Facts about Acai Berries
The acai berry grows on the acai palms, in the Amazon across the floodplains in the tropical rain forests. The actual size of the berries is almost the same as that of large blueberries or small grapes, and they hang in huge clusters on slim stalks found at the apex of the acai trees. Most trees grow more than 50 feet tall. Natives in these areas have relied upon the nutrition supplied by the acai palm and berries for centuries. The fruit has produced around 40% of the foods consumed by the natives in the Amazon forest.
The acai berry is small fruit which is around 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. The berries contain a large internal kernel which is inedible; just 10-20% of each berry contain edible pulp. Many ripe acai berries feature a color just like the purple of a plum fruit. However, some species yield green acai fruit. Regardless of what color the fruit is, they are all similar taste that is usually described as a mix of ripe, mixed berries and dark chocolate.
Health Benefits of Acai Fruit
Acai berry or juice contains excellent amount of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that contain health advantages as well as disease preventing benefits.
Antioxidants of the Acai Berry
Among the health advantages of the acai fruit, the antioxidants receive the most attention. This could be due to many of the health benefits provided by the acai berry is based on its antioxidant content. Being antioxidant implies that the berry is able to eliminating toxic compounds in the human body.
Antioxidants in acai berry have been greatly publicized by the media. Various health professionals have employed the fruit to improve the overall health of those who need help. Many even consume them regularly for weight loss.
Workout is essential in a weight loss program. Even so, if a person has plenty of toxic compounds in his body, which results in energy loss, he could be reluctant to follow a rigid exercise program.
When consumed without workout, the acai berry provides the natural capability to help control cholesterol in your body. This is good for weight management.
If consumed on a regular basis, the acai berry really helps to delay the aging process, and can even aid the prevention of cancer.
Other Health Advantages of Acai Fruit
- Compared to other fruits, acai berry offers high calories and fats. Every 100 g has 80-250 kcal based upon the technique of preparation and serving. Actually, fresh acai fruit has been the preferred nutritious diet of indigenous Amazonians for many centuries.
- Acai berry or juice has a great deal of polyphenolic anthocyanin compounds such as resveratrol, ferulic acid, cyanidin-3-galactoside, petunidin, delphinidin and pro-anthocyanidin tannins including epicatechin, ellagic acid and protocatechuic acid. Research on all these compounds indicates that these useful compounds have been said to function as anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, anti-cancer due to their anti-free radical properties. Moreover, tannins have anti-hemorrhagic, anti-inflammatory and anti-infective properties.
- Research also shows that ellagic acid contained in acai berry offers anti-proliferative properties because of its capability of preventing the DNA binding of some carcinogens, for instance nitrosamines toxins.
- Acai berry is loaded with medium chain fatty acids including omega-6 and omega-9. All these compounds reduce LDL-cholesterol and increase HDL-cholesterol in human body and help prevent cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, they improve skin dryness by retaining enough moisture within your skin.
- Acai pulp contains substantial amount of fiber. Good dietary fiber in the diet helps eliminate cholesterol through the stools.
- Acai berry has moderate oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) value, more than the value of oranges but lower than the value pomegranate has.
- Acai berries are rich in minerals such as potassium, iron, copper, magnesium and manganese. Potassium is an essential for healthy blood pressure and heart rate. Manganese is needed by human body as a co-factor for superoxide dismutase, an antioxidant enzyme.
- They are abundant with vitamin K and B-complex vitamins such as vitamin B3, vitamin B6 and vitamin B2. These vitamins work as co-factors to help the body metabolizes fats, proteins and carbohydrates.
Calories and Nutrition of Acai Berries
| Nutrition Facts of 100 g Acai Berries |
| Calories |
247 |
| Total Fat |
0 g |
| Cholesterol |
0 mg |
| Sodium |
0 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates |
0 g |
| Protein |
0 g |
Recipe of Acai Berries
Acai Fruit Breakfast Bowl
Ingredients: 1 cup acai pulp; 1/2 cup soy milk; 1 large banana, sliced; 1/2 cup corn flakes; fresh fruit slices
Preparation: Mix acai pulp, soy milk and banana in an electronic mixer. Pour the mixture into a bowl and top with the fresh fruit slices and corn flakes.
Side Effects of Acai Berries
Are there side effects from eating acai berries? The simple answer is no! Acai berry is simply a fruit similar to various other fruits like bananas or apples. You do not expect you'll get any negative effects from consuming bananas or apples, do you? The sole difference, nevertheless, is that you will not find acai berries at the supermarket.
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