Acai berry is one of the more nutritious and powerful foods on the planet. Harvested in the rainforests of Brazil, Acai tastes like a mix of berries and chocolate. Hidden within its purple pigment is what makes it the perfect energy fruit. Acai is packed full of antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids. You probably won’t find it in your local supermarket, but you may have better luck at health food stores, or from the many products springing up online.

The benefits of Acai are purported to be good for detoxing and maintaining optimal health for balancing your pH level. Proper pH balance is vital to our immune health and for disease prevention and correction. Other benefits you’ll enjoy:

• Acai has a high concentration of antioxidants that combat premature aging. It has 10 times the antioxidants that red grapes have, and as much as 30 times the anthocyanins of red wine. Anthocyanins may have antioxidant effects, possibly fighting cancer, diabetes, and bacterial infections, to name a few.
• Healthy monounsaturated fats, dietary fiber and phytosterols together help promote cardiovascular and digestive health.
• An amino acid complex in conjunction with valuable trace minerals, help with muscular health.

Recent media coverage by the Oprah Winfrey Show, Rachael Ray, ABC, NBC and CBS shows have touted the many benefits of acai. And doctors and celebrities have heralded acai as the number 1 Superfood. The extremely high concentration of antioxidants, omega fatty acids, amino acids, fiber and other nutrients are the reason this super food has so many benefits. In summary, here are just some of the many benefits that acai berry can help with:

• Promote weight loss
• Increase energy and stamina
• Fight heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other diseases
• Boost the immune system
• Improve the digestive system
• Reduce the effects of aging
• Improve vision
• Increase sex drive

Acai has an extremely high concentration of fiber and omega fatty acids. It also contains a healthy dose of amino acids, carbohydrates and vitamins. These nutrients have been shown to:

• suppress appetite
• reduce accumulation of body fat
• boost metabolism
• increase energy and stamina

Approximately 40% of the acai fruit is fiber. There are many benefits from fiber. Since fiber tends to make a meal feel larger and linger longer, it acts as a natural appetite suppressant. And since it helps stabilize blood sugar, it helps keep energy levels stable and higher by preventing sugar crashes. This also helps reduce accumulation of body fat by preventing insulin spikes which can turn excess blood sugar into fat tissue.

The omega fatty acids, fiber, amino acids and vitamins in acai can also help to boost metabolism. And a boost in metabolism can help burn more calories — even at rest.

Combined with a proper diet and exercise, the various nutrients in acai can be a great aid to weight loss and better overall health.
Acai has become legendary among Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighters, top surfers and other athletes for it’s ability to boost energy and increase stamina. Legendary Jiu-Jitsu fighters Carlos and Royce Gracie have used acai to propel them to multiple UFC and other championships. And 6 time world champion surfer Kelly Slater made acai an important part of his diet. If world class athletes can use acai to boost energy and stamina in competition, it can certainly help you with your training or exercise regimen. And the more energy you have, the more calories you can burn in your workout.

The right combination of nutrients eaten at regular intervals will help keep energy levels high. And the high concentration of carbohydrates, proteins and healthy fats in acai help to fuel activity while the high concentration of fiber helps to regulate blood sugar levels and keep energy levels higher for longer.

Recently the media has portrayed acai as the number 1 super food. This is because the very high concentration of antioxidants, omega fatty acids and other good fats, carbs, fiber, amino acids and other nutrients is responsible for the many health benefits that acai has to offer. Below is a nutritional analysis of some quality freeze dried acai products such as the ones offered on this website:

Nutritional analysis (per 100g):

Carbohydrate 52.2g
Fat 32.5g
Amino acids 8.1g
Antioxidants **
Phytosterols **
** Micronutrient — not a significant contribution by weight

Most of the media attention that has surrounded acai has been due to its extremely high level of antioxidants. However the carbohydrates (and fiber), “good” fats, amino acids and phytosterols also play a huge roll in the benefits of acai.

From the above analysis you can see the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, amino acids and other nutrients in acai. Below we will take a look at these components and discuss the benefits of each.

Acai is considered by many as the number one super food because of the high concentration of antioxidants, fiber, “good” fats and other nutrients. These nutrients may help provide the following health benefits:

Prevent cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack, stroke, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, etc) by:

• lowering blood cholesterol (fiber, beta-sitosterol)
• reducing blood pressure (oleic acid)
• reducing oxidative stress (antioxidants)
• general (polyphenols)

Prevent diabetes by:

• lowering glucose levels (fiber)
• reducing oxidative stress (antioxidants)

Reduce chance of:

• cancers (oleic acid, anthocyanins, polyphenols)
• colorectal cancer (fiber)
• leukemia (see university study) (antioxidants)
• Prevent Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s (antioxidants)
• Boost the immune system (antioxidants)
• Aid in recovery of muscle damage from oxidative stress due to exercise (antioxidants)
• Prevent neurological diseases (antioxidants, anthocyanins)
• Reduce bacterial infections (anthocyanins)
• Reduce afflictions due to chronic inflammation like rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, etc (anthocyanins)
• Prevent damage to connective tissue (anthocyanins)
• Repair damaged blood vessel walls (anthocyanins)
• Improve vision (anthocyanins)
• Resist aging effects due to oxidative stress (anthocyanins)
• Prevent/relieve constipation (fiber)
• Aid in weight loss (fiber)
• Improve wound healing and prevent dry hair, hair loss (linoleic acid)