Acai Berry Benefits
Friday, December 12th, 2008
There are numerous acai berry benefits that have been proven and from what the experts are saying, probably many more to be discovered. Eating is a part of our daily lives but many of us over look the importance of healthy eating and a healthy diet. Some of the acai berry benefits we will talk about are going to reveal to you the true results of what meeting your daily recommended bodily nutrients can really do for you. So let us go ahead and begin our journey to discovering a healthier lifestyle.
The acai berry has recently been named one of the worlds’ leading Superfoods, with studies bringing in an enormous score on the antioxidant scale. This fruit and the nutrients buried deep inside are of no small size when it comes to a powerful punch of health. A few of the most prominent acai berry benefits discovered are those of the berries natural ability to stimulate the body to reduce and remove harmful toxins from within the body. Extending it a little bit further, we can see there are addition benefits of the acai berry once those harmful toxins are cleared out of the way. The body begins to feel better and because your skin has been receiving a much more potent supply of the necessary daily vitamins and minerals, it starts to look healthier. Some more acai berry benefits that have been known to improve your body and help make you feel healthier is the way it naturally strengthens your immune system from the high level of antioxidants contained within the acai berry. Because of your immune system being reinforced, your body begins to develop a better energy level and that stimulates your metabolism.
With the above acai berry benefits mentioned, there have been additional benefits evolving around the acai berry, some may or may not be direct results of the acai berry. However, as new studies are being performed on the acai berry, doctors, scientist and other health experts are noticing the vast nutritional benefits of the acai berry and highly recommend you add it to your daily diets.
Showing posts with label Acai Berry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Acai Berry. Show all posts
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Acai Juice
Acai Juice
A Potent Natural Whole Food Nutritional Supplement and Food,
Acai (pronounced AH-sci-EE) Berry is really a wonderful, powerful plant. Acai grows in the Amazon region in Brazil and has been used for thousands of years by the indigenous people of the Brazilian Rainforest and other bordering South American Countries. It has prized by Brazilian natives for its ability to provide energy and a high nutritional content and increase strength. It was traditionally grinded to a pulp and eaten for breakfast or perhaps as an energizing snack later in the day.
Acai Has Twice the Antioxidants of Blueberries
The Acai Berry has twice the level of antioxidants of blueberries and very high levels of omega fatty acids. It is also high in proteins and is a complete source of amino acids, including the essential fatty acids that our body is unable to manufacture. It is also a healthy source of fiber and can hence help maintain a healthy digestive system. In addition, it contains phytosterols, which are compounds of plant membranes that can provide many benefits.
Acai has a taste that is described by some as a mix between chocolate and berries. It is deep purple in color and very rich in the class of antioxidants known as anthocyanins. These, like other antioxidants, fight free-radicals and help to combat premature aging and even help prevent serious diseases caused or exacerbated by free radical damage like heart disease and cancer.
Other Benefits of Acai Juice as Nutritional Supplement
Supports healthy energy and stamina levels and resistance to fatigue*
Supports healthy libido*
Supports liver health*
Healthy hair, skin and nails*
Cleansing and detoxification*
Anti-aging and longevity*
Mental clarity, good focus and a positive mood*
* These stateemnts have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
A Potent Natural Whole Food Nutritional Supplement and Food,
Acai (pronounced AH-sci-EE) Berry is really a wonderful, powerful plant. Acai grows in the Amazon region in Brazil and has been used for thousands of years by the indigenous people of the Brazilian Rainforest and other bordering South American Countries. It has prized by Brazilian natives for its ability to provide energy and a high nutritional content and increase strength. It was traditionally grinded to a pulp and eaten for breakfast or perhaps as an energizing snack later in the day.
Acai Has Twice the Antioxidants of Blueberries
The Acai Berry has twice the level of antioxidants of blueberries and very high levels of omega fatty acids. It is also high in proteins and is a complete source of amino acids, including the essential fatty acids that our body is unable to manufacture. It is also a healthy source of fiber and can hence help maintain a healthy digestive system. In addition, it contains phytosterols, which are compounds of plant membranes that can provide many benefits.
