Some have called this a superfood and as a result the Acai berry has gained worldwide identification. It is claimed that within this small berry is the power to increase energy and promote antioxidants within the body and as a result is has been under the spotlight from scientific research, which has looked into the fruits properties; the findings of which have been quite substantial.
There is only one place in the world that produces the Acai berry; this is the rainforests of the Amazon and like other fruits and vegetables the faster they are processed for shipping the higher the health benefits are for you. Within the Amazon rainforest this berry is found growing wild on top of many palm trees that are native to the rainforests. It is the local farmers of the area who harvest the fruit from the trees and use it to make a fruit pulp, which is then frozen as a means of preserving the nutrient value.
When it comes to the nutrient value of the Acai berry you can get an idea of the health benefits of them from the fact they are considered to be amongst the most nutritious foods within the Amazon. They are rich in B vitamins, minerals, and fiber, protein and omega-3 fatty acids. They have also been found to be a rich source of anthocyanins and other phenolics and phyto-nutrients. On top of all these properties these berries have also been proven to contain oleic acid (omega-9), which is a beneficial fatty acid, it isn’t however essential as it is often incorrectly referred to as.
The Acai berry has become so popular that there are now a number of products on the market; you are able to get them in drink form, powders and capsules but what exactly are these berries suppose to do to aspects of our health? Well research has been carried out into the health benefits that are associated with them and scientists have suggested that the berries aid in the following:
- Better digestion
- Better sleep
- More energy
- Clearer skin
- Detoxification
This is how the Acai berries have been reported to work; they are used as a means of improving certain aspects of our health. As well as the above the Acai berry is also considered to be an aid when it comes to preventing heart disease. The reason for this is down to the fact the berry contains a very high concentration of compounds known as anthocyanins. Scientists are interested in this fact for the reason these compounds are found within red wine, which is already known for its health benefits. The Acai berry however has up to 30 times more anthocyanins than red wine does.
One point that should be noted about this superfood is the fact you shouldn’t eat it raw, in order for it to be safe for consumption it has to be processed, which some people may argue takes away part of its nutrients but a point that contradicts this theory is people who are trying to loose weight use the processed berry as a means of helping as it has no side effects. However it could be argued that as you are on a strict diet and exercise regime anyway that this food is technically not doing anything.
As I mentioned above, one of the health benefits revolves around better digestion. As we know poor blood circulation can cause problems such as bad eye sight, heart problems and of course digestion concerns. So in order to improve digestion you need to improve your blood circulation and the Acai berry is considered to do exactly this.
It has been proven that this particular food contains properties such as amino acids and vitamins. For this reason research has been conducted to discover the effects that these would have on us. This research looked into how these properties can aid in muscle contraction as well as regeneration. It is factors such as these that would be able to slow down damaging effects to the skin that can be the cause of aging, thus demonstrating that is has the potential to prevent the aging process.
One of the last health benefits that I have came across that are associated with the Acai berry is the concept that it could lower cholesterol. The reason that this has been suggested is down to the fact they contain large amounts of protein and fiber but even more importantly they contain omega-6, which lowers cholesterol levels, and omega-9 fatty acids, which lower LDL cholesterol levels and maintain natural HDL cholesterol levels. Even so if you aren’t eating correctly and taking a form of exercise this could have the potential to become irrelevant. You have to be taking care of yourself to some degree for the properties found within this fruit to do any good.
Combining the Acai berry with sensible eating and moderate exercise has the potential of improving your health dramatically. Just make sure that if you are considering taking this fruit in some form that you look into how it can benefit you the best and you use it in the correct dose, otherwise you are risking yourself rather than helping yourself.