Acai Fruit and Acai Berry Juice Health Benefits

The acai berry (Euterpe oleracea) is a fruit originating in the Amazon region, consumed by local indigenous people for centuries and introduced in the national Brazilian diet during the eighties and nineties.

Its growing success is due to its huge, complete and rich health benefits, including, among others, the cardiovascular system, muscular and even acting as an anti-carcinogen and natural energetic.

In Brazil, it is generally consumed in the form of Acai in the Bowl, that is, its pulp mixed with “guarana” syrup, which further enhances its healthy contributions and energy, forming a paste similar to an ice cream.

It is an important food in a healthy diet, much appreciated by athletes and people with active lives in general, since the stimulating properties present in the fruit are much healthier than those found in other energy supplements, and also helps in eliminating residues from the body.

The acai berry has become popular too in the United States with major presence in the media, especially in nationwide programs such as Oprah Winfrey Show.

In this program, in particular, it was presented again and again as a Super Anti-Oxidant that helps fight premature aging, promoting among other things muscle regeneration, cardio vascular and digestive health.

The acai berry is first in the famous list of super foods from the well-known Dr. Perricone.

Health benefits of the Acai berry

The acai berry is a fruit rich in protein, fiber, lipids, and an excellent source of vitamins: Vitamin C, Vitamin B1 and Vitamin B2. The acai also has a good amount of phosphorus, iron and calcium.

So let's check out the health benefits of the acai fruit:

Cancer Prevention: the acai berry contains anthocyanins, a type of antioxidant that plays an important role in cancer prevention. Anthocyanins are present in all the berries (they are responsible for the black, red and purple colors of acai) Studies have shown that they can have a preventive and significant effect on cancer.

According to a survey, the acai extracts were able to stimulate the destruction of up to 86% of tested leukemia cells.

The professor of the Institute of Food Science and Agricultural University of Florida, Stephen Talcott, believes that the acai fruit is considered one of the richest sources of antioxidants.

The study was published in the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry".

Reduction of cholesterol: a study published in Nutrition Magazine found that mice fed with high fat diets, along with acai pulp had lower LDL cholesterol ("bad cholesterol") than mice that were fed with high fat diets without acai pulp. The anthocyanins in acai can also help reduce cholesterol levels.

Heart Health: a study published in June 2011 in the journal Atherosclerosis found that acai juice protects against atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The cholesterol-lowering benefits mentioned above also contribute to the role of acai in maintaining a healthy heart.

Rich in antioxidants: in studies conducted over the purple acai berry were found high levels of antioxidant activity. Antioxidants are beneficial because they fight against free radicals, thus there is a big drop in cancer rates, heart disease and stroke.

Immunological system: the antioxidants in the acai fruit, including high levels of vitamin C, can help boost the immune system.

Anti-Inflammatory agent: There have been some promising results in studies showing that acai can help the symptoms of diseases caused by chronic inflammation, such as asthma and autoimmune diseases. One study showed that acai can be a COX-1 and COX-2 natural inhibitor, which means that it can help to inhibit pain and inflammation without the COX-1 and COX-2 prescription and side effects.

Preventing aging: the antioxidants in the acai berry can help reduce the effects of aging. Flavonoids and anthocyanins protect and can reduce the degeneration of cells within the body, helping to maintain a healthy and younger body.

Weight loss: Companies that sell acai often claim that it speeds up the metabolism. Although contains amino acids believed to be essential for a healthy metabolism, there is still very little scientific evidence to prove that eating acai berry helps in weight loss. That said, acai berries are rich in fiber and low in calories and any food with these qualities when eaten in place of calorie-laden snacks, will help any person maintain a healthy weight.

It can be purchased in the form of fruit, pulp or food supplement in some supermarkets and health food stores, being as we have seen a great energy source.

Because it is a fruit of a palm tree that only grows in the Amazon forest, you may have difficulty finding the fruit for sale near you. But this fruit is easily found in the form of powder which can be used in smoothies. Acai can also be used to make jams, jellies and ice cream, for example.

Why not buy it through the internet and try out? It can be purchased online at Amazon (safely and with the guarantee of quality of this great company).