The Açaí Fruit comes from Arecaceae, which is a species of palm trees. This fruit is mainly native to Peru, Brazil, Suriname, Trinidad, and Tobago. The Arecaceae palm trees are slender, tall, and usually grow up to 82 feet. The fruit is typically round, small, and black-purple in color. The inside of the fruit is thin and pulpy, whereas, on the outside, it is hard. It contains a single large seed. In this article, we will take a look at the Nutrition values of Açaí as well as its health benefits.
Açaí Nutrition:
The fruit pulp of Açaí is very rich in antioxidants. In fact, it’s significantly richer in antioxidants than other berries such as blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries. This is due to the contribution of phenolic compounds. Antioxidants have a significant role in detoxification of harmful toxins in our body, which also reduces the chance of liver damage. Apart from antioxidant value, these berries are also rich in fiber and heart-healthy fats.
These berries are considerably packed with unsaturated fatty acids. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated are the most noticeable fatty acids in Açaí, which include oleic acid, palmitic acid, and linoleic acid. There are a total of 21 amino acids in nature, among which some are essential, and some are non-essential. Surprisingly, Açaí berries contain 19 of these amino acids. However, their overall weight is low. It also provides different types of sterol.
Açaí Nutrition Facts:
Coming on to the nutrition values and facts, Açaí is full of vital nutrients. One hundred grams of Açaí fruit contains 70kcal Calories, 1.0g Protein, 4.0g Carbohydrates, 2.0g Dietary Fibers, 2.0g Sugars, 20.0mg Calcium, and 10.0mg Sodium. Moreover, it contains 5.0g of Fat out of which 1.5g is Saturated Fat and also covers 15% daily value of Vitamin A.
Açaí health benefits:
Apart from being rich in nutrients, Açaí fruit comes with plenty of health benefits. You can consume its pulp in frozen form, use it in juices and smoothies as well as in food supplements and cosmetics. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the health benefits of Acai in detail.
1- Antioxidants:
Açaí berries are loaded with antioxidants. These antioxidants reduce the harmful effects of internal and external factors on the body. Furthermore, it reduces the chance of heart diseases, cancer, and diabetes.
2- Cholesterol levels:
This fruit has zero cholesterol and has no trans-fat. This means it contains HDL, which is healthy cholesterol and prevents arteries from getting clogged. It improves the blood flow and eventually promotes better functioning of the heart functioning. Few pieces of research and studies prove that it helps in reducing LDL cholesterol and prevents strokes. The sterols and anthocyanins in Açaí are responsible for improving cholesterol levels as sterols prevent cholesterol absorption in your body.
3- Improve brain function:
As we discussed earlier, these Berries are rich in antioxidants and antioxidants reduce the damage from stress. Inflammation and oxidation can affect the memory and learning ability of a person whereas Açaí Berries helps in resolving these problems.
4- Anti-cancer effects:
Although these berries are not a cure to treat cancer adequately, they help in stopping cancer cells from spreading and forming. According to research conducted on mice, Açaí pulp had some positive effects on colon and bladder cancer, whereas, in mice with stomach cancer, it showed no such results. It can be helpful in the future for humans as well. However, we still need further study and research to prove its anti-cancer effects in humans.
5- Antiaging Agent:
Because of its high antioxidant properties, many companies use Açaí oil beauty creams, shampoos conditioners, and anti-aging skin therapies. It cleanses the skin and detoxifies it, which does not only improves the functioning of the body organs but also improves blood flow.
6- Weight loss:
Açaí has been known to help in weight loss, but there is no study or evidence to support this fact. However, a healthy diet itself reduce fats in your body and bring it in good shape.
Caution: If you are using frozen pulp from the market, beware of its added ingredients and high sugar content. Also, if you’re allergic to pollen or similar berries, you might want to avoid this fruit.
Conclusion:
All in all, Açaí is full of beneficial nutrients and comes with several health benefits. On top of all these benefits, Açaí Berries are really delicious. So, it’s good to include it in your daily diet. Nutrition experts suggest consuming Açaí in breakfast to get most of its benefits.
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