Acai berry, grown in the Amazon rain forest in Brazil and in Panama, French Guyana and Trinidad, has been used for hundreds of years. Harvested from the tops of tall palm trees, this tiny purple fruit is packed full of nutrition. Often called a "miracle fruit," and a "super food," acai berry is growing in popularity for its unsurpassed nutritional value and its ability to promote digestion, cardiac health and immune system function, for its anti-aging properties, for treating some forms of cancer and even promoting weight loss.
Omega Fatty Acids
Acai berry contains significant amounts of healthy, polyunsaturated omega fatty acids--omega-3, -6 and -9, which are vital to energy, muscle and strength development and endurance. These fatty acids also are helpful in cardiovascular health, as they work to decrease cholesterol levels for cardiac health. The fatty acids in acai berries often are compared to those found in olive oil that protect against aging and free-radical damage to cells.
Anti-Aging Antioxidants
According to Astrologyzine.com, acai berries are about the size of a blueberry, and are considered to be the No. 1 super food in the world. Acai berry is known for its high-level antioxidants called anthocyanins, strong anti-aging antioxidants with disease-fighting capacity that exceeds that of both blueberries and pomegranates. The anthocyanins in acai berries are called cyanidin-3 glucosides, and are 3.5 times stronger than the antioxidant trolox, the vitamin E found in a glass of red wine.
Rich in Vitamins and Minerals
The vitamins and nutrients found in acai berry pulp include a full panel of vitamin A, B-complex vitamins for neurological wellness, magnesium, copper and zinc and vitamin C for skin protection, healing and promotion of immune system wellness. Potassium and calcium in acai berry also promote cardiac health and muscle strength. The nut of the acai berry is inedible and must be discarded. Also, the white version of this power-packed berry does not share the same nutritional benefits as the darker, plum-colored fruit.
High in Fiber and Polyunsaturated Fats
Aside from offering significant vitamins and minerals, acai berry also provides valuable protein and soluble fiber that helps decrease cholesterol and the risk of developing certain types of cancer. Acai berry is high-fiber, as it contains 14 g of fiber in a 100 g serving of freeze-dried berries. According to a cancer study published on Astrologyzine.com, extracts from acai berries "triggered a self-destruct response in up to 86% of leukemia cells tested." Rich in carbohydrates and protein, 50 percent of this little berry contains polyunsaturated lipids, helpful in treating digestion, weight loss, cardiovascular health and cancer.
Significance
The health value of acai berry has caused much excitement since being harvested from the Brazilian Amazon beginning in the 1990s. Available in juice, pill and powder form, it likely will continue to gain importance as more uses for it are discovered through medical research. Acai berry is a valuable, nutrient-rich food with seemingly endless possibilities in the promotion of health and wellness.
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