Healthy Nutrients Found In The Acai Berry

The acai berry is an amazing nutritional discovery. Grown only in the rainforests of Brazil the acai berry has only recently been available throughout the world due to advances in processing methods. This amazing little berry has up to 10 times the antioxidant level of red grapes and twice the antioxidant levels of blueberries. The acai berry also dwarfs the antioxidant levels of red wine bringing in 10 to 30 times as much antioxidant activity. The acai berry contains some of the highest antioxidant levels of any food found on Earth. nnThe acai berry is extremely high in 2 powerfully strong antioxidants called anthocyanins and flavonoids. Anthocyanin is the substance responsible for the deep red to deep purple colors of many healthy foods including blueberries, red grapes, purple cabbage and of course the acai berry. Foods that are high in anthocyanins are exceptionally nutritious and loaded with antioxidants. nnAntioxidants such as anthocyanins and flavonoids protect the body from stress and free radicals. Free radicals are described as a molecule or an atom that has a single unpaired electron. Because of this unpaired electron the molecule is extremely unstable and disruptive to our bodies. An antioxidant will pair up the random electron and stabilize the molecule. Both anthocyanins and flavonoids are power antioxidants that protect the body from stress and free radicals. nnAntioxidant activity from foods is measured by a number that is referred to as an ORAC score. The ORAC score measures the ability of a substance to neutralize and subdue free radicals within the controlled environment of a test tube. The higher the number of the ORAC score the stronger the antioxidant capacities of the food are. The acai berry has been found to have an exceptionally high ORAC score. nnIn addition to being an excellent source of antioxidants the acai berry is surprisingly high in the essential fatty acids, Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9. The acai berry also contains 19 different amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. This is highly unusual for a fruit. nnThere is an abundance of vitamins and plant sterols contained in the acai berry. Plant sterols are reputed to provide a number of health benefits. Vitamins have long been known to be crucial to our health. The acai berry contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and E along with plenty of the minerals calcium, magnesium, copper, potassium and zinc. nnThe acai berry tastes delicious and provides a healthy dose of fiber. You can partake of these healthy treats by consuming the dried berries, drinking the delicious juice or even taking products made from the extracts. Delicious smoothies and desserts are also made from the acai berry. nnResearch will continue to be conducted on the acai berry but the findings so far have been pretty astounding. The acai berry can aid in weight loss and the prevention of diseases and the tiny but powerful acai berry offers tremendous nutritional benefits that are advantageous to human health. nn