Acai Berry

Acai Berry is native to Latin America grown predominantly in Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador, and other neighbouring countries.

In recent years there has been increased interest in the health benefits of exotic fruits and berries. This is due to the rise of various difficult to treat chronic disorders.

Studies show that this exotic berry from South America is especially rich in bioactive compounds with various health benefits. Although researchers are still studying its health effects, they believe that most of its health benefits of Acai Berry are due to its content of micronutrients, Vitamin C, and phenolic compounds.¹

Health Benefits of Acai Berry

Below are some of the better-known health benefits of Acai Berry:

Antioxidant

Berries like Acai Berry are packed with antioxidants and they have an exceptionally high content of polyphenol compounds. Studies show that Acai Berries have potent free radical scavenging activity, which may have lots to do with its content of anthocyanin. Thus, Acai Berry is good for preventing and managing age-related chronic ailments.²

Heart Health

Acai Berry is good for heart health and it helps boost cardiovascular health in multiple ways. It is especially good due to its content of polyphenols, micronutrients, and dietary fibre. Additionally, Acai Berry may have cholesterol-lowering action. It also has anti-obesity properties. Acai Berry also appears to upregulate nitric oxide production and lower inflammation. Further, it may also assist due to its ability to reduce insulin resistance. Finally, regular consumption of Acai Berry may also help prevent metabolic disorders.²^,³

Lowers Cholesterol

High cholesterol is one of the major causes of blocked arteries and cardiovascular diseases. High cholesterol also increases the risk of heart attack and stroke in a person. Studies show that Acai Berry may have mild cholesterol-lowering action. Additionally, it also appears to lower inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein. In one of the studies in 10 overweight individuals, introduction of Acai Berry had a mild cholesterol-lowering effect in individuals who consumed 100 grams of Acai pulp daily for one month.⁴

Boosts Brain Function

In the last few decades, brain disorders like dementia have become a significant cause of concern. Dementia is now the leading cause of disability and even mortality in some western nations. At present, there is no way to effectively manage these conditions. Researchers think that dietary measures may help prevent or delay the onset of brain disorders. Acai Berry consumption seems promising. It appears to help maintain cognition, learning abilities and reduce neuronal cell death. It seems to help due to its content of various anthocyanins and phenolic compounds.⁵

Possible Anti-Cancer Effect

Cancer is among the top causes of mortality, and it still remains challenging to treat. Researchers know that certain dietary patterns are associated with a lower incidence of cancer and so it would appear that high consumption of Acai Berries may help prevent cancer in many cases. Some early research indicates that Acai pulp or juice may have a role in preventing colon and urinary bladder cancer.⁶^,⁷

Good for Bone Health

Some early experimental studies show that consumption of Acai Berries may help prevent bone loss. This action is attributed to its ability to inhibit osteoclasts activity. Therefore, it may be good for postmenopausal women and older adults, and may have a role in osteoporosis prevention.⁸

Side Effects of Acai Berry

Acai Berry is suitable for regular consumption in moderate amounts. As humans have consumed it in certain parts of the world for a long time, there are no severe or known side effects of Acai Berry consumption. However, a word of caution is that most of its health benefits are mild and supported by experimental studies.

Properties

Anti-Aging²
Anti-Inflammatory²
Antioxidant²
Bone Strengthening⁸
Brain Function / Neuroprotective⁵
Cancer Prevention⁶ ^,⁷
Cardiovascular Support⁴
Cholesterol⁴
Concentration⁵
Dementia Prevention⁵
Heart Support / Health²^,³
High/Good Levels of Fibre¹
High/Good Levels of Polyphenols¹
High/Good Levels of Vitamin C¹
Menopause²^,⁸
Oxidation Reduction²
Weight Loss / Management¹

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