Acai Berries – Acai Nutrition ...

Okay, so research studies, the media, and websites are promoting Acai berries as great nutrition. But what exactly could make Acai berries such an important part of your diet?

The single most vital thing to know about Acai berries is that they are jam packed full of antioxidants - molecules that may help to slow down or prevent certain features of aging.

 

Why are Antioxidants Important?

Without giving you a complex science lesson, antioxidants help control the number of 'free radicals' within your body.

Now free radicals in themselves are not all bad. A certain amount are always present, helping to break down toxins and fighting diseases.

The problem occurs when your body contains too many free radicals, which can lead to imbalances causing stress on an otherwise healthy body.

So where do these extra free radicals come from then?

Your body can collect exces free radicals from sources such as ultra-violet rays from the sun, X-rays, and gamma rays from radioactive material.

You can also pick them up from cigarette smoke, car exhausts and industrial fumes.

It has been calculated that your body receives an average of 10,000 free radical hits a day. Trying to avoid them is impossible. The only action you can take to protect yourself, is to introduce antioxidants in to your body to do battle with them.

 

The Benefits of Antioxidants

So enjoying a diet high in antioxidants may help to combat the excess of free radicals that modern living seems to throw at us.

Studies have shown that high antioxidant diets may lower the risks of heart disease, as well as some neurological conditions. Other studies are examining the role of antioxidants in lessening macular degeneration and the rebuilding of weakened immune systems.

In the field of sports, antioxidants are used to 'regenerate' the body after heavy training or exercise. When exercising heavily, the increased oxygen consumption heightens oxidant production (free radicals). This may be felt as muscle ache. Taking rich antioxidant foods after strenuous exercise helps the body to recuperate quicker.

It has also been noted that many antioxidant rich foods usually contain vitamins E, C as well as Carotene. Also minerals such as Copper, Zinc, Selenium and Manganese - all vital for a healthy functioning body, are normally present.

Whether a 'trick of nature' or not, the brighter the food, the higher the antioxidant activity. Orange, red, blue and purple fruits and foods tend to have higher antioxidant levels. An indicator perhaps on the high antioxidant levels of Acai berries.

 

Acai Berries – Antioxidant Rich

Now we've already looked at how antioxidant levels are measured (if you missed it, it's here: ORAC scoring and Antioxidants).

Fresh Acai comes up easily tops for antioxidant activity with a score of 5,500, with feeze-dried Acai (the best source for Acai products away from the Amazon) having a score of 35,000 per 100 grams.

 

Acai Berries - Plus Anthocyanins ...

One of the more specific benefits of Acai berries are Anthocyanins.

Anthocyanins are the flavonoid pigments responsible for the vibrant colors of fruits and flowers as mentioned earlier.

What are Anthocyanins?

Anthocyanins are responsible for the brilliant colours such as the reds, blues and purples that many fruits have.

These pigment colours serve as a "sunscreen" for plants as well as make fruits seem more attractive to eat, as seen with a shiny red apple.

In the wild, these 'attractive colours' help in the spreading of seeds by attracting animals to eat them and spread their seed. In Acai berries, anthocyanins also carry their own set of antioxidant properties.

Other foods containing a high level of anthocyanins include black currents, aubergines, red cabbage, oranges, blackberries, raspberries, cherries, red currents, and red grapes.

In all of those fruits, the bright coloring of reds, blues, purples, and oranges are caused by the amount of anthocyanins they contain.

Conversely, foods that offer a low amount of anthocyanins include potatoes, pears, fennel, peas, bananas, and asparagus.

 

The Importance of Anthocyanins

Anthocyanins are associated with their own specific health benefits, discovered through various scientific studies.

Over the last decades, studies have concluded that foods high in anthocyanins may help against cancers, diabetes, bacterial infections, inflammations, the aging process, as well as neurological diseases.

 

Read more ... Açai Health Benefits ... Açai berry health discoveries ...