The Acai Berry is being marketed as the most recent super food that has anti-aging, cancer fighting and weight loss properties. The berry is being used in capsules, as a supplement, in creams and also in various foods.
Origins of The Acai Berry
The Acai Berry comes from the Acai palm tree (botanical name Euterpe oleracea) and is naturally found in Central America and South America. The Acai Berry fruit is a reddish purple fruit, which is considered to be in the same family as blueberry and cranberry.
The research studies that have been conducted so far have focused on the antioxidant properties of the Acai Berry. The substances anthocyanins and flavonoids present in fairly high quantities in the Acai Berry are the antioxidants that the berry is so famous for.
The Antioxidant Power of The Acai Berry
The Acai Berry is known to have more antioxidant content than cranberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries or blueberries. In fact, some analysis on the Acai Berry shows that it has about 33 times more antioxidant content as compared to red wine grapes.
These antioxidants fight the free radicals that are harmful for our system because they are said to be responsible for the ageing signs on our skin and a higher risk of cancer. The presence of these antioxidants is also said to reduce the risk of heart diseases.
Acai Berry Vitamin and Mineral Content
The Acai Berry fruit is also known to contain Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E, iron, potassium, calcium and phosphorus.
The fruit is quite rich in nutrients of all kinds. A 100 grams of fruit extract contains 52.2 grams of carbohydrates, 32.5 grams of fat, 8.1 grams of protein and 44.2 grams of fiber.
Other benefits of the Acai Berry that have been known are an improvement in focus and mental clarity, better sleep, higher levels of energy, stronger immune system and cholesterol control.
Are There Side Effects From Using The Acai Berry?
The Acai Berry is touted as the next best food that man can consume. Still, there are no controversies that strike the claims that the Acai Berry has no side effects.
In fact, the one major side effect that is often quoted is considered to be a benefit by many. The Acai Berry is known to be an appetite suppressant and therefore, may not be the best option for those who are underweight.
Other than this disguised side effect, the only other problem that the Acai Berry users can face is an allergic reaction, something that is a danger with almost anything new you try.
Will I Lose Weight Using The Acai Berry?
Though there are no known studies that have been published, the Acai Berry is known to be helpful in weight loss due to the high fiber content and phytosterols.
The fiber content helps in providing satiety and the phytosterols helps in better nutrient absorption. The Acai Berry increases metabolism and increases overall health if taken regularly.
Also, the focus of almost all studies has been on the antioxidant properties, however, the fact is that the Acai Berry has many more health benefits.
For instance, even though there are no documented studies that prove the weight loss benefits of the Acai Berry, there are plenty of people who have achieved weight loss by consuming Acai Berry supplements.
The Acai berry in its purest form is of great health benefit and is likely to help with weight loss, in part because it is an appetite suppressant. It is also great for you because it is so full of anti-oxidants which help prevent serious illnesses like cancer, heart disease and potentially even Alzheimer’s.
However, many of the supplements sold in the US that have Acai on their labels contain such a small amount of acai that they are unlikely to provide any weight loss or health benefit. They may induce temporary weight loss simply because some of them act like a strong laxative. If you’re interested in acai for the health benefits or for weight loss, it’s best to stick with the real stuff, which can be hard to find. Hopefully, in the future we’ll see more products available that are made from pure acai, in amounts that are really effective.