Researchers from the Biology Institute of the University of Campinas (Unicamp) found beneficial effects of the extract made from the bark of the jabuticaba. It would be able to prevent pre- diabetes and decrease the accumulation of fat in the liver, a condition known as fatty liver.
Jabuticaba is a natural fruit from the Atlantic forest and most of its main nutrients are found in the bark. The extract was created in partnership with the Faculty of Food Engineering (FEA) at Unicamp.
To perform the test, 70 laboratory rats were used, separated into 7 groups of 10. They were divided by age, diets and administration of jabuticaba bark extract in two different amounts.
It was found that in the aged rats, which received the extract and a fatty diet – with up to 5 times more fat than recommended -, the amount of bad cholesterol (LDL) was significantly lower than in the rats that had no contact with the extract.
This lower amount of cholesterol was similar to the rates found in younger rats, which did not receive the extract from the jabuticaba bark.
In addition, the livers of aged rats on a fatty diet who used the extract showed less fat than those who did not.
It was also found that greater amounts of extract caused the accumulation of fat to be even less, equalizing it to the livers of young rats on a normal diet.
The rats that ingested the extract also had lower amounts of blood sugar compared to those that did not use ingested.
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Pre-diabetes is characterized by an elevated blood sugar level, and hepatic steatosis by the presence of fat in the liver. Both conditions can be caused by poor diet, among other causes.
The diet that was given to the mice caused both conditions, but only in the rodents that were not ingesting the extract.
The results that appear in rats cannot always be reproduced in humans, as they involve different organisms. But what is found in small laboratory animals is usually the initial step for positive advances in human health to happen.
The study proves that the jabuticaba bark has healthy compounds that can help people deal with conditions often related to aging , such as diabetes and fatty liver.
As we age, many of our metabolic functions begin to have problems. With human life expectancy increasing every year, these conditions affect more and more people.
This type of discovery can provide clues on how to improve the quality of life for all of us, through the benefits of good nutrition.
The properties and benefits of jabuticaba
The peel of jabuticaba is the part where the main nutrients of the fruit are found, but the food as a whole brings several health benefits. Check out the main properties:
Antioxidants
Jabuticaba has several antioxidants. Vitamin C and vitamin E are also and are present in this fruit.
Antioxidants are cell protectors. They prevent free radicals from aging cells too early and also function as anti-inflammatories, preventing cell damage caused by inflammation.
The main one, in the case of jabuticaba, is anthocyanin . It is present 2 to 10 times more in jabuticaba than in other fruits. It turns out that in this fruit, anthocyanin is present in the skin, which is often thrown away.
C vitamin
Vitamin C, in addition to being an antioxidant, also serves to strengthen the immune system and the formation of collagen. Collagen is what our bodies use to connect one cell to another. It gives firmness to the skin, muscles, organs and even bones.
Vitamin C is essential for human life and we need to eat it in food, so it is always positive to eat fruits that have it, such as jabuticaba.
Folic acid
The folic acid , also known as vitamin B9 is present in the blemish and is used in the formation of protein structural and hemoglobin, which is a protein found in blood.
It is essential for the blood production of our body and has several beneficial effects such as helping to prevent anemia , protecting against Alzheimer’s disease and controlling hypertension.
Folic acid is also very important for pregnant women, as it helps prevent fetal abnormalities in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Importance of food
Food is essential for maintaining health, especially if you want to remain healthy until old age. Metabolism problems, and even other things related to the way we eat, start to appear as time goes by.
The changes that occur in the body are slow and can go unnoticed.
Diabetes, hepatitis, fatty liver, gout , osteoporosis , all of these conditions can start to appear over the years and the way we eat during our lives can speed up or delay all of that.
Try to eat in a balanced way, hydrate yourself and don’t forget to visit the doctor frequently.
Read more: Healthy Eating: what it is, benefits, how to have it, menu, tips
A consultation with a nutritionist as the years go by can also help to put together a healthy menu so that old age arrives without major complications.
Jabuticaba has several nutrients, especially in its bark, which is rich in antioxidants, and studies show its health benefits.
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