Quinic acid is found in various plant products and is not produced by the human body. Coffee beans are a popular form in which quinic acid is regularly ingested.
Some believe this acid was introduced into the environment by humans. But more and more evidence is mounting for it occurring naturally. Regardless of where quinic acid came from, more research has been done and is currently being done about its biological role.
One study, in particular, has looked into how exactly quinic acid benefits the human body, if at all. The researchers found that the presence of quinic acid aided in metabolizing tryptophan and nicotinamide as antioxidants. In other words, it pushed these antioxidants to do their job, increasing their levels so that this “job” (antioxidizing) would be done more efficiently.
Within our bodies, quinic acid is turned into hippuric acid while in the GI tract. Scientists have been stumped as to what quinic acid precisely does for years. Recently there has been talk about quinic acid being able to repair DNA, but this topic requires further research.
Some fruits high in quinic acid are:
- Apples
- Aronia Berries
- Peaches
Aronia berries contain a great deal of quinic acid within them. Quinic acid itself has been used as an astringent for industrial uses. In addition, Aronia berries have an extremely astringent taste, which could be a contributing factor!
Since quinic acid enables better antioxidant effects, consuming fruits with this particular type of acid seems beneficial. As more research is done, we will better understand quinic acid benefits. We now know that quinic acid has been used to synthesize various medications. It even shows promise as a treatment for radiation exposure. With all the possible quinic acid benefits, it’s hard to resist eating fruits with a high concentration of this acid.
Health Benefits of Quinic Acid
Although more research is needed, it’s been shown that quinic acid undoubtedly has a few health benefits that can protect the body against certain unpleasant health conditions.
Let’s take a closer look and learn what quinic acid can do for the human body:
Antioxidant properties: Nowadays, the human body is exposed to a wide range of toxic elements that will damage its very structure. Some of the most dangerous compounds for the human body are free radicals. These compounds enter the body via pollution, smoking, and drinking alcohol – they are the most occurring enemies of modern life. They accelerate the natural cellular aging process, affecting the entire body since the cells get unnaturally older.
This is where antioxidants come in. They can fight off the free radicals that can cause so much harm to the body. This is precisely why quinic acid becomes so valuable to your body’s health – it helps keep it feeling and looking young for as long as possible. So, including antioxidant fruits in your diet can only make your body feel more vital and alive.
Anti-neuroinflammatory properties: It’s been shown that quinic acid also plays an integral part in keeping your brain healthy, thanks to its anti-neuroinflammatory properties. This means that a diet high in quinic acid can help you prevent neuroinflammatory diseases that can take a severe toll on your body’s functions.
These neuroinflammatory diseases are:
- Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM), with symptoms such as confusion, irritability, fever, and headaches.
- Acute Optic Neuritis (AON), with symptoms ranging from painful eye movements to complete vision loss.
- Transverse Myelitis, with symptoms such as paresthesias, weakness, and sphincter dysfunction.
- Neuromyelitis Optica, with symptoms such as optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, and nausea or vomiting.
In summary, quinic acid becomes even more potent and invaluable in the human body’s quest for prolonged youthfulness, strong cognitive abilities, and an unshakeable immune system.
Anti-vascular inflammatory properties: Quinic acid also plays a crucial role in fighting vascular inflammation, such as atherosclerosis. This disease describes a build-up of cholesterol, fats, and other substances in your artery walls, severely restricting blood flow. This disease can manifest in several vital arteries of the human body:
- In the arteries leading to your brain: The symptoms may be a weakness in your legs and arms, slurred speech, temporary loss of vision in one eye, or drooping facial muscles. If untreated, this may ultimately lead to a stroke.
- In your heart arteries: The symptoms may be chest pressure, otherwise known as angina, or chest pain.
- In the arteries of your arms and legs: The symptoms may include leg pain when walking (claudication).
- In the arteries leading to your kidneys: The symptoms may include high blood pressure or kidney failure.
Radioprotection properties: Quinic acid also has this unique property of fighting off the harmful effects of radiation on the human body. In today’s world, we’re constantly bombarded with a myriad of harmful substances that the body is not evolved enough to stave off. This is why prioritizing a diet high in quinic acid may add many more years to your life, enabling you to feel fresh and healthy for a longer time.
As you can see, quinic acid needs much more recognition than it currently gets worldwide. Fruits are only known for their minerals and vitamins, but rarely does anyone talk about this essential component – quinic acid.
