Looking for more vitamins and minerals in your diet? Drinking acai juice
every day could be the answer. The acai berry, a small black berry similar to a
grape grown primarily in Brazil,
is used in energy drinks and protein bars, and is now sold in a powder extract
as a vitamin supplement. This berry has been proven to help enhance mental
alertness, and can even improve memory. But, what other properties does this
delicious and extremely healthy fruit possess? How can the acai berry enhance
one’s physical and mental well being? Here is some information about the acai
berry, where you can purchase the fruit, and nutrition facts that make the acai
berry so good for you.
Antioxidant and nutritional properties of acai
The acai berry has a very high amount of antocianine, a substance that helps
the body fight of free radicals, or toxic substances in the environment, like
cigarette smoke, smog and harmful particles in the air. Antocianine also helps
lower cholesterol levels, so it’s recommended that individuals with the risk
for heart disease or high blood pressure consume foods rich in antocianine
every day. This substance is also found in the grape, which is why many doctors
and health professionals recommend a glass of red wine a day to rid the body of
toxins. However, acai has 33 times more antocianine than the grape, even though
the two fruits are similar in color and size. Additional antioxidants, like
vitamin C and E, are also found in the acai berry, and the calcium and
potassium found in the fruit can help to ease menstrual pain and prevent
osteoporosis.
Other fruits and juices that possess great antioxidant properties, like noni
juice or mangosteen, are not nearly as potent as acai. Acai berries have six
times more antioxidant power, and also contain vitamins B1, B2, and B3.
Acai berries are also very high in fiber, which helps to reduce cholesterol
and can help to prevent colon cancer, and has as much protein as one egg. The
berries contain Omega-3 fatty acids as well, which can help to improve skin
health and increase protein levels. Amino acids and trace minerals are
contained in the berry, too, and these substances help to improve muscle
concentration and regeneration.