Several herbal drinks contain acai berries and pomegranate, and are being touted as the greatest breakthrough in antioxidant history. Besides the marketing hype, the acai berry actually is very high in antioxidants, reports the Herb Research Foundation, although the fruit with the highest content of polyphenols, a type of antioxidant, is pomegranate. Combined, the two fruits can indeed provide a number of health benefits.
Sources
The pomegranate is a popular fruit originating from the Middle East and the Mediterranean areas of Europe. It is grown in the United States primarily in the drier regions such as Arizona and California. The acai berry is more difficult to grow and comes from areas around the Amazon River in Brazil. Most tropical acai berries are imported from Brazil.
Significance
Supplement marketers and complimentary and alternative medicine proponents have labeled acai and pomegranates as "superfruits," report researchers at the Acai Health and Nutrition Resource Center. Superfruits are those fresh foods that hold greater health benefits than other foods, particularly those that are high in antioxidants. Other foods that fall under the category of superfruits include blueberries, guarana, grapes, cranberries and noni.
Benefits
Polyphenols are antioxidants that act as scavengers to reduce the free radicals that are present in the body from the foods people consume and environmental pollutions. Athletes create free radicals when they push their bodies to overload, and therefore require additional antioxidants to eliminate excess free radicals. In the diet, the antioxidants can help to lower "bad" LDL cholesterol levels that lead to coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Features
In addition to its high content of polyphenols, acai and pomegranate are good sources of healthy fatty acids and flavonoids. Essential fatty acids are important ingredients for muscle development and repair. Flavonoids are naturally occurring antioxidants also found in chocolate and red wine. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic report that flavonoids can help improve blood vessel function.
Types
Acai berries and pomegranate primarily are manufactured in cold drinks and juices. They are sold in grocery outlets and convenience stores. Extracts of the superfruits are sold as supplements in the form of pills. Promoters of beauty products, particularly facial creams, use pomegranate and acai fruits as additives to promote the elimination of free radicals on the skin to achieve firmer skin with fewer wrinkles. InsideCosmeceuticals.com reports that the burgeoning field of nutricosmetics utilizes the superfruits as a remedy for healthy skin.
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