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Medicinal plant with an antioxidant effect, indicated in the prevention of type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, cardiovascular diseases, prostate cancer and leukemia.
names
Name: Jabuticaba, jabuticaba-paulista, jabuticaba-açu, jabuticaba-ponhema, jabuticaba-híbrida, jabuticabeira, jaboticaba.
Binomial name: Myrciaria cauliflora (Mart.) O. Berg.
French name: Jabuticaba
English name: Jabuticaba
German name: Jabuticaba
Family
Myrtaceae
Constituents
Vitamin C, niacin (vitamin B3 of the B complex), phenolic compounds (anthocyanins and tannins), fiber and minerals (iron, calcium and phosphorus).
parts used
Fruit peel , fruit, pulp, seed.
Effects
Antioxidant, hypolipidemic (lowers blood cholesterol) and decreases insulin resistance.
Indications
– Prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes (additional treatment)
– Prevention and treatment of high cholesterol (complementary treatment)
– Prevention of cardiovascular disease
– Prevention of prostate cancer and leukemia.
In cases of diabetes, high cholesterol and cardiovascular diseases, the use of jabuticaba should be associated with healthy eating habits, exercise and drug treatment (when indicated by the doctor).
Secundary effects
No side effects reported, according to our sources.
contraindications
The jabuticaba fruit is rich in sugar (fructose) and should be consumed in moderation in cases of diabetes.
Interactions
No interactions reported, according to our sources.
Preparations
– Jabuticaba peel flour
– Tea (infusion) of dried jabuticaba bark
– Fresh fruit: Experts indicate the daily consumption of 10 unpeeled jabuticaba units
– Jabuticaba juice with peel (avoid sweetening, as it can alter its effect)
– Logurt and dairy products enriched with jabuticaba peel flour
Where does jabuticaba grow?
The jabuticabeira is a tree originally from Brazil, more specifically from Minas Gerais, in mountainous regions of the Atlantic Forest. But it can also be found in other states of Brazil that have Atlantic forest, such as Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, among others.
When to harvest jabuticaba?
Myrcaria cauliflora (Mart.)O.Berg. it blooms mainly in early spring (September) and its fruits can be harvested soon after, but it can also flower again in February, producing fruit again. Other species of jabuticaba can flower and bear fruit at other times (see observations).
Interesting Observations
The popular name jabuticaba is used for many species, one of the best known and studied is Myrciaria cauliflora (Mart.)O.Berg, which this article is about. Other very similar species are also called jabuticaba and have similar constitution, such as: Myciaria coronata Mattos (jabuticaba-coroada) whose fruits ripen in November and can be found mainly in RJ; Myrciaria jaboticaba (Vell.) O.Berg. (jabuticaba-sabará) whose fruits ripen in October to November and can be found mainly in MG and RJ.; Myrciaria grandifolia Mattos (great jabuticaba) whose fruits ripen in November and can be found mainly in RJ; Myrciaria Spirito-santensis Mattos (jabuticaba-do-mato) whose fruits ripen in October and can be found in ES, RJ and MG.
Researchers from the Federal University of Minas Gerais and the Federal University of Vale do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri published in November 2013 in the journal “Journal of Medical Food”, a study that demonstrates the hypolipidemic effect of jabuticaba peel, mainly in reducing blood cholesterol and of the triglyceride. This study was carried out in healthy rats with a regular diet, other studies with obese rats had already demonstrated the effect of frozen jabuticaba peel in increasing HDL (good cholesterol) and in decreasing insulin resistance (which occurs in cases of diabetes type 2). However, additional studies are still needed to prove its effect and safety in humans.
The action of this plant is mainly due to the antioxidant effect of the anthocyanins that are in greater concentration in the jabuticaba bark. This molecule is responsible for the dark color of the peel and also for its bitter taste. The pulp (white part) of jabuticaba also has characteristics that favor health, such as the presence of iron, phosphorus, vitamin C and niacin (vitamin B3).
In 2012, researchers from UNICAP (State University of Campinas) published a study in the journal “Food Research International” which demonstrated that jabuticaba peel has a preventive (antiproliferative) effect on prostate cancer and leukemia. In this study, in-vitro tests were performed on leukemia and prostate cancer cells with frozen jabuticaba bark extract.
Another study published in 2009 in the “Revista Brasileira de Plantas Medicinais”, carried out by researchers from the Federal University of Paraíba, demonstrated that jabuticaba leaves have a potential effect on bacteria that cause caries. In this study, in-vitro tests were performed with ethanolic extract of leaves of Myrciaria cauliflora (Mart.)O.Berg.
In traditional medicine, jabuticaba is used as an astringent in the form of a decoction (from the jabuticaba bark dried by the sun) in cases of diarrhea, asthma and blood expectoration. As a gargle, it is used in cases of inflammation of the tonsils.
In cooking, jabuticaba can be transformed into jelly, juice, liqueur and vinegar.
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