Nowadays, when it is generally accepted that berries are beneficial for people who are interested in a healthy lifestyle, maqui berries make the headlines of many specialized publications, as fruits that were found recently and which are believed to contain a large amount of antioxidant, more than any other type of berry.
The tree in which this berry grows, aristotelia chilensis, can reach up to 4-5 meters in height, it is evergreen, with a divided trunk with smooth outer layer. The maqui berries are known as the Chilean wineberries and, locally, in Spanish, as maqui or maque. These berries can be found on the side of the streets or on hills. They are harvested and sold by the Mapuche Indians, the local population from Chile.
These little fruits grow in Chile, specifically in the south, in Patagonia and they were brought to the attention of the healthy lifestyle fanatics by Chris Kilham, a botany American professor, constant researcher of natural remedies from around the world, from Amazon to Siberia. According to the American researcher, they have a great taste, but also certain features beneficial for one’s health.
Juan Hancke, a specialist who studied these fruits for many years, says that they contains antocianine, red pigments with powerful antioxidant effect. These pigments prevent oxidation of cholesterol in the organism and, therefore cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, if consumed on a regular basis, they can also help you fight against the extra kilograms. Basically, these little purple fruits regulate the glucose levels in the blood and, this way, they prevent the formation of fat deposits.
In order to find the true benefits of these amazing berries, some researchers from the USA, more specifically North Carolina, experimented on obese mice, inducing in their diet samples of berries. The outcome was impressive. They discovered that the glucose tolerance was greatly improved.
The conclusion is that the maqui berries still amaze the world with their great benefits, being recommended by nutritionists all over the world as an everyday diet supplement, meant to help the body withstand diseases and illnesses, at the same receiving the right amount of antioxidants.










