Everyone has been talking about Acai berries as the nutritional miracle. Is this really based on fact or is it all just a scam?
The Facts About These Tiny Berries
Acai (pronounced ( ah-sigh-EE ) is a fruit that grows on Acai Palm Trees in the Amazon Rainforest of Brazil. The Acai berry is smaller than a grape in size and is dark purple in color. Acai is 90% seed, covered in a small amount of pulp. It is important to note that no one eats the Acai berry seed, which contributes to the fruits expensive cost. Acai has a berry flavor with a subtle chocolate after taste, and it turns out that Acai contains tremendous health properties that may be one of the best possible foods you can eat to stay healthy. In addition to antioxidants, Acai is also rich in Omega 3, 6, and 9 fats, amino acids, electrolytes, fiber, protein, vitamins A, B1, 2, 3, C and E.
Acai Berry ORAC (Antioxidant) Rating
ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. ORAC measures the ability of just about any substance to subdue oxygen free radicals in the test tube. In short, ORAC is a lab assay that can measure the antioxidant activity of any substance and give it a number. The higher the ORAC number – the stronger the antioxidant properties of the substance.
The National Institute on Aging developed the ORAC method and the US Department of Agriculture have been instrumental in perfecting the ORAC assay procedure and testing various foods to determine ORAC levels. The USDA recommends we consume 3,000 to 5,000 ORAC units daily. In truth, 80% of the population is consuming less than 1,000 ORAC units a day. The USDA recommended “5-a-day” fruit and vegetable servings will give you an ORAC score of about 1,750 units. This means it’s time to heap the dark colored fruits and vegetables on your plate.
Acai Contains High Levels of Anthocyanins
Anthocyanins are flavonoid pigments that plants and fruits synthesize. Anthocyanins give plants and fruits their beautiful pigmentation and can act as a sunscreen for plants. The pigment in fruit can help attract animals to the disperse the plants’ seeds. An important thing to consider is that the antioxidant properties of anthocyanins are maintained even after they are eaten by another organism. This is why fruits with bright pigmentation tend to have the greater ORAC values. In comparison, Acai berry has over 30 times the anthocyanins as red wine!
How Do We Get More?
Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to obtain these precious nutrient rich berries unless you live in the Amazon Rainforest, as Acai is very perishable and spoils within about 24 hours of being picked from the Acai Palm tree.
But luckily, Acai pulp from the Amazon can be frozen and shipped to the US. A number of juice bars now have Acai smoothies, and Acai pulp can also be dehydrated into a powder and freeze dried. This powder can then be put into capsules to make pure Acai supplements that maintain all the nutritional properties of fresh Acai – just in a concentrated form.
Look Out for Scams!
Acai Berry has NOT been shown to work as a weight loss supplement. There are many publishings already out there that do not support the free trials for Acai berry powders or tablets for weight loss purposes.
Acai berry in any of its forms is a great find and a tasty addition to a healthy diet. The nutritional benefits are indeed impressive for such a small fruit!
