Submit your skincare questions to Dr. Agnes, CEO of Herborium and natural medicine expert
The Back to School and Fall season can be very stressful and busy, especially after the lazy days of summer. Although it can be an exciting time of year too, it can also wreak havoc on your immune system and your skin. Germs are everywhere, especially in the school environment and it’s difficult to stay away from them. By incorporating high-antioxidant foods like the MAQUI BERRY into your diet, your chances of keeping germs and illness at bay and obtaining clear, healthy skin improve significantly. And the best part is, it’s easy to do!
If you’re like most people, you are probably unfamiliar with this newly popularized super berry. The maqui berry, pronounced MAH-key, grows prolifically in certain parts of South America and is renowned for having the highest levels of antioxidants ever tested, to date. Let’s look into this amazing super berry, the benefits for you and your skin and how you can incorporate it into your daily routine.
The maqui berry is a super fruit, different than other super fruits and super berries as it is not cultivated, but grows prolifically in the wild. The berry is predominantly found in Patagonia on the Andes Mountains of Southern Argentina and Chile, a sparsely populated area with rich volcanic soil, free of harmful pollutants. The maqui berry is slightly sweet and tart, with a taste profile similar to a blackberry, blueberry and acai. It is also known as the chilean wineberry or rainforest blueberry due to its deep purple color.
It is best to purchase the maqui berry in its powder form, preferably freeze-dried. The freeze-dried version is ten times as concentrated as the regular dried version and protects the compounds from heat damage in which valuable nutrition is lost.
The maqui berry has the highest content of anti-oxidant rich nutrients of all of the super fruits. Antioxidants are a critical component to your overall health. Although your body produces some antioxidants during normal body processes, it still needs additional antioxidants from a healthy diet of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables.
Antioxidants are beneficial to our skin for a multitude of reasons. Markedly, they slow down premature aging, fight and neutralize free radicals (the compounds produced by metabolism and exposure to toxins and radiation) which cause DNA damage as well as wrinkles and fine lines, and they nourish the skin cells, leaving you with healthy, glowing skin.
In addition to Vitamin C, the maqui berry contains anthocyanin, polyphenol, coumarin, cyanidin and triterpene. Together, these antioxidants have the following properties and benefits that are impossible to ignore:
In addition, the nutrients found in the maqui berry boost the immune system, strengthen bones and joints, renew eyesight, increase brain function and promote clear, healthy skin by renewing skin cells and lessening the impact of aging, all essential in your Fall and Back to School routine.
It can be easy to incorporate this powerful ingredient into your daily diet. The recommended serving for adults is 1-2 teaspoons of powder per day and children should have 1/2 of that. The daily serving can be consumed as a juice, smoothie, blended into baked goods, or a variety of other ways. Supplements are also available but please read the ingredients first and make sure the product is organic and does not contain any additives or unwanted ingredients. There are no side effects associated with the maqui berry and the taste is relatively mild, so experiment in your kitchen, determine what is right for you and your family and have fun with this new addition.
Blend 1/2 tablespoon powder with 2 cups of cold water in a blender. Strain the seeds or fiber through a fine mesh sieve. Serve chilled and add sweetener if desired. Keep any leftovers in the fridge.
2 frozen bananas 1 tablespoon maqui berry powder 2 cups coconut milk (boxed – without carrageenan) 1 cup frozen peaches, blueberries or mixed berries sweetener if desired
Blend all ingredients until smooth and serve.
Don’t forget to take your AcnEase® regularly - this is your first step in fighting and healing your acne. A daily dose of AcnEase® works under the surface of the skin to neutralize excess hormones, leaving the surface of your skin clean, healthy and ultimately acne-free. AcnEase® is an all-botanical ingredient based formula so you don’t have to worry about any side effects due to harsh chemicals. It can be used by anyone, teens or adults, males or females, or pregnant or nursing mothers. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to take the skincare plunge and try AcnEase® as your answer to acne-free skin. We guarantee the results.
We’d love to hear your AcnEase® success story in the comments below. Also, let us know your thoughts about the maqui berry and if you see a difference in your skin and overall health.