What is Acai Berry?
The Acai Berry is a berry with different nutritional properties and a certain therapeutic potential. This fruit, with a sour and pleasant taste, is produced from a palm (Euterpe Oleracea), widespread only in the Amazon.
Recently, for its antioxidant, energizing and potentially slimming properties, Acai Berry has gained popularity as a functional ingredient, especially following the marketing of its derivatives in the form of juices and food supplements.
In addition to the fruits, from the "Euterpe Oleracea palmito is obtained (more commonly palm heart), used as food.
Currently, the known effects of Acai are mainly determined by the high content of:
- Antioxidants;
- Unsaturated fats (omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9);
- Vitamins;
- Vegetable proteins;
- Minerals: iron and calcium.
that make it a fruit:
- "Supernutrient" and energizing;
- Hypocholesterolemic;
- Immunostimulant;
- Antioxidant;
- Able to decrease the sense of hunger in the context of diets aimed at weight reduction.
However, from a scientific point of view, the evidence supporting the positive health effects is still scarce. The research is oriented towards the study of the other possible properties of the berry, in particular on its particular antioxidant activity and on its potential effects in the prevention of diseases caused by oxidative stress.
Botanical description
L"Euterpe Oleracea it is a bushy palm (several stems are united on the same base) which belongs to the Arecaceae family. The plant can reach 20-30 meters in height and has typical hanging pinnate leaves, up to 2 meters long. The Acai plant grows in the swampy areas of the tropical forests of Central and South America. L"Euterpe Oleracea produces fruits (drupes) gathered in compound clusters (racemes).
The characteristics of the Acai fruit
Acai berries are rounded, have a diameter of about 1.5 cm and are dark purple / violet in color. These fruits are rich in anthocyanins (antioxidant action) and other important nutrients, most of which are found in the skin and pulp, while the seed is usually not eaten. About 20% of the berry consists of edible pulp, while the seed occupies almost 80% of the fruit. Commercially, the acai fruit is found in the form of bars, juice or tablets.
The properties of Acai berries
Acai berries contain a series of active ingredients that can help improve the general state of well-being; moreover, the substances contained in the derived products can also contribute to bring positive effects in the prevention of various medical conditions. However, it should be noted that the potential benefits of Acai are still based on preliminary laboratory studies or simply on those reported on the individual components of the fruit (perhaps studied at significantly higher concentrations). At present, all the possible health benefits.
L "Acai possesses the following properties:
- Thanks to the rich fiber content:
- it is an ideal complement to any diet, both slimming and maintenance, due to its high satiating power;
- it helps fight constipation and regulates the intestine promptly;
- Contains a significant amount of anthocyanins and flavonoids, powerful antioxidants that defend the body from the aging process and from the excess of free radicals;
- Due to the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega 3, 6, 9) it helps to limit the accumulation of cholesterol in the arteries;
- Presents a rare synergy between a complex of amino acids and a strong concentration of phytosterols, which protect the heart from "atherosclerosis
- It is rich in iron, calcium, potassium, vitamins B1, B2 and C and mineral salts.
What are the potential health benefits?
The benefits of Acai are numerous. The main ones are:
- Promotes weight loss;
- Supports the immune system;
- Increase energy;
- Fights inflammation;
- Protects the cardiovascular system;
- Increase libido.
L "Acai as a slimming: satiating effect
Often, Acai is advertised as a weight loss miracle berry. In reality, there is no supplement that can help you lose weight on its own without pairing it with a balanced diet and regular physical activity. Either way, just like fresh vegetables. , these berries can help maintain weight control, for the following reasons:
- Acai is able to significantly reduce the feeling of hunger and to promote a rapid achievement of satiety, thanks above all to the protein content.
- With its high fiber intake, Acai promotes intestinal regularity, stimulating peristalsis, the drainage of excess fluids and the elimination of toxins.
- In addition, the berries have a very low glycemic index.
Effects on cellular aging
Thanks to the high concentration of antioxidants (in particular, anthocyanins and resveratrol), Acai could counteract premature aging and protect against damage caused by free radicals. These effects would be particularly effective against the cardiovascular system and the central nervous system. In Acai berries, anthocyanins are present in quantities 30 times higher than in red wine.
oleic acid, polyunsaturated fatty acids and phytosterols, helps to keep blood cholesterol levels under control and produces a synergistic effect with the previous actions.
