Acai antioxidant benefits are fast becoming the number one reason Acai has jumped to the top of the list of foods that help you stay healthy and fit. The juice from this Brazilian berry is now added to smoothies, and fruit mixes to enhance weight loss and add energy for sports and everyday living. The Acai (pronounced Ah-Sigh-Ee) is even good for the environment, as it is more valuable when taken from wild grown palms in Brazil instead of from deforested areas, thus helping protect the rainforest.

Acai grows in the tropical rainforests of Brazil, on very tall palms that grow up to 100 feet in height. It thrives near floodplains and swampy lands. Another beneficial product from these palms besides the berries is the palm heart. A popular food, removing the palm heart does destroy the palm tree, however they are easily regrown by planting the suckers from the tree. The Acai berries are harvested like most berries and removing them does not disturb the palm. They are renewable and grow in large bunches on the palm. There can be about 700 berries on each bunch.

Acai berries are very dark blackish purple in color, small and round like blueberries. Unlike blueberries, the Acai berry is mostly seed, about 90%. The pulp is easily crushed and removed from the large seed, and from this pulp, the juice is extracted. The juice is then bottled, frozen, dehydrated or freeze dried. The berries will stain anything they touch, and they will deteriorate and fade quickly, so they need to be processed quickly after harvesting. They are not sold as berries, but are used as juice or powder and mixed with other fruits and foods like yogurt and granola. The cold pressing method of juicing is preferred to maintain the highest nutritional levels.

Acai antioxidant value is roughly twice that of blueberries, and ten times that of grapes. The Acai berry is touted as a high fiber superfood for this reason. The actual antioxidant is anthocyanin. The berries are also very high in Vitamin B, another great health element. It has been said that the Acai is the best tasting berry, with flavor similar to berries with a slightly chocolatey or grapelike aftertaste. The dehydrated berry powders are widely used in health food mixes and drinks.

The Acai antioxidant antocyanin is an essential antioxidant that helps combat premature aging. The benefits of drinking a glass of red wine is well known for its anthocyanin content; the Acai berry contains 10 to 30 times more anthocyanins than that glass of red wine. Antioxidants are important to body health because they help fight the free radicals that cause cellular damage, especially as we age.

It is interesting that the Acai berry is such an amazing health food, because it also is very high in calories and in fat, unlike the blueberry, which is very low in fat content. The Acai berry single serving provides about 600 calories, mostly from its high fat content. Total fat content runs about 40% of its dry weight, very high for fruit. The berry also has very high fiber content, about 35%.

There are three essential fatty acids in the Acai fruit, Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9. These help lower harmful LDL cholesterol, while at the same time elevate helpful HDL cholesterol. It is remarkably similar to the fat combination found in olive oil, another beneficial health food. These Omega fatty acids fight heart disease and are essential for the body nervous system health and regeneration. They increase healthy cell growth, and after exercise they aid in muscle repair. Amino acids are important for muscle health, and increasing muscle endurance and strength. From this you get sustained energy and better muscle development. The berry contains theobromine, which as a bronchial diator helps open lung air passage ways. The increased air intake capacity increases muscle endurance and strength, and therefore promotes better overall athletic performance.

In addition to its amino acid complex, the Acai berry contains natural Vitamin E, which is an anti-aging vitamin that helps in cell repair and rejuvenation. Vitamin E is good for skin condition and recovery after surgery. It is very high in Vitamin A, and has outstanding essential mineral content of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. Other trace minerals include: copper, iron, cobalt, chromium and manganese.

Acai contains plant photosterols, complex compounds of plant cell membranes that are used to treat symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia. They work by improving health of the cardiovascular system, and also can help maintain health in the digestive tract.

The Acai antioxidant properties combine with its vitamin and mineral content to surpass other popular fruits. It is claimed to have almost miracle like health benefits, widely publicized for weight loss, age related disease, and apparent help as a sexual stimulant. Acai is a fighter against heart failure, dementia, and cancer. It is used as a health food that improves mental sharpness, regulates metabolism, and promotes more efficient fat burning for weight loss.

The Acai antioxidant benefits are featured on televised health programs, talk shows, and diet specials. It is sold at health food stores, organic supermarkets, and on many internet websites. It is an exotic product, cultivated and grown in far away Brazil, in the protected rainforests in an organic, chemical free environment. In selecting juice products, it is important to look for cold bottling techniques, because heat can either destroy or change the inherent berry properties.

Acai is an amazing natural health superfood. You can use the juice or power in healthy fruit smoothies, energy drinks, and in yogurt and granola combinations for a healthy snack. Be sure to handle the juice or powders with care to preserve their beneficial effects. Read labels for content and processing methods. Remember it does have a high caloric content, so bring that into account when you are meal planning. And, if you have any questions or concerns, please consult your doctor or nutritionist before using Acai.
Acai Antioxidant Benefits