Acai, from the Brazilian Amazon, is one of the most popular food supplements available. Acai is a fruit from palm-like trees. The berries are roughly the size of a grape and taste bittersweet, like berries and dark chocolate.
Nutrition Information
Brazilian people have used Acai as a source of food for centuries. Acai is called a superfood because it's a nutrient-dense source of antioxidants, amino acids, healthy fats and fiber. Very few fruits contain as many healthy omega fats as Acai. The berries contain oleic acid, an omega-9 fat similar to what is found in olive oil. It also contains lineolic acid, or omega-6. The fiber-to-sugar ratio is health-promoting, explaining the bittersweet taste. Acai contains 15 to 20 times the antioxidants of red grapes. The ORAC, or oxygen radical absorbance capacity, is the ability of a food to neutralize damaging free radicals in the body that cause aging and disease. Acai's ORAC is higher than cranberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, cherries and even oranges.
Benefits of Use
Superfruits such as Acai have many benefits on various systems of the body. Anthocyanins, the antioxidant found in Acai, are known to improve vision, decrease aging symptoms, improve immune health and revitalize enzymes, friendly bacteria, proteins, cells, organs and other tissues of the body. Acai can help prevent heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Many also claim higher energy levels, better stamina and increased sex drive. The omega fats, fiber and beta sitosterol may help to lower cholesterol and improve heart health. The University of Florida even links Acai to decreased risk of leukemia, based on recent research.
Weight Loss Miracle or Diet Fad
Is Acai the miracle weight loss supplement we have all been waiting for? Yes and no. There is no guarantee that body fat will drop by popping a few Acai pills a day. Weight, or more appropriately, fat loss requires a caloric deficit combined with regular exercise. No fruit or pill will ever replace diet and exercise. However, nutrient-dense foods such as Acai have a lot of fiber, which can make us feel more full and less hungry. The fiber and omega fats in Acai help to stabilize blood sugar, which prevents excess body fat storage. As an added bonus, the amino acids and antioxidants should provide an energy boost for burning more calories. Any food that is high in antioxidants helps to detoxify every cell in the body. When cells function optimally, without toxins, fat burning can be accelerated.
Purity
The natural supplement market has been flooded with new Acai products. Many companies offer watered-down products that promise the world but deliver nothing. Some contain over 50 percent filler. Free trial scams on the Internet are prevalent. Avoid scam artists by buying your Acai at a health food store or retailer, so that you know exactly what you're getting. Be sure to get quality, pure, organic Acai. Look for a USDA organic label, which certifies that the Acai product is consistent with high standards of quality. Make sure that the product is chemical- and preservative-free, with no sugar added. Added sugar can cause inflammation, which compromises the benefits of the Acai. Buy only unclarified, unfiltered Acai juices in glass bottles with an ORAC value of 3000 per serving. If you're unsure about the legitimacy of the company, check with the Better Business Bureau. Many Acai products are available at health food retailers, such as the Vitamin Shoppe.
Popular Products
There are many quality Acai products. Acai berries are bitter, so many companies add other juices to sweeten their products. Although this is not inherently bad, it's important to make sure that you get some Acai in there, too. Dyanmic Health makes Acai Juice Plus and Acai Gold. Acai Juice Plus is a blend of Acai, pomegranate, blueberry and raspberry juices. Acai Gold is pure organic, certified Acai. Nature's Answer offers Acai Supreme, with added mangosteen, red coffee fruit, grape seed extract, goji, pomegranate and blueberry. This formula does have agave nectar and stevia added, but they don't negate the healthful benefits of the product. Another popular juice blend is Fruitology's Fruit a Vie. High-quality Acai products are also available in capsule or powder form from Nature's Way, Windmill Consumer Products, Nature's Plus, Trace Minerals Research and Sambazon.
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