The Acai berry, pronounced a-sigh-ee, used to be a well-kept secret of the Amazon jungles and is believed to be the key to treating many common ailments and diseases, but now it has become a widely known superfood!
The Acai berry grows wild on top of many palm trees that are native to the rainforests of Brazil and the Amazon basin.
It is deep purple in color and is quite rich in several important nutrients, including many of the most valuable antioxidant vitamins.
ENERGY, HEART HEALTH: The Acai berry gives you a nice energy boost. It is also believed to have a significant impact on heart health and the health of the cardiovascular system. In particular, it contains a very high concentration of compounds known as anthocyanins.
Anthocyanins are powerful antioxidants that stop damaging free radicals and help protect cells.
These compounds are the same ones believed to be responsible for giving red wine its widely reported health benefits. However, the Acai berry has almost 30 times more anthocyanins than red wine.
LOWER CHOLESTEROL LEVELS: In addition to these anthocyanins, Acai berries are known to contain large amounts of protein and fiber, as well as omega-6, which lowers cholesterol levels, and omega-9 fatty acids, which lower LDL cholesterol levels and maintain cholesterol levels. Natural HDL Cholesterol.
These omega fatty acids have been studied for years as a way to protect the heart from damage and lower the amount of cholesterol in the blood, thus providing possible protection against heart attacks, strokes, and other common cardiovascular complications.
ANTI AGING: However, perhaps the most important health benefit is its strong impact on the aging process. In fact, the Acai berry is generally recognized as one of the best anti-aging superfoods.
Vital amino acids and trace minerals found in the Acai berry aid in proper muscle contraction and regeneration, slowing down the damaging effects on the skin that cause signs of aging.
The fatty acid found in Acai is similar to that of olive oil and is high in monounsaturated oleic acid. This fatty acid combined with Omega 3 fish oils penetrates cell membranes and makes them more flexible. This allows hormones, neurotransmitters, and insulin receptors to work more efficiently, which greatly reduces inflammation, with inflammation being one of the main causes of aging.
HIGH IN ANTIOXIDANTS, DESTROYS CANCER CELLS: Acai’s antioxidant benefits, combined with the fatty acids it contains, make it one of the top superfoods on the market.
These antioxidants destroy cancer cells. A study conducted by the University of Florida and published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in January 2006 conducted research showing that the antioxidants in Acai triggered a self-destruct response in 86% of cultured leukemia cancer cells tested. .
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Acai can be bought whole and eaten as part of a healthy diet, but it is most often found in juice form. It is available both in health food stores and many Internet retailers. As with other types of natural health foods, it’s important to make sure you’re buying 100% pure organic Acai that contains no artificial ingredients or added sugar.
Also, beware of Acai products that promote weight loss benefits because, to my knowledge, there is no accepted medical research available to support those claims.
There are many Acai products on the market today, but they are not the same. When choosing between produce, it’s important to choose only the highest quality and look for produce that has been quick-frozen after harvest. The way the berries are handled after harvest can have a significant impact on their health benefits, so it’s important to buy your Acai from those who use the best manufacturing methods.
The best method to preserve all the nutrients of the Acai is to freeze-dry it, this way you get all the nutrients available in this mighty little fruit.
For such a tiny fruit, the Acai berry appears to have many heart-healthy benefits, and the secret that has been a part of Amazonian culture for thousands of years has now spread to the rest of the world. It is a rich source of antioxidant vitamins, protein, fiber, and heart-protective fatty acids, and has an important role to play in protecting your good health.