Once considered an overlooked tropical fruit, Brazil\u2019s jaboticaba is gaining recognition for its high levels of antioxidants, polyphenols, and anthocyanins that may reduce inflammation and support overall wellness.New genomic research has identified biological pathways in the jaboticaba tree that produce beneficial phytochemicals linked to heart health, immune support, and improved digestion.Though fresh jaboticaba is rare outside Brazil, it can be enjoyed as juice, jam, or syrup \u2014 with most of its nutritional power concentrated in the skin.<\/p>\n
When you think of superfoods, fruits like Chinese goji berries or Brazilian a\u00e7a\u00ed likely come to mind. Well, recent research suggests there\u2019s another Brazilian fruit that might achieve superfood status: jaboticaba.<\/p>\n
Historically, this tropical fruit tree has been neglected to the point of endangerment, but an increasing body of\u00a0research<\/a>\u00a0is revealing its major nutritional potential.\u00a0<\/p>\n A new study published in\u00a0Molecular Genetics and Genomics<\/a>\u00a0found a genome, or DNA sequence, for jaboticaba. Researchers conducted a preliminary analysis of the high-quality genome and identified biological pathways that encode enzymes responsible for producing several classes of phytochemicals (naturally occurring plant compounds that provide nutritional benefits) linked to reduced inflammation and improved overall wellness markers.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve never heard of jaboticaba, you\u2019re not alone. The fresh berry is currently hard to come by, but we tapped experts for everything you need to know.\n<\/p>\n What exactly is jaboticaba and where does it come from? <\/p>\n Jaboticaba is a tree native to Brazil, known for its dark purple berries. Sometimes called jabuticaba or Brazilian grapetree, it is also known by several scientific names, including Plinia cauliflora, Myrtaceae cauliflora, and Myrciaria jaboticaba. The round fruit resembles Concord grapes \u2014 and\u00a0reportedly<\/a>\u00a0tastes like Muscadine grapes \u2014 but it grows directly from the trunk and branches of the tree, rather than from stems, says\u00a0Meggie Connelly<\/a>, MS, RDN, LDN, a registered dietitian and owner of Be Balanced Nutrition Services.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n When jaboticaba is ripe, its pulpy interior is creamy and somewhat sherbetlike. Many people prefer to suck out the pulp and discard the seeds and skin, which have a slightly acidic sweetness. However, the entire fruit is edible, and the skin contains many of the fruit\u2019s most powerful beneficial compounds. It\u2019s uncommon to find whole jaboticaba berries in local grocery stores, so Connelly says the fruit is often more accessible in jam, jelly, juice, or syrup form.\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n What kind of beneficial compounds does jaboticaba contain? <\/p>\n Jaboticaba is one of the richest natural sources of antioxidants and anthocyanins, with most of them located in the fruit\u2019s skin, Connelly says.\u00a0Anthocyanins<\/a>\u00a0are the natural pigments that give the fruit its bold purple color, and they\u2019re also a\u00a0type of flavonoid<\/a>\u00a0(a group of compounds known for their antioxidant properties), which help neutralize free radicals in the body, reducing oxidative stress that damages cells, proteins, and DNA.<\/p>\n Additionally, jaboticaba is rich in\u00a0polyphenols<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0carotenoids<\/a>, which have powerful antioxidant properties known to decrease the risk of chronic disease, reduce inflammation, boost immunity, and improve digestion, Connelly says.<\/p>\n The plant also contains\u00a0lignans<\/a>, which support heart health, reduce inflammation, and balance hormones, as well as\u00a0terpenoids<\/a>\u00a0known for their antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects, says\u00a0Benjamin Naman<\/a>, PhD, the director of cultural and medicinal plants research at the San Diego Botanic Garden.\u00a0<\/p>\n With all that in mind, the study suggests that jaboticaba contains a variety of compounds and molecules yet to be discovered, so more research is certainly needed. \u201cDifferent parts of the plant \u2014 for example, the bark, leaves, fruit peel, pulp, and seeds \u2014 contain different compounds, or at least very different concentrations of those molecules that they produce and store, so I hope jaboticaba will be studied in greater detail,\u201d Naman says.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n What are the potential benefits of jaboticaba? <\/p>\n Research into the benefits of jaboticaba is still in the early stages, with many of the most promising studies conducted on animals. Here\u2019s a breakdown of the potential perks:\n<\/p>\n Reduces chronic disease risk <\/p>\n Thanks to their dark color, jaboticaba berries have a high polyphenol content, which provides antioxidant protection in the body by helping neutralize free radicals and minimize oxidative stress, Connelly says. This is important because\u00a0research<\/a>\u00a0strongly links increased oxidative stress to a variety of chronic diseases, including heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, obesity, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson\u2019s.\u00a0\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Decreases inflammation\u00a0 <\/p>\n Jaboticaba berries help combat inflammation due to the high levels of antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C in the skin, Connelly says. The antioxidant properties of anthocyanins are also recognized for their ability to\u00a0protect the body from inflammation and stress-related conditions<\/a>, such as heart disease and cancer, which are otherwise triggered by free radicals.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Stabilizes blood sugar levels <\/p>\n Due to its fiber content, jaboticaba could help maintain healthy blood glucose levels, Connelly says. This is because fiber slows the digestion of carbohydrates, preventing a rapid influx of glucose (sugar) into the bloodstream.\u00a0Initial studies<\/a>\u00a0also suggest that the berry\u2019s anthocyanins and phenolic compounds may improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, ultimately helping cells absorb glucose from the bloodstream for energy.\n<\/p>\n Supports gut diversity\u00a0 <\/p>\n