Acai has a taste that is described by some as a mix between chocolate and berries. It is deep purple in color and very rich in the class of antioxidants known as anthocyanins. These, like other antioxidants, fight free-radicals and help to combat premature aging and even help prevent serious diseases caused or exacerbated by free radical damage like heart disease and cancer.
Other Benefits of Acai Juice as Nutritional Supplement
Supports healthy energy and stamina levels and resistance to fatigue*
Supports healthy libido*
Supports liver health*
Healthy hair, skin and nails*
Cleansing and detoxification*
Anti-aging and longevity*
Mental clarity, good focus and a positive mood*
* These stateemnts have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Acai Berry and Cancer
Acai Berry & Cancer
The popularity of the acai berry is growing every day. As a result, more and more nutritionists and scientists are researching its unique nutritional qualities and healing abilities. It was only a matter of time before someone ran experiments regarding the acai berry’s ability to fight cancer. The exciting results of that experiment are below, but first let’s cover a few things that may help you understand the acai berry’s cancer fighting abilities a little better.
Free Radicals & Antioxidants
Free radicals are nasty little molecules that come from pollutants, pesticides, cigarette smoke, etc. They attack the cells in the body and can even damage DNA. Free radical damage within cells has been linked to a range of disorders including cancer, arthritis, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes. Your body, of course, has a way to fight back. It does so in the form of antioxidants, which strengthen cells and fight off free radicals.
ORAC Attack
The USDA has a method of measuring the levels of these antioxidants in foods. It’s called the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity score (ORAC for short). Where does the Acai berry measure up on this score? Well, it pretty much blows away the competition.
It’s been estimated that 80-90 percent of the world’s population fails to consume even half of the recommended antioxidant intake to fight the free radicals the body encounters in a day. Foods with a high ORAC score (like the acai berry) are worth their weight in gold to the health-conscious person.
Acai Kills Cancer Cells in Lab Study
Now that you know how the acai berry theoretically fights cancer; let’s talk about that experiment we mentioned earlier. The University of Florida published a study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry that found that acai berries triggered a self destruct response in up to 86% of human cancer cells. Assistant Professor Stephen Talcott says “This was only a cell-culture model and we don’t want to give anyone false hope. We are encouraged by the findings, however. Compounds that show good activity against cancer cells in a model system are most likely to have beneficial effects in our bodies.” The University will now study the effect of acai antioxidants on healthy human subjects. Talcott adds “A lot of claims are being made, but most of them haven’t been tested scientifically. We are just beginning to understand the complexity of the acai berry and its health-promoting effects.”
The Final Word
While the acai berry certainly isn’t proven to cure cancer, exciting research indicates that, at the very least, the high level of antioxidants may help your body fight it. Hopefully further research will reveal more benefits of this amazing food.
The popularity of the acai berry is growing every day. As a result, more and more nutritionists and scientists are researching its unique nutritional qualities and healing abilities. It was only a matter of time before someone ran experiments regarding the acai berry’s ability to fight cancer. The exciting results of that experiment are below, but first let’s cover a few things that may help you understand the acai berry’s cancer fighting abilities a little better.
Free Radicals & Antioxidants
Free radicals are nasty little molecules that come from pollutants, pesticides, cigarette smoke, etc. They attack the cells in the body and can even damage DNA. Free radical damage within cells has been linked to a range of disorders including cancer, arthritis, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes. Your body, of course, has a way to fight back. It does so in the form of antioxidants, which strengthen cells and fight off free radicals.
ORAC Attack
The USDA has a method of measuring the levels of these antioxidants in foods. It’s called the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity score (ORAC for short). Where does the Acai berry measure up on this score? Well, it pretty much blows away the competition.
It’s been estimated that 80-90 percent of the world’s population fails to consume even half of the recommended antioxidant intake to fight the free radicals the body encounters in a day. Foods with a high ORAC score (like the acai berry) are worth their weight in gold to the health-conscious person.
