What Is Acai Berry And Its Benefits?
April 28, 2009 by Anne Marie Benson
Filed under Weight Loss
The acai berry is a tiny, little fruit that is only grown in the rainforests of Brazil. What makes this tiny berry so astounding is that it has been determined that the acai berry contains some of the highest antioxidant and anthocyanins levels of any fruit found on Earth. The acai berry has 10 times the antioxidant activity of red grapes and twice the antioxidant levels of another powerful fruit, the blueberry. The acai berry also has 10 to 30 times the antioxidant levels of red wine.
The acai berry contains several specific substances with high antioxidant properties called anthocyanins and flavonoids. The anthocyanins are the substance that makes the deep red, purple and blue colors that are found in many healthy foods. Foods that are high in anthocyanins are extremely nutritious and they are generally very deeply colored from deep reds to deep purples to almost black. This would include blueberries, red grapes, and plums and of course, the acai berry.
Stress makes unstable atoms and molecules in the body that are called free radicals. A free radical can be denoted as a molecule or atom that has a single unpaired electron. An antioxidant such as anthocyanins and flavonoids will pair up the random electron and thereby stabilize the molecule. Both anthocyanins and flavonoids are strong antioxidants that protect the body from free radicals and other stessors.
Antioxidant capacity is classified by a number referred to as an ORAC score. An ORAC score assesses the capability of a substance to neutralize free radicals in a test tube. The higher the number of the ORAC scores the stronger the antioxidant properties of the substance being evaluated. The acai berry has an extremely high ORAC score. Many of the products made with the acai berry have retained this high ORAC capacity.
In addition to being an exceptional source of antioxidants the acai berry is shockingly high in Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9 fatty acids. The acai berry also contains 19 different amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. This is highly atypical for a fruit.
Vitamins and plant sterols are also abundant in the acai berry. Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and E are all present within this tiny little powerhouse. The acai berry also contains potassium, magnesium, calcium, copper and zinc. Three plant sterols have also been found in the acai berry and these substances have been shown to provide many health advantages.
Even with all of these amazing health benefits one of the nicest things about the acai berry is that it is quite tasty and it provides a healthy dose of fiber. Acai berry products range from dried berries to a delicious juice and even various products made from the extract. Acai berries can be used in desserts, smoothies and more.
Continuing research into the acai berry is finding more and more positive health advantages associated with this small little berry. The acai berry has been commended as a benefit for weight loss, prevention of and protection against diseases and more. Research is proving that this tiny little berry from the rainforests of Brazil offers huge nutritional advantages.
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