Antioxidants in Acai Berries
June 19, 2008
Many have come to know the acai berry from a segment done with Dr. Perricone on Oprah’s television show. For those who have not heard of acai berries before, they are the fruit produced by the acai palm in the regions surrounding the Amazon River. In the television segment spotlight, the acai berry was claimed to be the latest superfood. What is a superfood? A superfood is often given to a plant product that can promote many health benefits to a person. The acai berry does seem to fit into this classification. Depending on where you look for exact information the details will vary slightly, but all will come down to a single point – the acai berry is very good for you. Most superfoods will include fiber, vitamins, minerals and of course the all powerful antioxidants in large supply. Some of the leaders in the fight to be at the top of the unofficial antioxidant list includes of course acai, blueberries, purple and red grapes, pomegranate, salmon and many others. The make up of the acai fruit gives information as to why this exotic fruit is so good in antioxidant value. The acai fruit first contains a great supply of healthy fats which are good for us on their own but when speaking of antioxidants, the good fats allow the antioxidants to be absorbed in our bodies effectively and efficiently. The main purpose of antioxidants is to combat the free radicals found in our bodies which cause many types of damage to us from signs of aging to diseases including cancers. Acai berries are reported to be able to provide as much as two to three times the antioxidant power of blueberries and ten times the antioxidant levels than red grapes can and we all familiar with how red wine used in moderation is so beneficial for us. We get a variety of different antioxidants in the common foods that we eat and most will beans, grains as well as fruits and vegetables, especially the ones that have bright colors in appearance. Acai fruit just happens to have more of the antioxidants in its fleshy pulp. So what is so special about antioxidants? The free radicals, as mentioned briefly before, are the end result of cells using oxygen. It can be compared to a car’s exhaust being the end result of using gasoline. If the free radicals increase in quantity in our bodies, then they can cause more damage to the body. Since antioxidants play a seek and destroy maneuver on the free radicals, if we increase our antioxidant level within we can therefore decrease the free radicals and then reduce the damage on our bodies. Common health conditions associated with the oxidation damage caused by free radicals are cancers, diabetes, heart disease, macular degeneration and many others as well. Antioxidants have also been associated with aiding the immune and digestive systems. Aside from antioxidants, the acai berry contains other elements in its nutritional make-up that help our bodies in other ways as well. It does appear to be a super food.
