Açai ~ the Superfood?

More and more people are becoming aware of some of the negative consequences of our 21st Century living styles. With our health services seemingly always playing 'catch-up' with the latest drug resistant bug, ordinary people are researching more natural ways to keep and restore their health.

Every week, some 'Alternative' therapy grabs the limelight. But one of the simplest and easiest ways to stay healthy, is to eat well.

Simply put, a 'Superfood', is a food that is so naturally packed with goodness, that it may help to boost levels of health and vitality - naturally.

What is a Superfood?

Most superfoods come from the fruit or vegetables.

Up to now, one of the most commonly known superfood is the blueberry. Known for it's abundance of natural antioxidants, many blueberry based health products are available and enjoyed regularly.

Other superfoods include the 'Allium' family of vegetables - garlic, onions, and leeks to name a few. This humble group of commonly used vegetables contain flavonoids that stimulate the production of antioxidants in the liver. This aids the elimination of toxins and carcinogens.

The list goes on to include: Barley: Beans and Lentils; Buckwheat; Green Foods; Hot Peppers; Nuts and Seeds; Sprouts; Yogurts.

The important thing to note, is that it is a balanced diet containing all of these food groups that offers you the chances of optimum health. A healthy diet, combined with gentle exercise, meditation, yoga etc and you are more likely to enjoy the benefits of a healthier long life.

But the biggest challenge is getting your hands on the Açai. It is the Açai that has been signaled as the Number 1 superfood ... and as it only grows in the Amazonian forests of Brazil, is impossible to enjoy 'fresh' (unless you live there).

What makes the Açai berry a Superfood?

The health benefits of Açai berries go beyond a rich source of antioxidants.

Açai contains a high level of anthocyanins, which protects food from harmful free radicals that develop as a result of UV light exposure and metabolic processes.

Anthocyanins help conserve the level of antioxidants in foods and continue to do so after they are eaten. While red wine is recognised as containing a high level of anthocyanins, the Açai berry actually provides 10 to 30 times more.

Açai berries are also particularly rich in omega fats, giving a healthy dose of unsaturated fats including Omega-3, Omega-6, and Omega-9.

Then there is the Acai berry's high fibre content. For every 100 grams of Acai berries, you get nearly 45 grams of fibre.

... and the list continues:

• Açaiberries have a high content of amino acids and protein.
  The Açai berry contain 19 different amino acids – which help with the growth, repair, and maintenance of body tissues. As your body can only supply 11 of these, the rest have to come from your diet.
  
• Açai berries also contain three different plant sterols - B-sitosterol, campesterol and sigmasterol. These help to keep a heart healthy, as well as assist proper digestive functions.
  
• Açai berries also ccontain vitamins B1, B2, B3, C and E, supplying just as much vitamin C as another superfood – blueberries.
  Plus, for every 100 grams of Acai, you receive more than 1000 IU of Vitamin A.
  
• Açai also contains esential minerals, specifically potassium, calcium, copper, magnesium, and zinc.

All in all, the Açai berry is one impresive berry!

Read more - Açai and ORAC ... What is ORAC and why it is so relevent to Açai.