You have no doubt heard about the acai berry and its healthy properties, but what are the acai nutritional benefits that have made it so popular recently? Reading over the potential benefits of the acai berry is like reading a laundry list of different health foods and supplements. It’s hard to imagine that one little berry could possibly be so incredibly beneficial. But the facts don’t lie and when you break down what the acai berry contains, it’s almost mind-boggling.
The Ever-Important Antioxidant
Almost everyone has had the terms antioxidants and free radical before. But not everyone is completely aware of what these are and how they are important. First, you must abandon the idea that free radicals are evil. Free radicals are naturally occurring atoms which are missing an electron from the standard pair. They are useful for many essential purposes including combating invasive bacteria. However, many of our unhealthy routines in life can increase the occurrence of free radicals in our system. This increase can lead to numerous problems such as certain cancers and mental health issues like Alzheimer’s. Antioxidants provide the other electron for the pair and reduce the amount of free radicals in your system.
What makes acai berry really stand out is its antioxidant content which measures far above all other fruits. The ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) is a system which scores a type of food on its antioxidant level — the higher the number, the greater the antioxidant content. For instance, the avocado only measures 19 on the ORAC and yet is known to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. With a 94 ORAC score, Cranberries have long been called super fruit. Acai berry on the other hand, scores an amazing 610 ORAC count. Now let’s see other fruits even come close to that.
There is Still More to the Acai Berry
The acai is not touted as a super food for nothing. True, its antioxidant content is just unbelievable but it doesn’t stop there. Acai contains a component called anthocyanins, the same substance found in red wine, which is effective in fighting coronary heart disease. A decent amount of unsaturated fats can also be found in acai berry. These unsaturated or “good” fats, produce essential fatty acids like Omega-6 which are needed in the body. Acai berry is also a good source of fiber, which is an energy booster.
Is the Acai Berry Deserving of the Title of Super Fruit?
If the acai berry doesn’t constitute a super fruit, what does? It contains many of the healthy properties of other fruits, in addition to astronomical levels of antioxidants. While you will likely never get to have a fresh acai berry, unless you visit Brazil, you can get all the nutrition from pure acai supplements. If you obtain a high quality supplement, you can experience the benefits of acai for yourself. The acai berry is one of the most beneficial foods you can eat, the acai nutrition facts don’t lie.
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