Acai palm trees grow in the rain forests of South America. Acai berries can be eaten fresh or in juice form and are sometimes found in weight loss supplement products. Talk to your doctor before taking any supplements containing acai berry to ensure the product is safe for you.
Antioxidant
Every day your body is exposed to damaging free radicals. Free radicals are molecules found in the environment that come from smoke and radiation. The body also creates free radicals when it breaks down food. These molecules can damage cells and may be part of what causes cancer and heart disease. Free radicals also contribute to the aging process. Antioxidants are a defense against the damage of free radicals. Katherine Zeratsky, R.D. L.D. from the Mayo Clinic confirms that acai berry fruits contain antioxidant factors. By adding acai berry to your diet, you can increase your intake of antioxidants and help prevent cell damage.
Dietary Fiber
Dietary fiber is a common element in most fresh fruits, including acai berry. Dietary fiber helps improve the digestive system by adding bulk to the intestinal track. As this bulk moves through the intestines, it works as a broom to sweep out debris. Fiber also helps you feel full. Soluble fiber, available in acai fruit, helps lower blood sugar. This benefit is not limited to acai berries. Eating fruit in general will improve your health. Acai berries add another variety to your healthy fruit choices.
Heart-Healthy Fats
In an article for the Mayo Clinic, Zeratsky states that acai berry offers heart-healthy fats. In the world of fats, two forms exist. Bad fats, such as saturated or trans fat, increase your risk of developing a disease. The good fats found in acai fruit work to lower risk of illnesses, such as heart disease. Adding more heart-healthy fats to your diet will reduce your blood cholesterol.
Considerations
Distributors of acai berry products make a lot of promises that have yet to be proven by clinical studies. For example, there is no evidence that acai promotes weight loss or combats illnesses such as arthritis. There is little harm in taking acai berry supplements, but any time you consider a new supplement you should talk to your doctor. Some supplements can interfere with prescription medications. Your doctor is the best judge of whether acai fruit will benefit you.
References
- Medline Plus: Acai
- Mayo Clinic; Nutrition and Healthy Eating; Acai berry products: Do They Have Health Benefits?
- Medical News Today: Brazilian Acai Berry Antioxidants Absorbed By Human Body
- Harvard School of Public Health: The Nutrition Source: Fats and Cholesterol: Out with the Bad, In with the Good
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