Helping Your Immune System Skyrocket With These High-Quinic Acid Fruits
Apples
Suppose you’ve made apples a regular feature in your healthy diet. In that case, you need to know that apart from all the fantastic benefits that quinic acid brings to the table, apples will also help you benefit from the following:
- Vitamin A – Great in preventing age-related macular diseases, so your eye health will be protected.
- Vitamin C – Will protect and repair all the tissues in the body. This vitamin will also help build collagen.
- Vitamin D – This vitamin helps regulate the intake of calcium and phosphate in the body, playing a key role in maintaining the health of your bone system.
- Vitamin E – This helps repair damaged cells and is also excellent for the overall health and aspect of your skin.
- Thiamin – Or vitamin B1, is essential in heart, muscle, and nerve function.
- Riboflavin – Or vitamin B2, plays a crucial role in managing the energy levels in the body.
- Niacin – or vitamin B3, may help lower cholesterol, boost brain function, and ease arthritis.
- Vitamin B6 – This vitamin plays a key role in easing the symptoms of anxiety and depression, among other benefits.
- Folate – This is actively involved in producing DNA and RNA in the body while converting carbohydrates into energy.
- Vitamin B12 – This helps your body produce more red blood cells.
- Pantothenic Acid – Or vitamin B5, is essential in the human body since it’s involved in making blood cells while helping your body convert the food it eats into much needed energy that can give the sustenance required to get through the day.
Aronia Berries
Aronia berries, on the other hand, are also potent antioxidant fruits that contain a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, apart from the very potent quinic acid:
- Proteins- Are also called ‘macronutrients’ since they are essential in building and repairing tissues in the body.
- Fiber – This nutrient is essential in regulating the gastrointestinal processes of the body. Additionally, it will help you snack less, thanks to the feeling of satiety it brings.
- Manganese – This may help reduce inflammation in the body, improve bone health, and regulate blood sugar, among other benefits.
- Vitamin K – This vitamin is essential in bone metabolism and preventing bone clotting.
- Iron – Helps create hormones and contributes to a healthy transmission of nerve signals.
- Folate
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin A
All this powerful combination of nutrients and the quinic acid, make aronia berries a must in your diet if you’re looking to have a healthy life far from ailments and unpleasant health conditions.
Peaches
Peaches are also some of the most delicious fruits out there. Their juicy pulp and alluring aroma draw in even the most fruit-averse people out there. Apart from this, they are a powerhouse of nutrients, including the powerful quinic acid:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- Thiamin
- Riboflavin
- Niacin
- Vitamin B6
- Folate
- Vitamin B12
- Pantothenic Acid
Making the Best of Your High-Quinic Acid Fruits
If you want to truly enjoy the most of what these fruits offer, you need to store them properly, so they can maintain their freshness and, implicitly, their nutrients.
Storing Your Apples
When it comes to apples, for example, the ideal storing temperature is between 30 and 35 degrees F – this way, they will last as long as possible. If you have many apples, storing them in a cool and dark place is best. They give off ethylene gas, which will be damaging to neighboring produce, so make sure you don’t store any other fruits or vegetables next to them. It’s best to regularly check on your apples since they may start going bad and immediately ‘infect’ the neighboring apple.
If you have fewer apples, you may keep them in the fridge in a sealed bag or container. Of course, you can also leave them on the counter at room temperature, but you’ll only have a few days before they go bad.
Storing Your Aronia Berries
Berries are usually more perishable, so eating your aronia berries as soon as possible is best. If you’re lucky, they may last a maximum of a day when you store them at room temperature. Still, the most indicated way to go is to keep them in the refrigerator in a closed-off container. You can also freeze your aronia berries – this way, you’ll have them fresh even after months. Another option is to dry them up to consume them later.
Storing Your Peaches
You can store your peaches in the refrigerator in a loosely sealed plastic bag if your peaches are perfectly ripe. If they still need to ripen, you can easily leave them outside, on the counter, at room temperature, for a few more days. If you want to accelerate this process, place them in a brown paper bag. Suppose you want to eat them at a much later date in the future. In that case, you can comfortably freeze or even dry them up, ensuring all moisture is eliminated from these juicy fruits.
There’s no limit to how much we can benefit from these natural wonders that come under the shape of antioxidant fruits. In a world where drugstore supplements rule, fruits naturally high in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and quinic acid can make a huge difference in boosting the immune system and actively building a health support system to joyously see you through everything life has to offer. So what’s your experience with these fruits? What are some of the health improvements you’ve noticed since eating them?