Acai Kills Cancer Cells in Lab Study
Now that you know how the acai berry theoretically fights cancer; let’s talk about that experiment we mentioned earlier. The University of Florida published a study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry that found that acai berries triggered a self destruct response in up to 86% of human cancer cells. Assistant Professor Stephen Talcott says “This was only a cell-culture model and we don’t want to give anyone false hope. We are encouraged by the findings, however. Compounds that show good activity against cancer cells in a model system are most likely to have beneficial effects in our bodies.” The University will now study the effect of acai antioxidants on healthy human subjects. Talcott adds “A lot of claims are being made, but most of them haven’t been tested scientifically. We are just beginning to understand the complexity of the acai berry and its health-promoting effects.”
The Final Word
While the acai berry certainly isn’t proven to cure cancer, exciting research indicates that, at the very least, the high level of antioxidants may help your body fight it. Hopefully further research will reveal more benefits of this amazing food.
What is the Acai Berry
2. What is the Acai Berry?
The acai berry (pronounced “ah-sigh-ee”) is a small grape-sized berry that grows in the Amazon Rainforest of Brazil. Natives of the region have harvested this berry as part of their diet for hundreds of years.
The much desired acai fruit is only 10% of the actual berry. The other 90% is made up of the seed or pit. The acai berry is harvested by the thousands and put through a process that separates the pulp from the seed to produce a thick, edible puree.
America Discovers the Acai Berry
Although the acai berry is legendary in Brazil, only recently has its popularity spread to America. Doctors, scientists, nutritionists and countless media outlets rave about its many nutritional qualities and health benefits. This recent surge of interest in the acai berry has been aided by Bestselling author and anti-aging expert Dr. Nicholas Perricone who has touted the berry as the “Number one super food in the world” in his book “The Perricone Promise” and in appearances on TV shows such as Oprah. Calling the acai berry “the number one super food in the world” might sound like a stretch, but this view is not unfounded. The little berry is packed with an amazing amount of free-radical fighting antioxidants and is considered to have the best overall nutritional value of any fruit on earth.
Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) is a method used by the USDA of measuring antioxidant capacities of different foods. Other popular fruits don’t even come close to the antioxidant power of the acai berry.
Acai Power
All this talk about antioxidants and nutritional value, what does it mean exactly? In simple terms, the acai berry can help:
Support the immune system
Aid in weight loss
Improve digestion
Reduce pain and soreness
Promote healthy sleep
Increase energy & stamina
Increase libido
Fight cancer & disease
Lower blood pressure
Fight aging & inflammation
Protect against heart disease
Palate Pleaser
With all of this nutritional value and antioxidants, the acai berry must taste awful, right? Wrong. The acai berry has a flavor that is best described as a delicious blend of berries and chocolate. Perhaps that’s why the Wall Street Journal recently ran an article about how acai berry is replacing wheatgrass as the drink of choice at health bars all over the country.
Acai Berry Diet
Not only is acai berry replacing wheatgrass as the new health fad, it also seems to be the newest fad diet as well. Clever companies are realizing what a huge discovery acai berry is and capitalizing on it with heavily marketed diet supplements. While many of these weight loss claims are exaggerated, the acai berry has been scientifically proven to contain several key ingredients that aid in boosting the metabolism, suppressing appetite, and building muscle tone.
The acai berry (pronounced “ah-sigh-ee”) is a small grape-sized berry that grows in the Amazon Rainforest of Brazil. Natives of the region have harvested this berry as part of their diet for hundreds of years.
The much desired acai fruit is only 10% of the actual berry. The other 90% is made up of the seed or pit. The acai berry is harvested by the thousands and put through a process that separates the pulp from the seed to produce a thick, edible puree.
America Discovers the Acai Berry
Although the acai berry is legendary in Brazil, only recently has its popularity spread to America. Doctors, scientists, nutritionists and countless media outlets rave about its many nutritional qualities and health benefits. This recent surge of interest in the acai berry has been aided by Bestselling author and anti-aging expert Dr. Nicholas Perricone who has touted the berry as the “Number one super food in the world” in his book “The Perricone Promise” and in appearances on TV shows such as Oprah. Calling the acai berry “the number one super food in the world” might sound like a stretch, but this view is not unfounded. The little berry is packed with an amazing amount of free-radical fighting antioxidants and is considered to have the best overall nutritional value of any fruit on earth.
Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) is a method used by the USDA of measuring antioxidant capacities of different foods. Other popular fruits don’t even come close to the antioxidant power of the acai berry.
Acai Power
All this talk about antioxidants and nutritional value, what does it mean exactly? In simple terms, the acai berry can help:
Support the immune system
Aid in weight loss
Improve digestion
Reduce pain and soreness
Promote healthy sleep
Increase energy & stamina
Increase libido
Fight cancer & disease
Lower blood pressure
Fight aging & inflammation
Protect against heart disease
Palate Pleaser
With all of this nutritional value and antioxidants, the acai berry must taste awful, right? Wrong. The acai berry has a flavor that is best described as a delicious blend of berries and chocolate. Perhaps that’s why the Wall Street Journal recently ran an article about how acai berry is replacing wheatgrass as the drink of choice at health bars all over the country.
Acai Berry Diet
Not only is acai berry replacing wheatgrass as the new health fad, it also seems to be the newest fad diet as well. Clever companies are realizing what a huge discovery acai berry is and capitalizing on it with heavily marketed diet supplements. While many of these weight loss claims are exaggerated, the acai berry has been scientifically proven to contain several key ingredients that aid in boosting the metabolism, suppressing appetite, and building muscle tone.
Acai Berry Facts
1. Acai Berry Benefits
Acai isn’t called nature’s perfect food for nothing. Below are just some of the health benefits that research has shown you can get from consuming the acai berry.
Acai Berry Increases Energy & Stamina
Jiu-jitsu fighters and soccer players in Brazil often have a large meal of acai berry pulp before a competition. Why? Aside from being a perfect source of nutrition and carbohydrates, the high levels of antioxidants in the acai berry lead to a drastic increase in energy levels and stamina. Taken on a regular basis, the acai berry strengthens the immune system to the point where the body isn’t constantly fighting off infections and disease. This frees up even more energy for other uses.
Acai Berry Fights Cancer & Disease
Free radicals are nasty little molecules that come from pollutants, pesticides, cigarette smoke, etc. They attack the cells in the body, cause diseases, and can even damage DNA. Antioxidants are the body’s fuel for strengthening cells and fighting off free radicals. As you know by now, the acai berry is jam packed with these powerful antioxidants. There are some exciting studies regarding the acai berry’s ability to fight cancer. See the Acai & Cancer page to read more.
Acai Berry Fights Obesity
The acai berry's natural combination of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, amino acids, phytosterols, and amino acids work together to help your body function better, process food easier, and burn fat more efficiently. It's one of the best things you can put into your body to keep it healthy. Subsequently, when your body is healthy and well-balanced, it will be much easier for you to reach your perfect weight.
Acai Berry Boosts the Immune System
The powerful antioxidants in the acai berry, combined with the essential fatty acids, work as an anti-bacterial and anti-viral agent while simultaneously boosting the immune system.
Acai Berry Maintains Good Cholesterol & Fights Heart Disease
The essential fatty acids and antioxidants in the acai berry fight bad cholesterol (LDL) while simultaneously maintaining good cholesterol (HDL) and fighting heart disease. The same fatty acids also aid in the absorbency of necessary vitamins like Vitamin A, E, D, and K.
The acai berry also contains phytosterols, a group of plant phytochemicals that reduce cholesterol absorption in the intestines. Studies show that these plant compounds can reduce cholesterol in humans by up to 15%
Acai Berry Improves Vision
British pilots in World War II reportedly ate large amounts of bilberry jam before dangerous missions as they swore it drastically improved their night vision. Billberry is also popular in Japan where it is used to relieve eye strain from excessive staring at computer monitors. Modern scientists have tracked these results down to a rare type of antioxidant in the bilberry called “anthocyanins”. Not surprisingly, these antioxidants are also found in the acai berry.
On a somewhat related note, other antioxidants in the acai berry fight various eye related diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Acai Berry Helps With Digestion
The acai berry contains enzymes and other vital nutrients that aid in the digestion process. A functioning digestive system will not be plagued with acid reflux and other ailments. Acai also contains a healthy amount of fiber which helps your digestive tract process food.
Acai Berry Promotes a More Peaceful Sleep
Your ability to sleep can be frequently affected by stressed muscles. Acai contains amino acids that relax your muscles and allow for a more restful sleep. It also contains Vitamin B which helps to regulate the dopamine and serotonin (both neuro-
transmitters that impact sleep) production in the brain.
Acai isn’t called nature’s perfect food for nothing. Below are just some of the health benefits that research has shown you can get from consuming the acai berry.
Acai Berry Increases Energy & Stamina
Jiu-jitsu fighters and soccer players in Brazil often have a large meal of acai berry pulp before a competition. Why? Aside from being a perfect source of nutrition and carbohydrates, the high levels of antioxidants in the acai berry lead to a drastic increase in energy levels and stamina. Taken on a regular basis, the acai berry strengthens the immune system to the point where the body isn’t constantly fighting off infections and disease. This frees up even more energy for other uses.
Acai Berry Fights Cancer & Disease
Free radicals are nasty little molecules that come from pollutants, pesticides, cigarette smoke, etc. They attack the cells in the body, cause diseases, and can even damage DNA. Antioxidants are the body’s fuel for strengthening cells and fighting off free radicals. As you know by now, the acai berry is jam packed with these powerful antioxidants. There are some exciting studies regarding the acai berry’s ability to fight cancer. See the Acai & Cancer page to read more.
Acai Berry Fights Obesity
The acai berry's natural combination of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, amino acids, phytosterols, and amino acids work together to help your body function better, process food easier, and burn fat more efficiently. It's one of the best things you can put into your body to keep it healthy. Subsequently, when your body is healthy and well-balanced, it will be much easier for you to reach your perfect weight.
Acai Berry Boosts the Immune System
The powerful antioxidants in the acai berry, combined with the essential fatty acids, work as an anti-bacterial and anti-viral agent while simultaneously boosting the immune system.
Acai Berry Maintains Good Cholesterol & Fights Heart Disease
The essential fatty acids and antioxidants in the acai berry fight bad cholesterol (LDL) while simultaneously maintaining good cholesterol (HDL) and fighting heart disease. The same fatty acids also aid in the absorbency of necessary vitamins like Vitamin A, E, D, and K.
The acai berry also contains phytosterols, a group of plant phytochemicals that reduce cholesterol absorption in the intestines. Studies show that these plant compounds can reduce cholesterol in humans by up to 15%
Acai Berry Improves Vision
British pilots in World War II reportedly ate large amounts of bilberry jam before dangerous missions as they swore it drastically improved their night vision. Billberry is also popular in Japan where it is used to relieve eye strain from excessive staring at computer monitors. Modern scientists have tracked these results down to a rare type of antioxidant in the bilberry called “anthocyanins”. Not surprisingly, these antioxidants are also found in the acai berry.
On a somewhat related note, other antioxidants in the acai berry fight various eye related diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Acai Berry Helps With Digestion
The acai berry contains enzymes and other vital nutrients that aid in the digestion process. A functioning digestive system will not be plagued with acid reflux and other ailments. Acai also contains a healthy amount of fiber which helps your digestive tract process food.
Acai Berry Promotes a More Peaceful Sleep
Your ability to sleep can be frequently affected by stressed muscles. Acai contains amino acids that relax your muscles and allow for a more restful sleep. It also contains Vitamin B which helps to regulate the dopamine and serotonin (both neuro-
transmitters that impact sleep) production in the brain.
ACAI Nutritional Information
ACAI Nutritional Information
Açaí pulp contains:
• A remarkable concentration of antioxidants, to help combat premature aging, with 10 times the anthocyanins (purple colored antioxidants) of red wine.
• A synergy of monounsaturated (healthy) fats, dietary fiber and phytosterols, to help promote cardiovascular system and digestive tract health.
• An almost perfect essential amino acid complex in conjunction with valuable trace minerals, vital to proper muscle contraction and regeneration.
Açaí is a dense source of particular class of flavonoids called anthocyanins (red-blue phenols with potent antioxidant properties)
• Anthocyanins are a group of phytochemicals in red wine thought to contribute to the French paradox, i.e. France has one of the lowest incidences of heart disease of any westernized society despite a prevalence of smoking and a diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol (5). Açaí pulp contains 10 times the anthocyanins of red wine per equal volume (1).
• The primary anthocyanin in Açaí is cyanidin-3 glucoside (1). Cyanidin-3-glucoside has been found to be 3.5 times stronger than Trolox (vitamin E analogue) and the predominate anthocyanin found in red wine (malvadin-3-glucoside) in an ORAC analysis (measure of antioxidant capacity) (11).
• Anthocyanins have been found to “exhibit numerous potential therapeutic effects including treatment of diabetic retinopathy and fibrocystic disease of the breast in human” (11). "Other potential physiological effects of anthocyanins include radiation-protective, chemoprotective, vasoprotective and anti-inflammatory agents” (11).
Açaí is a good source of:
Essential Fatty acids -- to aid in the transport and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins i.e. Vitamins A, E, D, and K (3).
• The fatty acid ratio of açaí resembles that of olive oil, which is thought to be a contributing factor to the low incidence of heart disease in Mediterranean populations (1, 5).
• 60% Oleic (Omega 9) a monounsaturated, essential fatty acid, helps lower LDL (harmful cholesterol) while maintaining HDL (beneficial cholesterol) levels (5).
• 12% Linoleic (Omega 6) a polyunsaturated, essential fatty acid, has been found to lower both LDL and HDL levels (5).
Fiber – to promote a healthy digestive system
• Fiber helps to support a healthy digestive system. Low fiber in the American diet is thought to be a contributing factor to the high incidence of cancer and heart disease. Soluble fibers may help lower blood cholesterol; insoluble fibers are thought to help reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancers (5).
Valuable phytosterols
Sterols are components of plant cell membranes providing numerous benefits to the human body, namely the reduction of blood plasma cholesterol (7).
• Sterols are currently being used to treat symptoms associated with BPH (benign prostate hyperplasia) (6).
• Preliminary evidence suggests that beta-sitosterol (the predominant sterol in Acai) may help prevent immune weakness resulting from severe physical stress (7).
Works Cited:
1. Rogez H. Acai: Preparo, Composicao, e Melhormento da Converacao. Belem:EDUFPA; 2000.
2. Seager S, Slabaugh M. Chemistry for Today: General Organic and Biochemistry-4th ed. California.
3. Wardlaw G, Insel P. Perspectives in Nutrition – 2nd ed. Saint Louis: Masby – Year Book, Inc; 1990.
4. Sillberberg S. Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of matter and Change – 2nd ed. USA: McGraw-Hill; 2000. 1086p.
5. Cook-Fuller C, editor. Annual Editions Nutrition 00/01 – 12th ed. Connecticut: Dushkin/McGraw Hill; 2000.
6. Berges B, et al. Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinicaltrial of beta-sitosterol in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Lancet 345: 1529–1532, 1995.
7. Pegel K. The importance of sitosterol and sitosterolin in human and animal nutrition. S African J Science. 93, 263–268, 1997.
8. Miura T, et al. Effect of guarana on exercise in normal and epinephrine-induced glycogenolytic mice. Biol Pharm Bull. 1998 Jun;21(6):646-8.
9. Henman AR. Guarana (Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis): Ecological and social perspectives on an economic plant of the central Amazon basin. J Ethnopharmacol, 1982 Nov.
10 Duke JA. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press,1985, 349
11. Hong W, Cao G, Prior P: Oxygan Radical Absorbance Capacity of Anthocyanins. J. Agric. Food Chem. 45, 304-309, 1997
Açaí pulp contains:
• A remarkable concentration of antioxidants, to help combat premature aging, with 10 times the anthocyanins (purple colored antioxidants) of red wine.
• A synergy of monounsaturated (healthy) fats, dietary fiber and phytosterols, to help promote cardiovascular system and digestive tract health.
• An almost perfect essential amino acid complex in conjunction with valuable trace minerals, vital to proper muscle contraction and regeneration.
Açaí is a dense source of particular class of flavonoids called anthocyanins (red-blue phenols with potent antioxidant properties)
• Anthocyanins are a group of phytochemicals in red wine thought to contribute to the French paradox, i.e. France has one of the lowest incidences of heart disease of any westernized society despite a prevalence of smoking and a diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol (5). Açaí pulp contains 10 times the anthocyanins of red wine per equal volume (1).
• The primary anthocyanin in Açaí is cyanidin-3 glucoside (1). Cyanidin-3-glucoside has been found to be 3.5 times stronger than Trolox (vitamin E analogue) and the predominate anthocyanin found in red wine (malvadin-3-glucoside) in an ORAC analysis (measure of antioxidant capacity) (11).
• Anthocyanins have been found to “exhibit numerous potential therapeutic effects including treatment of diabetic retinopathy and fibrocystic disease of the breast in human” (11). "Other potential physiological effects of anthocyanins include radiation-protective, chemoprotective, vasoprotective and anti-inflammatory agents” (11).
Açaí is a good source of:
Essential Fatty acids -- to aid in the transport and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins i.e. Vitamins A, E, D, and K (3).
• The fatty acid ratio of açaí resembles that of olive oil, which is thought to be a contributing factor to the low incidence of heart disease in Mediterranean populations (1, 5).
• 60% Oleic (Omega 9) a monounsaturated, essential fatty acid, helps lower LDL (harmful cholesterol) while maintaining HDL (beneficial cholesterol) levels (5).
• 12% Linoleic (Omega 6) a polyunsaturated, essential fatty acid, has been found to lower both LDL and HDL levels (5).
Fiber – to promote a healthy digestive system
• Fiber helps to support a healthy digestive system. Low fiber in the American diet is thought to be a contributing factor to the high incidence of cancer and heart disease. Soluble fibers may help lower blood cholesterol; insoluble fibers are thought to help reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancers (5).
Valuable phytosterols
Sterols are components of plant cell membranes providing numerous benefits to the human body, namely the reduction of blood plasma cholesterol (7).
• Sterols are currently being used to treat symptoms associated with BPH (benign prostate hyperplasia) (6).
• Preliminary evidence suggests that beta-sitosterol (the predominant sterol in Acai) may help prevent immune weakness resulting from severe physical stress (7).
Works Cited:
1. Rogez H. Acai: Preparo, Composicao, e Melhormento da Converacao. Belem:EDUFPA; 2000.
2. Seager S, Slabaugh M. Chemistry for Today: General Organic and Biochemistry-4th ed. California.
3. Wardlaw G, Insel P. Perspectives in Nutrition – 2nd ed. Saint Louis: Masby – Year Book, Inc; 1990.
4. Sillberberg S. Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of matter and Change – 2nd ed. USA: McGraw-Hill; 2000. 1086p.
5. Cook-Fuller C, editor. Annual Editions Nutrition 00/01 – 12th ed. Connecticut: Dushkin/McGraw Hill; 2000.
6. Berges B, et al. Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinicaltrial of beta-sitosterol in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Lancet 345: 1529–1532, 1995.
7. Pegel K. The importance of sitosterol and sitosterolin in human and animal nutrition. S African J Science. 93, 263–268, 1997.
8. Miura T, et al. Effect of guarana on exercise in normal and epinephrine-induced glycogenolytic mice. Biol Pharm Bull. 1998 Jun;21(6):646-8.
9. Henman AR. Guarana (Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis): Ecological and social perspectives on an economic plant of the central Amazon basin. J Ethnopharmacol, 1982 Nov.
10 Duke JA. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press,1985, 349
11. Hong W, Cao G, Prior P: Oxygan Radical Absorbance Capacity of Anthocyanins. J. Agric. Food Chem. 45, 304-309, 1997
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