Acaí (Euterpe oleracea) is known as the “Super Berry of the Amazon” where it is native and a staple food. Acaí has gained worldwide popularity and is praised for being particularly beneficial to health and well-being because of its unusually powerful antioxidant effect, which is the highest of any plant-based food on the planet Earth. Apart from unsurpassed levels of antioxidants, Acaí is also amazingly rich in minerals, vitamins, proteins, omega oils and dietary fibers.
Acaí berries are 2,5 cm round fruits that grow on Acaí palm trees in the Amazon Rainforests where indigenous communities frequently add them to meals. To make them edible, they are soaked to soften the tough outer skin and then mashed to form a dark purple paste. As an export, they are primarily sold as a dried powder. Acaí berries have a unique nutritional profile for a fruit, as they are gluten free, low in sugar and contains high levels of calcium, chromium, zinc, iron, copper, manganese, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. They are also rich in Vitamins A,B,C & E, as well as Omega 3 & 9 healthy acids. But some of Acaí ́s most powerful health benefits come from plant compounds. The most notable one among these are anthocyanins, which give Acaí berries their deep purple color and act as antioxidants in the body. One can also find anthocyanins in other blue, black and purple foods, such as black beans and blueberries.
Antioxidants are extremely important because they neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals throughout the body. If free radicals are not neutralized by antioxidants, they can and will damage cells and lead to a number of diseases, including; diabetes, cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer´s & Parkinson´s diseases, inflammatory diseases such as IBD/IBS, Crohn´s & Ulcerative Colitis and many more. Acaí is far more antioxidant rich than other fruits and berries like blueberries and cranberries. The antioxidant content of foods is typically measured by an Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) score. In the case of Acaí, 3,5 ounces - 100 grams - of powder has an ORAC of 15,405, whereas the same amount of blueberries has a score of 4,669, which is about three times more beneficial antioxidant effect. Antioxidants are not produced by any organ in the body. They have to be provided by consuming antioxidant rich foods, which is why Acaí is an especially important foodstuff.
Studies have suggested that Acaí could help improve cholesterol levels and help to lose weight. An adult test population consumed Acaí smoothies twice daily for one month. Overall, they had lower cholesterol at the end of the study. While more research is needed, it's possible that the anthocyanins in Acaí could be responsible for their positive impact on cholesterol levels. (Reference: www.nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/ articles/10.1186/1475-2891-10-45).
Acaí may have a possible anti-cancer effect. While no one food is a magic shield against cancer, some foods are known to stop cancer cells from forming and spreading. Studies have revealed this sort of anti-cancer effect in Acaí. Researchers have concluded that Acai could have a role in treating cancer in the future, yet more research is needed. (Reference: www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/ 10-1080/01635581.2014.956252).
Acaí could boast brain function. The many plant compounds in Acai could also protect your brain from damage as you age. Several studies have shown this kind of protective effect. In one study, Acaí even helped improve memory. One of the ways in which the brain stays healthy is by cleaning up cells that are toxic or no longer working, a process known as autophagy. It makes way for new nerves to form, enhancing communication between brain cells. Acai may counteract the damaging effects of inflammation and oxidation in the brain. (Reference: www.nutraingredients-usa-com/article/2013/12/04/ study-unlocks-acai-s-brain-health-activity).
Since fresh Acaí berries have a short shelf life, they're mainly exported and available in the form of powders, frozen pulp and juices. Although, if filtered, the juice may contain fewer antioxidants. Acaí freeze-dried powder has a 90% higher concentration of antioxidants and other nutrients than frozen pulp as all the water has been removed from the fresh pulp of the berries. To make an Acaí bowl, blend the atomized powder with coconut or almond milk to turn it into a smoothie-like base for toppings that may include e.g. sliced banana, toasted coconut flakes, blueberries, strawberries, kiwicha, quinoa and chia seeds as well as a tablespoon of Maca or Reishi for that extra energy boost. Please see RECIPES for more ideas how to incorporate Acaí in your everyday diet.
The Acaí atomized powder marketed by the Amazon Superfoods Company is 100% natural as the berries are cultivated and harvested in a chemical free and organic environment by independent local and indigenous communities living deep in the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest.
