Pichuberry^® Properties

Pichuberries are a good source of vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin P, and the B-complex vitamins B1, B6, and B12. By eating only 3 ounces of this power fruit, you’ll meet 37 percent of your daily required vitamin A, 13 percent of your required niacin, 18 percent of your recommended vitamin C, and 39 percent of your vitamin D requirement. (Percent daily values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.)

As many as 77 percent of Americans are vitamin D-deficient, which means they lack critical nutrients for healthy bones, happy moods, and optimal immunity. Recent research reveals that a deficit of vitamin D can lead to weight gain. Up until now, we’ve always been told to get more sunlight in order to take in more vitamin D, but extra sunlight carries the risk of wrinkles and skin cancer. By eating Pichuberries, we get plenty of vitamin D without any negative side effects—and they can help us keep weight down by helping to burn fat and keep hunger at bay.

Pichuberries contain a large group of naturally occurring active chemical compounds called withanolides. There has been a strong link between withanolides and the inhi­bition of cancer cell growth. In fact, one study showed that withanolides inhibited the formation of new blood vessels that can promote tumor growth, and another study showed that they can even prevent tumor cells from invading healthy ones.

Withanolides help to prevent inflammation, which allows them to help relieve pain and manage inflammatory diseases, like arthritis. They also display other significant benefits, including antimicrobial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects.

Pichuberries have a high content of phenolic compounds (aka phenols), which are a natural antioxidant. Vitamin C and phenolic compounds are known to be great free radical scavengers. Free radicals cause oxidation, which can lead to many chronic diseases.

The whole Pichuberry^® contains oil that is rich in 15 fatty acids, including linoleic acid (an essential oil that cannot be produced by humans).

Pichuberry^® oil also has high levels of vitamin E, B-carotene, vitamin K1, and vitamin P (an important flavonoid that helps us absorb vitamin C properly).

The oil extracted from the skin and pulp of the fruit contains high levels of plant sterols. Plant sterols are known to help reduce cholesterol levels, especially the bad cholesterol (LDL). Pichuberries have a low glycemic index of 25, which makes them a diabetes- and weight-loss-friendly fruit.