Nutritional properties and health benefits of Mauritia flexuosa (buriti): A systematic review

Quispe Roque J.C.; Bohórquez-Medina S.L.; Bohórquez-Medina A.L. · Nutricion Clinica y Dietetica Hospitalaria (2026) · DOI: 10.12873/461jcquispe

Resumen

BACKGROUND Mauritia flexuosa (buriti) is an Amazonian palm fruit traditionally consumed for its nutritional and medicinal properties, particularly its high content of carotenoids, tocopherols, phenolic compounds, and unsaturated fatty acids. Objective: This systematic review aimed to synthesize the available evidence on the nutritional composition and health-related effects of Mauritia flexuosa, with particular attention to the type of experimental model used. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase from inception to October 9, 2025, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Original studies evaluating nutritional composition or health effects of M. flexuosa in humans or animals were included. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2 for randomized controlled trials and the SYRCLE tool for animal studies. Results: Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria, including one human randomized controlled trial and fourteen experimental animal studies. The evidence indicates that buriti pulp, oil, or extracts may exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and cardiometabolic effects. However, these findings are based predominantly on heterogeneous animal models, with limited consistency in dosage, intervention duration, and outcome measures. Conclusions: Mauritia flexuosa shows promising functional and nutritional potential; nevertheless, the predominance of animal studies substantially limits the direct extrapolation of these findings to humans. Well-designed clinical trials using standardized preparations are required to confirm efficacy, safety, and applicability in human health.

Instituciones: Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola