What do the experts have to say about Acai Berry?
Most recently, Dr. Perricone called the Acai Berry “The #1 Superfood in the World.” Additionally, this wonder supplement has been featured on Oprah, The Wall Street Journal, The Today Show, and numerous health and fitness magazines.
The acai berry is a small grape-sized berry that is harvested from the Brazilian Rain-forest of Amazon and has been used for thousands of years by the natives of Brazil They believe the Acai berry to have amazing healing and nutritional properties recently, the Acai berry has been recognized and marketed as a highly beneficial dietary supplement.
The flavor of the Acai berry is described as a delicious blend of berries and exotic chocolate. Also its free of any negative side effects hence leading to a healthy mind and body. The nutritional content of Acai is considered to be the highest among all the fruits on the Earth, but what really sets Acai apart from any berry is the amount of Free-radical fighting antioxidant content.
The acai berry contains a huge amount of fiber which promotes a healthy digestive system, makes you feel fuller faster and also helps cleanse your system of fatty foods. It also contains Omega fatty acids the same as found in fish oil and olive oil.
The acai berry contains a lot of amino acids essential for the proper functioning of the muscular system of the body. These amino acids and fatty acids allow the body to burn fat in an efficient manner and hence loose weight in a better and easier way.
Acai Berry, THE NEW Superfood
Despite being extremely popular in Brazil
The berry is extremely rich in antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids. With 15-20 times the antioxidants as red grapes, it is one of best sources of antioxidants of any food. There are numerous benefits to acai.
In summary, it can help:
- Promote weight loss.
- Boost energy & stamina.
- Support the immune system.
- Promote more restful sleep.
- Fight aging and inflammation.
- Protect against heart disease.
- Increase libido
How Acai aids weight loss?
In addition to being rich in nutrients, acai is being touted as the next weight loss fad. With the recent media exposure, many clever companies are jumping on the bandwagon and marketing acai as the best diet aid. And although these claims may be somewhat exaggerated, scientific evidence has proven that acai contains several key ingredients that suppress appetite, increase metabolism and help build muscle tone.
Read more about diet and weight loss.
Promote Weight Loss.
Acai has an extremely high concentration of fiber and omega fatty acids. It also contains a healthy dose of amino acids, carbohydrates and vitamins. These nutrients have been shown to:
- suppress appetite
- reduce accumulation of body fat
- boost metabolism
- increase energy and stamina
Approximately 40% of the acai fruit is fiber. There are many benefits from fiber. Since fiber tends to make a meal feel larger and linger longer, it acts as a natural appetite suppressant. And since it helps stabilize blood sugar, it helps keep energy levels stable and higher by preventing sugar crashes. This also helps reduce accumulation of body fat by preventing insulin spikes which can turn excess blood sugar into fat tissue.
The omega fatty acids, fiber, amino acids and vitamins in acai can also help to boost metabolism. And a boost in metabolism can help burn more calories — even at rest.
Combined with a proper diet and exercise, the various nutrients in acai can be a great aid to weight loss and better overall health
Increase Energy and Stamina.
Acai has become legendary among Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighters, top surfers and other athletes for it’s ability to boost energy and increase stamina. Legendary Jiu-Jitsu fighters Carlos and Royce Gracie have used acai to propel them to multiple UFC and other championships. And 6 time world champion surfer Kelly Slater made acai an important part of his diet.
If world class athletes can use acai to boost energy and stamina in competition, it can certainly help you with your training or exercise regimen. And the more energy you have, the more calories you can burn in your workout.
The right combination of nutrients eaten at regular intervals will help keep energy levels high. And the high concentration of carbohydrates, proteins and healthy fats in acai help to fuel activity while the high concentration of fiber helps to regulate blood sugar levels and keep energy levels higher for longer.
Fight heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other diseases.
Perhaps one of the main reasons that acai is considered the number one Superfood is because of the nutrients that help prevent diseases and help promote general health. Acai contains one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants, omega fatty acids, other good fats and fiber of any food.
And these nutrients can reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer,diabetes and other diseases. For example, the high concentration of antioxidants are thought to help prevent Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, neurodegenerative diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases. The high concentration of fiber and beta-sitosterol can lower blood cholesterol. Fiber also helps to lower glucose levels which can help prevent diabetes. And oleic acid, an omega 9 fatty acid which is the chief component of olive oil, can reduce blood pressure
A recent University of Florida study has even linked consumption of acai to prevention of leukemia! With high concentrations of nutrients which help combat many diseases, it’s easy to see why acai is considered by many to be the number one superfood.
Boost the immune system.
The immune system protects against diseases and pathogens like viruses, bacteria and parasites through the use of mechanisms like enzymes, good bacteria, proteins, cells, organs, tissues, etc. The high concentration of antioxidants and other nutrients in the acai berry can help bolster the immune system by contributing to the healthy function of those mechanisms which protect against pathogens.
Improve the digestive system.
The high fiber content, enzymes and other nutrients in acai may not only help to reduce heart disease by lowering blood cholesterol and stabilizing blood sugar, but they also aid in the proper functioning of the digestive system. The enzymes can aid in the digestion of food. And the fiber can help prevent hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome and prevent or relieve constipation. The high fiber content in acai can help ensure that you get your recommended daily allowance of fiber and help maintain a healthy digestive system.
Reduce the effects of aging.
In addition to helping prevent diseases, the high concentration of antioxidants in acai may help reduce the effects of aging. By minimizing damage to cells from free radicals, antioxidants may prevent the effects of aging caused by oxidative stress due to normal bodily function (e.g. exercise) or external causes like sun damage, pesticides, pollutants, cigarette smoke, etc. For example, vitamin E and other antioxidants are thought to help prevent skin damage due to sun exposure and other causes.
Improve vision.
Anthocyanins and other antioxidants such as Vitamin A are thought to improve vision through various mechanisms. In fact, in World War II, British fighter pilots were thought to gain increased night vision through an intake of large amounts of bilberry. A later nutritional analysis attributed the vision improvement to anthocyanins and other antioxidants. And the old adage that carrots (high in Vitamin A and other antioxidants) for improved vision may have something to it as well.
Increase sex drive.
Due to the increased energy and stamina, acai is considered by many to increase libido. Acai can also help reduce weight, improve heart health — all of which can help libido as well. And the abundance of “good” fats helps metabolize cholesterol and produce testosterone and estrogen. In fact, on a recent trip by NBC’s Matt Lauer to the Amazon, he was amused to find that acai berry was commonly referred to by natives as “Amazon Rainforest Viagra“.
