All You Want To Know About the Acai Berry
The acai berry is a small, round drupe that is black to purple in color. It is roughly 1-inch in circumference, looks like a grape or blueberry but smaller and with less pulp. There is a single large seed inside which makes up about 80% of the fruit. This distinct berry is indigenous to the Amazon rainforest area. The berries are unique because they grow in panicles of 500 to 900 fruits, and each tree can grow between three to eight panicles at a time.
The acai berry is one of latest discoveries of modern science. It has been found to be packed with nutritional benefits and loaded with a significant amount of antioxidants, placing it on top of the list of natural solutions to modern health problems. Since time immemorial, the acai berry has been a staple of the diet of the locals in the floodplains of the Brazilian Amazon. The Western world has known about acai since the early eighteenth century but it’s only within the last sixty years that the availability of acai has spread beyond the Amazon. More recently, over the last six or seven years, the popularity of Acai Berry has reached unprecedented levels. Now the secret is out in the open and this little ‘wonder fruit’ is causing a global buzz due to its amazing health benefits.
The Acai Berry has been found the have 30 times the anthocyanins of red wine
The acai berry has been found to contain up to ten times the antioxidants of grapes, twice that of blueberries and ten to thirty times the anthocyanins of red wine — the traditional paragon of antioxidant foods! Acai is also rich in omega fats, amino acids, electrolytes, essential vitamins and minerals. Antioxidants eliminate harmful free radicals and thus aids in keeping your cells young and healthy. Among the notable antioxidants found in acai are vitamins C and E, as well as a full-spectrum of flavanoid phytonutrients. Omega fats are one of the good fats that are known to normalize cholesterol level and thus prevent heart diseases. It also helps in maintaining normal brain functions since the brain is 70% fat. Hence, this super fruit is both brain and heart healthy.
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein which is the second most abundant substance in the body, next only to water. Thus, proteins are dubbed the “building blocks of the human body.” So what does this component do for you and your health? Keep in mind that various organs such as the brain, blood and muscles are made up of proteins and proteins are composed of amino acids and both are present in considerable amounts in acai.
Acai berry is rich in electrolytes which are essential in muscle and nerve function. Simply put, electrolytes are important for you and your health since they replenish energy that is lost when you exert effort such as during exercise or any other strenuous activities. It then provides with the much needed energy boost to carry out your daily activities. With regard to vitamins and minerals, acai berry virtually has everything – from A to zinc! Vitamin A is crucial for good vision; vitamin B boosts stamina and aids in the absorption of important minerals; beta carotene and Vitamin C aid in healthy cartilage development; riboflavin is needed to process amino acids and is responsible for proper absorption of carbohydrates by the cells; Vitamins K and D help improve bone density; potassium and sodium are vital for normal function of muscles and nerves; copper in small traces is essential to aid in the formation of collagen and hemoglobin; manganese and zinc help in protecting internal organs and promoting natural health.
With regular intake and incorporation of acai berry into your diet, all the aforementioned vitamins and minerals can be effectively absorbed and utilized by the body. However, it is important to note that no single vitamin or mineral is enough to satisfy the needs of the body. Fruits, vegetables and other phytonutrient-rich foods for optimal health combine nutrients into the most effective mix possible. This is precisely where the acai berry stands out among the more conventional natural food offerings. Acai’s synergistic blend of nutrients and antioxidants make it a key component in the fight against a multitude of diseases as well as the health concerns that go with the natural process of aging. Furthermore, acai berry in combination with other powerful antioxidants can help you reach your optimum health potential by providing added protection to prevent disease and reverse the signs of aging.
Science and modern medicine are now proving what acai enthusiasts have already known for centuries: Acai’s unparalleled synergistic blend of health-promoting compounds make it an undisputed powerhouse for health and wellness. Overall, a quick review of acai studies and research reveals that the fruit indeed provides a plethora of health benefits and much more is due to be unraveled as people get to know more about the acai berry.
