Acerola is a fruit unusually rich in vitamin C, and nearly all its effects follow from that. Where vitamin C status is low, it raises it efficiently: shorter colds, better iron absorption from plant foods, a small drop in blood pressure, improved artery-lining function. Where status is full, extra intake is largely excreted. Trade-offs are dose-dependent, not fruit-specific. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Plasma vitamin C | 50–70 µmol/L | Establishes headroom and confirms the dose worked |
| Ferritin | 30–100 ng/mL | Detects the iron-loading state in which enhanced absorption is a harm |
| Transferrin saturation | 20–35% | Confirms or excludes iron overload before regular use |
| 24-hour urinary oxalate | <30 mg/24 h | Directly measures the pathway by which vitamin C raises stone risk |
| Estimated glomerular filtration rate | >90 mL/min/1.73 m² | Kidney filtration governs oxalate clearance and dose tolerance |
| High-sensitivity C-reactive protein | <1.0 mg/L | Tracks the low-grade inflammation acerola is claimed to lower |
| ALT and AST | ALT <25 U/L (men), <20 U/L (women) | Reference point for the liver enzyme changes seen in the acerola athlete study |
| Fasting glucose | 75–90 mg/dL | Baseline for the disputed post-meal glucose effect |
| Serum uric acid | 3.5–5.5 mg/dL | Captures the small urate-lowering effect and monitors gout-prone individuals |
Cadence: Baseline, then plasma vitamin C and any abnormal baseline rechecked at 8–12 weeks, then every 6–12 months while intake continues; for gram-level extract use, urinary oxalate and kidney function repeated annually.