Acai Berry:
Why Is It Considered as the World’s Number 1 Superfood?
Back in the 1990s, a lot of people had only heard about blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, cranberries and raspberries as part of the ‘berry family’. But the unfamiliar-sounding Acai berry, pronounced (ah-sigh-ee), made a splash in the market when it was features in popular television shows and health magazines.
Acai berry was then dubbed as the world’s number one superfood, the most potent antioxidant and nature’s gift to man. Here, we will delve a bit deeper into why Acai berries garnered a reputation of being the number one superfood in the world.
What Exactly is a “Superfood”?
First, let us have a quick definition of what a superfood exactly is. Generally, something that is considered a superfood like the Acai berry has high phytonutrient content. As a result, it will bring about a multitude of health benefits.
Let’s take a cousin of the Acai berries as an example. Blueberries are considered to be a superfood because it is a potent source of antioxidants. These tasty little berries also have anthocyanins, manganese, a healthy dosage of dietary fibers and vitamin C. Although being a superfood is not yet a technical or legal term, which is used by professional nutritionists, the mere fact that a food item has such a high percentage of nutrients deserve them to be dubbed as such.
Some of the superfoods which may just be lurking in your kitchen table include raw cocoa powder, as well as fruits like blueberries, cranberries, pink grapefruit, red grapes, mangoes, mangosteen, papaya, pomegranate, wolfberries, tomatoes, watermelons and very soon, Acai berries. Green, leafy veggies and other food items are also considered superfoods, including flax seeds, soybeans, quinoa, garlic and honey.
Why Acai Berry is described as a Potent Antioxidant
Research shows that Acai berries have ten times the antioxidant content of grapes, twice the antioxidant content of blueberries and about 30 times the anthocyanin content of red wine. These facts alone are enough for the Acai berry to be dubbed as a superfood. However, its nutritional content is more than that.
Those who regularly consume Acai berry based products can take advantage of its monounsaturated fat content. It also has dietary fibers and phytosterols. What’s even more amazing is that as small as they are, Acai berries are an almost perfect source of amino acid complex.
Aside from these, Acai berries also contain:
- Aspatic Acid
- Heta-sitosterol
- Calories
- Calcium
- Carbohydrates
- Fat
- Glutamic Acid
- Fiber
- Iron
- Omega 6 or Linoleic Acid
- Omega 9 or Oleic Acid
- Protein
- Phosporus
- Potassium
- Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and E
A Host of Health Benefits from Acai Berries
Now that you already have an idea about the nutritional content of Acai berries, let us now delve a bit deeper into the benefits that it will bring about to your health:
Anti-ageing benefits.
Those who are always looking for a real ‘fountain of youth’ will be glad to know that you can consider Acai berries to be just that. Acai berries have potent antioxidants which actually combat premature ageing. It does so by fighting off the oxidation process, which is the culprit for those wrinkles and fine lines that most women want to get rid of.
Anti-inflammatory benefits.
How can one tiny fruit have so many health benefits? Acai berries are also known to ward off cancer. In the same vein, Acai berries are known to have anti-inflammatory benefits that promote speedier healing.
Benefits to your cardiovascular system.
If you have chronic heart disease and you’re tired of having an oatmeal diet, it would be a great idea to intersperse it with Acai berries. The reason why Acai berries are good for your cardiovascular health is because they are rich in dietary fibers and beta-sitosterol. This helps lower your blood cholesterol level.
In addition, the Omega fatty acids content of Acai berries which come in the form of Linoleic acid and Oleic acid help lower the bad cholesterol while maintaining a healthy level of good cholesterol at the same time.
Weight loss benefits.
Did you know that Acai berries could also be a primary ingredient in your weight loss program? These exotic berries are rich in fiber so eating them will make you fuller, faster. Acai berries also play a big role in flushing out the harmful toxins in your body to give your weight loss program a boost.
Immune system benefits.
Acai berries boost the immune system, making them an ideal solution for disease treatment and prevention. They have ingredients, which help ward off infections, virus and bacteria. Overall health improvement and increased longevity are the other benefits that you will get to enjoy from Acai berries.
A Final Word about Acai Berries being the World’s Number 1 Superfood
Physically, Acai berries are similar in size to blueberries but have a more grape-like structure. A lot of people love the hint of chocolate taste when consuming Acai berries, and the fact that it is hailed as the world’s number one superfood is not so bad, either!
When you visit health stores, you may stumble upon Acai berry fruit pulps, but you may have to pay a premium price for them. Remember that these potent antioxidant berries are sourced all the way from the Amazonian forests.
Another thing that you need to remember when buying Acai berry-based products is that if you want to enjoy the full spectrum of benefits that the fruit provides, you need to consume it at its purest level. As such, you need to make that when you buy products like Acai berry juice, powder, pills or health supplements, see to it that they are made from 100% Acai berry concentrate.
Those who want to enjoy fruits with a hint of chocolate in the taste, as well as a flooding of that refreshing natural sweetness in your mouth can definitely do so – minus the guilt, plus all the health benefits!