Acai juice comes from the nutritious South American acai berries, which are high in antioxidants, healthy fats, amino acids and fiber. These attributes account for the health and weight loss benefits of acai juice. Healthy weight loss requires decreasing caloric intake while simultaneously increasing physical activity. Acai juice will most likely not cause weight loss on its own, however it can be used as a diet aid for its antioxidant, energy and hunger suppressant properties.
Step 1
Buy a quality acai juice product from a health retail store. Good acai juice products contain no added sugars. Acai is naturally bitter and many companies add sugar to make it more palatable. Some acai juice is blended with blueberry, pomegranate, and/or raspberry juices for the same effect. Look for a product with an oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of 3,000.
Step 2
Follow a workout plan that includes at least 30 minutes of resistance training three days per week. "The Abs Diet" book by David Zinczenko and "The Fat Burning Bible" by Mackie Shilstone both have basic resistance training workouts that are accessible, for even beginners. More advances programs like Xtreme Lean by Steve Holman and Jonathan Lawson are also available (see Resources). Take your acai juice before your workouts to enhance energy and stamina.
Step 3
Perform at least three sessions of cardiovascular exercise per week for a duration of 30 minutes. Cardio training is cumulative, so 15 minutes here and 30 minutes there can really add up. You can walk on the treadmill at the gym, take a jog through your neighborhood or participate in recreational sports. Besides the energy effect, acai may also contribute to fat-burning.
Step 4
Eat five to seven smaller meals throughout the day. Think of this meal plan as three main meals with two or three snacks added in between. Add acai juice to one of your snacks. This method of eating keeps metabolism going strong, limits secretion of the stress hormone cortisol and promotes healthier blood sugar levels for less body fat storage.
Step 5
Drink a full glass of water with each of your five to seven meals. Sip water while exercising to prevent dehydration. Drinking a lot of water helps maintain healthy metabolism and prevents excess water-storage, bloating and/or edema. Add 2 tbsp. of acai juice to sparkling water as a healthy alternative to soft drinks.
Step 6
Take one day off a week from all exercise activity. On this day you can enjoy a "cheat meal," where you are free to eat anything you want. For a tasty dessert option, drizzle a little acai juice and hot fudge over vanilla ice cream.
References
- LifeExtension: The Disease-Fighting Power of Berries
- "The Abs Diet;" David Zinczenko; 2004
- "The Fat Burning Bible;" Mackie Shilstone; 2005
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