Acai Berries - Amazonian Superfood
What is acai?
Acai berries (ah-sigh-ee) are dark purple berries that grow on the branches of skinny palm trees in the Amazon Rainforest of Brazil.
On the outside, these berries look a lot like blueberries. They are around the same size and have a similar color.
On the inside, they have a large seed that accounts for most of the size of the berry.
Acai berries have a very unique and distinct flavor - like a blend of chocolate and berries.
Mmm, sounds absolutely delicious, doesn't it?
The berries are very delicate. They don't last very long after they are harvested.
If the harvesters do not process them within 24 hours after they are picked, they will rot.
That's the reason why you can't buy whole acai berries in stores. You will only find acai in its processed form as juice, powder, or frozen pulp.
Here's How Acai Is Processed
The berries are soaked in water to soften and loosen the pulp. Next, the pulp is separated from the seeds. The purple pulp is then pasteurized before it is freeze dried or frozen.
Fortunately, the nutrients in acai are not damaged by these methods of processing.
These purple berries have been getting a lot of press and publicity lately. That's not surprising because they've got an amazing nutritional profile.
Nutrients in Acai
Acai is full of the kind of nutrients that promotes a healthy body. Here is what you will find:
Antioxidants - Acai is very, very high in anthocyanins (purple colored antioxidants). Amazingly, these exotic berries have several times the amount of antioxidants found in other berries and fruit including blueberries and pomegranates. In fact, they have the highest antioxidant score (ORAC value) of all fruits and vegetables.
Monounsaturated fats - Monounsaturated fats are the same kind of fats that you get in olive oil. Eating these kinds of fats will help you to have a healthy cardiovascular system.
Essential Fatty acids - Acai contains Omega-3, -6, and -9 essential fatty acids.
Vitamins and minerals - including Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamins B1, B2, B3, calcium, phosphorus, manganese, iron, thiamine, copper, trace minerals, and others.
Phytosterols - Phytosterols benefit your body in so many different ways. They help to reduce your cholesterol levels and are good for prostate and urinary tract health.
Acai also contains 19 amino acids and an abundance of dietary fiber.
What an amazing nutritional profile!
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