Long-revered by the Mapuche Indians of Chile for their restorative benefits, maqui berries have been hailed by many as "the next superfruit." Once only found in the lush rain forests of Central America, these rich purple berries are now found in many sources, from tablets and pills to supplements and extracts. 

Maqui berries contain high levels of anthocyanins, a family of powerful antioxidants found many of the world's "superfoods." Antioxidants like anthocynanins prevent the creation of free radicals: dangerous particles which can damage cells. 

Due to its high antioxidant content, maqui can be considered primarily a powerful source of overall health promotion and disease prevention. However, consumption of anthocyanins, like those found in maqui berries, has been linked to protection against high blood pressure and has been shown in recent studies to decrease levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol. Maqui is also highly-trusted in natural medicine as an agent of intestinal regulation, and also for its effects of appetite suppression and fat-burning. Including a supplement of maqui offers a potent anti-aging regimen, as high levels of antioxidents are linked to greater skin elasticity, increased energy, and heightened immune function. Further, many studies link consumption anthocynanins like those found in maqui as part of an effective natural treatment of certain types of cancer.