Acai Health Benefits
The Acai Berry (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) is a nutrient packed fruit that is found in the flood plains of the Amazon Rainforest. It is a traditional staple of the Amazonian diet but has only gained prominence in the West in recent years. Its rise to prominence started when it was named as one of the top 10 superfoods on the Oprah Winfrey Show and endorsed by Dr Nicholas Perricone, a leading dermatologist and author of The Perricone Promise.
The popularity of the Acai Berry is due to its nutritional profile with its high concentration of antioxidants, essential fatty acids and amino acids making it one of the most nutritious foods on earth. It is not your typical fruit in that it contains a high fat percentage, good fat mind you. It is this high fat content which has meant that it has been inaccessible to consumers living outside of the Amazon rainforest until recent times. Its fat content means that the fresh fruit goes rancid if not consumed within 24 hours. However, recent innovations in food preservation have meant that a processed version of the fruit can be enjoyed by consumers around the world using a technique called freeze drying which preserves the fruit but also maintains its nutritional benefits.
The acai berry (Euterpe Oleracea) has a high concentration of anthocyanins that act as antioxidants and are responsible for many of the health promoting properties of the berry. Reported health benefits are wide ranging and include:
1) Positively impacting on cholesterol levels
2) Improving sex drive
3) Enhancing digestive function
4) Improving energy levels and mental acuity
5) Improving skin condition and reducing premature aging
However, it is important to note that the amount of research that has been carried out on the Acai Berry is still relatively limited with most of the health claims being based on anecdotal reports rather than peer reviewed scientific studies or other credible sources.