Nutrition Of The Acai Diet

Native to the Amazon, acai is a fruit similar to a blueberry and has been used for centuries to enhance health and vitality. Fresh acai berries do not transport easily, so acai is usually marketed in the United States as a health food supplement in a freeze-dried, fruit drink or smoothie form. Acai berries have many nutritional benefits and, when taken in combination with a healthy diet, may help with a successful weight-loss program.

Calorie Content

The nutritional components of commercial acai berry supplements vary by brand. A 100 percent organic acai berry in juice form contains 150 calories per 8-ounce serving. The juice contains 1 g of saturated fat, according to My Fitness Pal. An organic acai berry puree, used to make smoothies, contains 75 calories per 100-gram pack. Of the total 6 g of fat content, 2 g are saturated fat. Acai berries contain no cholesterol.

Carbohydrate Content

Organic acai berry juice provides 31 g of carbohydrates. The sugar content is 25 g per 8-ounce serving. Unsweetened acai berry puree smoothie mix provides 4 g of carbohydrates with 2 g of sugar per 100-gram serving pack. Acai berry juice and acai puree contain 1 g of fiber per serving; freeze dried acai berry powder has 14 g per 100 g.

Vitamins and Minerals

Acai berries contain vitamins B1, B2, B3 and E and the same amount of vitamin C as blueberries, according to FitDay. Acai berries provide calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper and zinc. Acai berry organic juice contains 6 percent DV, or daily value, for vitamin C, 10 percent DV for vitamin A and 2 percent DV for calcium and iron. One serving of organic acai berry puree contains 8 percent DV for vitamin C, 15 percent DV for vitamin A, 4 percent DV for calcium and 6 percent daily value for iron, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. The sodium content --10 g -- and the protein content -- 1 g -- is the same in both juice and pureed. Freeze-dried acai powder has 8 g of protein per 100 g, consisting of 19 different amino acids, which are important for cellular structure and repair.

Fatty Acids

Although fresh acai berries are high in fat, nearly 75 percent are healthy omega-3, 6 and 9 fats, vital to the cardiovascular system and for proper functioning of the brain. A 2006 study by Natural and Medicinal Products Research in Puyallup, Washington, analyzed freeze-dried acai berries. The findings, published in the "Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry," showed substantial quantities of flavonoids and low concentrations of resveratrol. In addition, nutrients such as omega fatty acids, minerals, amino acids and sterols were also identified. Oleic and palmitic acid were the two dominant fatty acids. Nineteen amino acids represented 7.6 percent of the total weight. Of the total fat content, polyunsaturated fatty acid was 11 percent, 60 percent was monounsaturated fatty acid and 28.7 percent was saturated fat.

Antioxidants

Acai berries are rich in antioxidant vitamins, which may have anti-aging effects, among other health benefits. A 2006 study by Natural and Medicinal Products Research in Puyallup, Washington, found freeze-dried acai fruit pulp and skin powder had exceptional antioxidant properties -- the highest of any food reported to date. Effective against the peroxyl radical, the antioxidants successfully function in human cells, even at low doses. Studies suggested that acai may contain anti-inflammation and enhanced immune function capabilities, as published in the "Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry."