Acai Berry Pros

The açaí berry is a small, round, black-purple fruit similar in appearance to a blueberry. It grows in branched particles (500 to 900 fruits) on açaí palm trees in Brazil, Belize and Peru. Since the 1990s, açaí juice, freeze-dried açaí and extracts are have been marketed globally for use in juice blends, smoothies and other beverages, and as a dietary supplement. The açaí berry is high in nutirents important for optimal health.

A Fiber-Rich Food Source

Açaí berries must be harvested carefully because they are highly perishable and their nutritious properties are only active for 24 hours. In the United States, the largest market is for freeze-dried açaí berry pulp, juice or dietary supplements. A 50 g serving of powdered, freeze-dried açaí fruit pulp and skin is rich in energizing carbohydrates, offering about 26 g dietary fiber, which is nearly 100 percent of the Recommended Daily Value (DV). Fiber, or roughage, comes from plant foods and is essential for a healthy digestive system and helps lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Foods rich in dietary fiber enhance satiety and help keep you feeling fuller longer, which assists in weight control.

Beneficial Nutrients

Açaí berry powder is particularly rich in calcium and vitamin A. Calcium is an important bone-building mineral that helps regulate blood pressure and vitamin A is important for growth and development as well as healthy eyesight.
A 50 g seving of freeze-dried açaí berry pulp offers 16g of fat, mostly heart-healthy monounsaturated fat (similar to that of another fruit, the avocado). According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), you should control your fat intake, but the fat you choose should be from foods rich in mono and polyunsaturated fats for optimum health.
In addition, the açaí berry powder is protein-rich. Protein is essential for building body cells, tissues and muscles.

Healthy Phytochemicals

The açaí fruit has been found to offer the highest phytochemical content of of any fruit or vegetable. Phytochemicals are plant compounds that offer disease-fighting properties and may benefit health in other ways. Powdered, freeze-dried açaí fruit pulp and skin is rich in two classes of phytochemcials: anthocyanins and phenolics. These phytochemicals are found in many red and blue/purple fruits and vegetables, such as other berries and beets. Anthocyanins help maintain a healthy circulatory system, ensure proper nerve function and may offer anti-cancer benefits. Phenolics offer similar benefits and can be found in other foods like grapes and red wine. According to the National Cancer Institute, phenolics help protect body cells from damage causes by free radicals (from such sources as pollution, tobacco and other toxins).