition Science

The maqui berry, an ancient fruit native to South America, is an antioxidant powerhouse said to have four times the amount of antioxidants compared to other popular berries like raspberry or açaí. Because of its uniquely high antioxidant content, this tiny berry can have a big impact on your health.

From anti-aging to eye health, here are 6 reasons to incorporate maqui into your daily ritual.

Try the benefits for yourself. Maqui is one of the foundational ingredients in Rasāsvāda’s Ruby Artemisia, a functional and restorative spirit made from 100% plants.

Botanical Overview

Botanical name: Aristotelia chilensis
Family: Elaeocarpaceae family
Common name: Maqui, Chilean wineberry
Location: Forests in Peru and Argentina, Patagonia region

What Is the Maqui Berry?

Maqui_berry_health_benefits antioxidant, longevity, gut health

The maqui tree (Aristotelia chilensis) grows wild in the Patagonia region of Chile and Argentina.

Its rich purple berries are juicy, seeded, and full of antioxidants, but maqui (also called Chilean wineberries) is not just prized for its flavor. It has a rich medicinal and cultural history and is considered a sacred fruit by the indigenous people of Chile (the Mapuche people).

An Ancient Superfood: the History of Maqui

For centuries, the Mapuche population (the indigenous people of Chile) have used maqui berries for their medicinal properties, using them for everything from energy and vitality to healing wounds and treating fevers. Traditionally, the Mapuche people ferment the berries into a drink called chicha, which is said to give you long lasting energy. It’s likely that even the Mapuche warriors, known for their fierceness and resilience, ate maqui berries to support vitality.

Today, modern science is catching on to ancient wisdom as scientists are beginning to study the broad uses and health benefits of the maqui berry.

At Rasāsvāda, the maqui berries in our Ruby Artemisia, with respect to ancient tradition, are hand-foraged and sourced from wild maqui trees, ensuring their potency and purity. The result is bright, tart, slightly sweet, antioxidant-rich and restorative.

The Health Benefits of Maqui Berry

1. An antioxidant powerhouse

You may be familiar with the term antioxidants–compounds found in plants that help balance inflammation. Diets rich in a variety of antioxidants can help you stay healthy. However, not all antioxidants and antioxidant sources are created equal.

Some plant sources are more potent than others, and different antioxidants have different health benefits.

This is what makes the maqui berry uniquely powerful. It is both high in total antioxidants and in beneficial types of antioxidants like polyphenols and flavonoids. When compared to other fruits like apples, pears, peaches, and plums, the maqui berry showed significantly higher antioxidant activity.

2. Longevity & anti-aging

The antioxidants in maqui berry may help slow the progression of aging by protecting your body’s cells from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is the damage that cells go through as a result of a buildup of free radicals (natural compounds found in the body). This cell damage may lead to diseases like heart disease and diabetes, or other signs of aging, such as wrinkles.

The remarkably high antioxidant content in maqui may help combat this free radical damage to support longevity.

3. Skin health

Antioxidants (like vitamin C) are popular ingredients in skin care products, and there is a specific antioxidant that researchers think may help keep skin healthy and youthful—delphinidins. And maqui is packed with them. Delphinins, when applied topically, may help play a protective role against damage caused by UV rays.

Including antioxidants in your diet can have anti-aging benefits, too. Diets rich in antioxidants are associated with lower disease risk.

4. Promotes gut health

Maqui berries are high in a specific type of antioxidant called anthocyanins. Anthocyanins have been thought to promote gut health in a few different ways.

When it comes to your gut, there are “good bacteria” and “bad bacteria.” Ultimately, the goal is to have a healthy balance.

Anthocyanins may help support these good bacteria, which can lead to better digestion. They may also help keep your intestinal lining healthy. This is important for metabolism, blood sugar balance, digestion, and even mood.

5. Supports cognitive health

There are several factors that contribute to cognitive decline as we age. Stress, diet, sleep, and exercise are just a few of the lifestyle considerations that can either have a positive or negative effect on our mental acuity.

Exposure to environmental pollutants like ozone (tiny particles that are inhaled deep into the lungs and can lead to damage over time) can also contribute to cognitive decline in older people.

We can’t always avoid exposure to ozone, but foods rich in antioxidants, like maqui berries, can help play a protective role, according to research.

6. Dry eye relief and eye health

Most of us spend the day looking at a computer, and all this time spent on screens is likely to blame for dry eye symptoms and eye fatigue.

One small study found that maqui berry may help increase tear production, suggesting that maqui may promote eye health and relief for dry eyes.

MaquiBright®, a patented extract made from maqui berry, was also shown to ease symptoms of dry eyes by improving tear production, according to a small study.

Maqui Berry in Rasāsvāda’s Ruby Artemisia

We selected maqui as a key ingredient in Ruby Artemisia because of its powerful health promoting qualities. Maqui’s antioxidant-rich berries compliment the bitter notes in Artemisia and blend effortlessly with other botanicals like adaptogenic schisandra, and nootropic green tea to create a complex and functional spirit—designed to support vitality, beauty, and metabolic balance from the inside out. Enjoy it by itself, with sparkling water, or in a cocktail.

Ready to experience the benefits of maqui berry in your daily ritual? Explore Ruby Artemisia and discover why this berry is redefining what it means to drink for your health.

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Key Takeaways

A diet rich in antioxidants like those found in maqui berries can help support overall health and longevity. Maqui berries are particularly high in beneficial antioxidants and may have numerous health benefits like protecting against cognitive decline, supporting eye health and tear production, promoting a healthy gut and healthy aging.

FAQs

Sources

PubMed︱Effects of Anthocyanin on Intestinal Health: A Systematic Review

Foods ︱ A Review of the Functional Characteristics and Applications of Aristotelia chilensis (Maqui Berry), in the Food Industry

Indian Journal of Ophthalmology ︱Effect of Maqui-berry extract in dry eye disease – A clinical and molecular analysis

Journal of Agricultural Food and Chemistry ︱First Web-Based Database on Total Phenolics and Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) of Fruits Produced and Consumed within the South Andes Region of South America

BBC︱The untapped power of Patagonian berries

Phytomedicine ︱ A literature review of the studies concerning selected plant-derived adaptogens and their general function in body with a focus on animal studies

Minerva Cardioangiol ︱Nutraceutical and antioxidant effects of a delphinidin-rich maqui berry extract Delphinol®: a review

Food Science and Nutrition︱Dietary Phytochemicals in Health and Disease: Mechanisms, Clinical Evidence, and Applications—A Comprehensive Review