Acai Benefits

Acai berries flourish throughout the Amazon Region in South America, growing on tall, thin palm trees. For hundreds of years, natives have eaten the dark purple berries for the bold, pleasant taste and the noticeable energy-boosting benefits.

Within the last decade, acai berries have rapidly gained recognition and praise for their complex nutritional makeup, along with rich, berry flavour with notes of chocolate. The exotic acai berry has even received credit for instilling health and vitality in the Amazon dwellers.

Acai berries have countless nutritional and health value, but here are some of the most astounding, significant acai benefits:

Healthy Ageing
Dwellers of the Amazon are believed to have often incorporated acai berries in their daily diet, which may have played a role in the healthy, graceful ageing of the Amazon natives. Antioxidants may be the reason for acai’s affect on healthy ageing. Antioxidants help bodies protect themselves from free radicals that occur through pollution and environmental factors, and antioxidants may help prevent premature ageing.

Brazilian acai berries are believed to have more antioxidants than nearly every other berry. Also filled with fatty acids and essential vitamins, acai benefits cells and tissues throughout the body with the nutrients needed for optimal health and normal, healthy ageing.

Energy
Acai has been historically known to provide energy boosts to Amazon men and women. Today, acai berries and extracts are staples in the realm of energy-enhancing supplements. Acai offers a complex, natural boost of energy without the use of stimulants.

The healthy fats in the acai berry are an ultimate, slow-release source of energy for our bodies. Fatty acids, along with 19 different amino acids, give acai berries the fuel that helps our bodies operate. Since nearly all of our body parts require amino acids, acai berries ensure that no cell is left unnourished—resulting in better overall energy levels.

Cellular Health
Upon hearing anything about acai berries, you’re likely to hear a thing or two about antioxidants. This is because acai has quickly become known and cherished for its rich makeup of powerful antioxidants. Containing flavonoids and procyanidins, two beneficial antioxidant compounds, Brazilian acai berries work to protect our bodies from free radicals that can cause damage to the cells.

As we go through day-to-day living, we are constantly exposed to free radicals and toxins such as, cigarette smoke, pollution, UV rays and more. This kind of exposure is difficult to avoid, however, antioxidants help protect our cells from these harmful elements—leaving us less susceptible to ailments that stem from free radical damage.

Heart Health
Acai berries are unique because they contain rich, healthy fats including, omega-3 and 6, and oleic acid. Many fruits and berries do not have the same beneficial fats that acai berries have. These fats, along with fiber and antioxidants, make acai berries extremely heart healthy.

One study found that acai helped to increase participants HDL-cholesterol (the good kind) and reduce the LDL-cholesterol (the bad kind). The same study found improved glucose levels in participants after consuming for 30 days. [1]

Adding a handful of acai berries or taking an acai supplement may be a step toward achieving a healthy, nourished heart.

Weight Management
Acai berries contain a large amount of protein. In fact, a full serving of acai has more protein than a boiled egg. And in addition to large amounts of protein, acai also contains muscle-building amino acids and digestive-supporting fiber. Acai’s makeup of nutrients not only taste great and leave you feeling satisfied, but the berries are also supportive of muscle maintenance and growth—which are aspects correlated to normal weight management.

Despite acai’s dense nutritional profile, the exotic berry is relatively low in calories. So adding some acai berries to your smoothie will provide a whole lot of good-for-you nutrients without adding a whole lot of calories.

Skin
For centuries, South American natives have eaten acai berries and reaped the mighty skin benefits. Acai has an impressive ORAC score (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity), meaning that acai holds an impressive antioxidant capacity—more antioxidant power than most other berries. These antioxidants help protect the skin cells from oxidative damage, which can prematurely age skin cells.

Acai’s fatty acids, vitamin C, and makeup of amino acids and proteins also nourish skin from the inside out. Proteins and amino acids are essential nutrients for healthy skin cell renewal and pigment, while vitamin C supports skin’s healthy elasticity. You can gain these powerful skin-enhancing benefits through an acai supplement or a pure acai berry.

Athletic Performance
During strenuous exercise, unstable molecules from increased aerobic metabolism—oxygen radicals—can damage the body’s proteins and DNA membranes. [2] Supplementing with a protein-packed, antioxidant-rich supplement or food is key to protecting the body from being broken down by oxygen radicals.

Pure acai is an effective way to nourish the body before and after intense exercise. Not only do acai supplements provide the body with antioxidants to combat breakdown, but acai also provides muscles with the protein and amino acids required for normal growth and maintenance.

Digestion
Having natural detoxifying properties and packed with fiber, acai berries effectively nourish the digestive system. Fiber promotes healthy, regular digestion and consistent consumption of fiber helps ensure not only healthy digestion, but also normal energy levels and weight management.

Pure acai supplements or berries also promote the normal cleansing and digestion of toxins and bacteria that build up in our digestive system. This promotes optimal functioning digestive track and overall vitality.

References:
1.Jay K Udani, B. B. (2011). Effects of Acai (Euterpe olerace Mart.) berry preparation on metabolic parameters in healthy overweight population: A pilot study. Nutrition Journal , 1-7.

2. Williams, D. J. (2013, November 22). Antioxidant Supplements: Do They Improve Athletic Performance? Retrieved April 17, 2015, from National Soccer Coaches Association of America