Lucas Beaumont
Perhaps the best way to answer this question is to list some of the benefits that people report after a consistent use of the acai berry in the diet and as a supplement. Reportedly, the nutritional benefits include: helping with bone density and osteoporosis; improves circulation; helps with digestion because the berry is high in fiber; the berry provides important vitamins and minerals; helps repair tissue for better injury recovery; helps with allergy prevention; helps fight inflammation and arthritis; helps maintain proper cholesterol levels.
This small, dark-blue/purple berry has been used by native people of Brazil for years for a wide range of health benefits. Considered a natural and wholesome food and supplement, the acai berry is used today by itself, in energy and juice drinks and in such items as granola-bar snacks. Studies show that the berry provides more desired nutritional value than grapes, blueberries and some other popular fruits.
For example, some have reported that it helps with weight loss because it assists in reducing body fat. This is a major item of nutritional value and a great benefit for overall health, these believers say. Others have found that there are positive effects on osteoporosis (lack of bone density) so the acai berry may provide some of the value that people get from calcium and high-calcium foods. Research has shown that the berry may have an effect on cancer cells, perhaps because of the high amount of anti-oxidants found in the berry.
In the last few years, attention to this small berry has exploded on television commercials, in magazine advertisements and on Web pages. Most of this advertisement focuses directly on the nutritional value of acai, which some report helps with overall energy and relief from feelings of depression. Add to this the benefits some report with reducing blood pressure levels and symptoms of hypertension and use of the berry is more widespread than many can imagine.
In addition to its contribution of anti-oxidants, the acai berry is a good source of Omega fats or oils, a body requirement that people have tried to get from various sources in meals and in supplements. The berry pulp is also high in protein and in an item known by the general name of sterols, which can have a positive effect on heart function and on digestion. Those who want to get a lot of the essential vitamins may want to look at the acai berry as a source of almost every essential vitamin, especially Vitamin C.
One of the most highly touted benefits of the berry is its ability to deal with free radicals in the body. The acai berry reportedly has a huge amount of the necessary oxygen radical absorption capacity that helps the body stay healthy. Research shows that this berry outdoes apples, bananas and blueberries for ORAC value. While the native people of South America wouldn’t know all these scientific and nutritional details, they definitely know the value of the small but powerful acai berry.
