Acai:
A nutritional Superfood from Brazil
One of the most nutritious foods in the
world
A powerful source of antioxidants to combat
premature ageing
Helps promote cardiovascular and digestive
health
Promotes weight loss
Rainforest Organic grown
What is Acai?
The Acai berry grows on palm trees in the
Amazon Rainforest. The berry resembles a
giant, purple, blueberry. Despite its many
benefits, you cannot eat the acai berry
directly as it tastes earthy.
The berries
must be harvested fresh and processed into a
pulp. In Brazil, Acai has exploded into the
mainstream, spreading rapidly throughout the
country.
How does Acai work?
Acai is called a superfood for many reasons,
the berry naturally contains huge amounts of
Antioxidants, Vitamin B1, B2, B3, Vitamin E,
Vitamin C, Phosphorus, Calcium, Potassium,
Fibre, Proteins, as well as good fatty
acids.
Acai has two essential fatty acids known as
Omega 6 (Linoleic acid) and Omega 9 (Oleic
acid). Research shows that Omega 6 helps
lower LDL, which is the cholesterol that
harms your body, while Omega 9 fatty acids
lower LDL and maintain HDL (good
cholesterol) levels.
Acai's high levels of
antioxidants also play a factor in
maintenance of vascular cardiac system,
which is important for better blood
circulation.
The dark purplish colour of the berry is due
to the polyphenolic compounds present in the
berry. One of the main compounds being
researched is called anthocyanin.
Anthocyanins are a group of Flavonoids
widely distributed in plants and that give a
reddish or purplish colour to fruits such as
blackberries, grapes, and raspberries. The
more research that is done on anthocyanins,
the more benefits are found.
Why take Acai?
Weight Loss: The Acai berry
helps increase the body’s metabolism rate
and helps you get rid of extra pounds by
burning fat, thanks to its high content in
fatty acids Omega-3 and Omega-6, which are
not produced by the body.
Moreover, the Acai
berry has the ability to control appetite
thanks to its high fibre content, which
satiates hunger.
It also helps in the proper
movement of food in the digestive tract.
This actually helps eliminate excess food in
the body, instead of converting it to fat.
Inflammation: Anthocyanins help
neutralize enzymes that destroy connective
tissue. Their antioxidant capacity prevents
free radicals from damaging connective
tissues and may help repair damaged proteins
in the blood-vessel walls.
Nervous System: By preventing
tyrosine nitration, the Anthocyanin
properties in Acai may help protect against
neurological diseases.
Arteriosclerosis: Anthocyanins
protect the integrity of the endothelial
cells that line blood vessel walls and help
to maintain micro capillary integrity.
Eye Health: The Acai berry's
anthocyanins may also help improve eyesight
by numerous mechanisms. A recent Japanese
study found that people taking 50mg of
anthocyanins adapted better to the dark and
had less eye fatigue than those in the
placebo group. |