The anthocyanin content of maqui berries and various fruits is of great importance. We recently conducted research on the anthocyanin content of freshly harvested maqui berries and found conflicting information. One online source claimed that the content was as high as 14.2% of dry weight, while another study found an average of 7.2 mg per gram of fresh weight, or 0.72% of fresh weight.

We were doubtful of the previously mentioned anthocyanin content claims, so we reached out to our friend, Mr. Claudio Rabuco of the MNL Group, a Chilean company that specializes in all things maqui products, in his expert opinion. He gave the following response.

According to Mr. Claudio Rabuco, the anthocyanin content in fresh maqui fruit can vary greatly, ranging from 0.2% to 2% depending on the quality of the plants and their maturity at harvest. He noted that this can lead to a significant difference in content. He also stated that while the second set of numbers (0.72%) is within an acceptable range, he finds it highly unlikely that the dry fruit would contain 14.2% anthocyanins.

It’s worth noting, that in his response, Claudio Rabuco emphasized that the anthocyanin content of maqui berries can vary quite significantly based on factors such as the specific cultivar, the growing conditions, and the ripeness of the berries. 

It is interesting to note that these factors can greatly impact the effectiveness of the materials used in supplements. However, it is concerning that most products on the market do not mention these critical points, despite their significant impact on the potency of the product. As a conscientious consumer, it may be important to look into details about the harvesting processes. Buyer beware!

Once you find a good source, maqui berries are known to be a premium source of anthocyanins. In fact, it is argued that they are the best. Nonetheless, it’s important to remember that the actual amount of anthocyanins present in any given serving of maqui berries or any other fruit source can vary significantly given the conditions described above.