Calories in Jabuticaba: Nutritional facts for Jabuticaba Types

One hundred grams (3.5 oz) of raw jabuticaba fruit contains 50 calories.

One kilogram (1,000 g or 35.3 oz) of raw jabuticaba fruit contains 500 calories.

One single medium jabuticaba berry weighing 6 g (0.21 oz) contains 3 calories. A large berry weighing 8 g (0.28 oz) contains 4 calories. A small berry weighing 4 g (0.14 oz) contains 2 calories.

Jabuticaba provides specific health benefits like supporting respiratory health and reducing cellular inflammation due to its high concentration of anthocyanins and the unique depside jaboticabin. This fruit, frequently called the "Brazilian grape tree," "jaboticaba," or "guapuru," is a staple in South American traditional medicine and modern gastronomy. A list of the health benefits of jabuticaba is shown below.

• Combats Cellular Oxidation: The dark purple skin of the fruit is exceptionally rich in anthocyanins, which act as powerful antioxidants. A study by Wu et al. (2012), "Anthocyanins from Jaboticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora) Fruit Peel," demonstrated its efficacy in inhibiting oxidative stress and neutralizing free radicals.
• Reduces Inflammation: The unique compound jaboticabin actively inhibits inflammatory pathways in the body, providing relief for chronic inflammatory conditions.
• Supports Respiratory Health: Traditional Brazilian medicine utilizes a decoction of the fruit's skin to treat asthma, hemoptysis, and chronic coughs.
• Improves Gastrointestinal Function: The dietary fiber and astringent properties of the skin help regulate bowel movements and treat diarrhea.
• Regulates Blood Sugar: Compounds in the skin slow the absorption of glucose, improving insulin sensitivity. Research by Dragano et al. (2013), "Freeze-dried jaboticaba peel improves glucose tolerance," confirms its potential in managing metabolic syndrome.
• Enhances Immune Function: The Vitamin C content supports the body's natural defense mechanisms and stimulates white blood cell production.
• Protects Cardiovascular Health: The antioxidants prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, supporting clear arteries and robust circulation.

Jabuticaba has been known to cause some unwanted effects like severe constipation and choking hazards due to its high tannin content and central seeds. A list of the downsides of jabuticaba is shown below.

• Induces Constipation: Consuming excessive amounts of the thick, tannin-rich skins can significantly slow down intestinal transit and cause severe constipation.
• Choking Hazard: The round fruit contains one to four hard seeds that pose a significant choking risk for young children.
• High Perishability: The fruit begins to ferment within three days of harvesting, leading to an off-flavor and a very short shelf life.
• Risk of Allergic Reaction: Individuals with specific fruit or pollen allergies may experience cross-reactivity and oral irritation.
• Potential for Weight Gain: When processed into jams, jellies, or liqueurs, the added sugars significantly increase the caloric density, neutralizing its weight management benefits.

Yes, jabuticabas are good for you because they deliver 24% of the DV for Vitamin C and a highly unique profile of anti-inflammatory antioxidants in every 100 g (3.5 oz) serving. Healthy individuals should consume 100 g (3.5 oz) to 150 g (1 cup) per day to gain respiratory and metabolic benefits. The major benefits include the support of glucose tolerance and the protection of cells against aging. Research by Dragano et al. (2013), "Freeze-dried jaboticaba peel improves glucose tolerance," confirms that regular consumption of the peel contributes to significant metabolic improvements. It is an ideal nutrient-dense snack for those seeking a sweet treat with functional health properties.

The calories in jabuticaba do not vary significantly between commercial fresh varieties, as most standard cultivars contain approximately 48 to 52 calories per 100 g (3.5 oz). The primary difference lies in the skin thickness and water content; the Branca variety lacks the heavy tannins of the dark skin and presents a slightly higher sugar concentration. Dried jabuticaba peel powder shows the most significant variation, containing roughly 280 calories per 100 g (3.5 oz) due to the removal of water which concentrates the carbohydrates and fiber. Commercial jabuticaba jams contain over 260 calories per 100 g (3.5 oz) due to the heavy addition of refined sugars necessary for preservation.

The origin of the jabuticaba (Plinia cauliflora) is the southeastern region of Brazil, specifically the states of Minas Gerais, Goiás, and São Paulo. The tree is famous for its cauliflory, a botanical trait where the flowers and subsequent fruits grow directly on the main trunk and branches rather than on stems. The name derives from the Tupi language word Jabuti, meaning "tortoise," and Caba, meaning "place," reflecting the region where tortoises were commonly found eating the fallen fruit.

The fruit has been harvested by indigenous populations for millennia and became a staple in colonial Brazilian households. Due to its extremely short shelf life, jabuticaba was rarely exported fresh, restricting its culinary use strictly to its native borders. In the modern era, the development of freeze-drying and commercial pulp freezing has allowed the fruit to enter the international market as an exotic superfood. Today, the city of Sabará in Minas Gerais hosts an annual Jabuticaba Festival, cementing the fruit's status as a Brazilian cultural icon.