Acai Berry Nutrition Information

Acai berry is heavily promoted as a superfood and for a good reason. This tiny grape-like fruit, which comes from the acai palm tree, is said to improve heart health, increase fat burning and slow down aging, among other benefits. Rich in polyphenols, it supportsimmune functionand protects against oxidative damage. If you enjoy working out, the acai fruit may help yourecover faster from trainingand reduce muscle breakdown.

This Brazilian "superfruit" has been making headlines as one of the most nutritious foods on earth. It's widely used in weight-loss formulas, dietary supplements, energy drinks and everything in between. You can enjoy it raw in smoothies and fruit salads, add it to your favorite deserts or use it in powder form.

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The acai seed, which is something most people throw away, makes up about80 percent of the fruit. Most vitamins and antioxidants are found in its skin and flesh. High inanthocyanins and polyphenols, acai berry is considered a functional food. It protects against inflammation, supportscardiovascular functionand may prevent cancer cells from spreading.

A popular way to enjoy this fruit is tomake an acai bowl. In general, this recipe calls for acai puree or acai berry powder, frozen berries, bananas, rolled oats, raw honey, fruit juice and various nuts or seeds.

Acai bowls arequite high in carbs, though. Depending on the ingredients used, this beloved treat can be asugar bomb. Enjoy it in moderation and consider using unsweetened açaí berries and/or swap juice for water to cut down on carbs.

Read more:6 Easy Smoothie Breakfast Bowls

The acai fruit packs both flavor and nutrition. It's naturally sweet and tastes like a blend of berries and chocolate, so you can use it in homemade desserts or as a snack between meals.One serving of acai berry pureeprovides:

• 40 calories
• 1 gram of protein
• 3 grams of carbs
• 3 grams of fiber
• 3 grams of fat
• 60 milligrams of potassium
• 0.36 milligrams of iron
• 20 milligrams of calcium

This superfood islower in carbs than most fruits. Amedium banana, by comparison, has 105 calories and 26.9 grams of carbs.One serving of cherriesboasts 88 calories and 22.4 grams of carbs, whilestrawberriesdeliver 47 calories and 11.2 grams of carbs per serving.

What makes the acai fruit stand out is高的抗氧化值. This functional food boasts large doses of ferulic acid, ellagic acid, resveratrol andother polyphenols. It also contains traces ofomega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids, such as linoleic acid and oleic acid. You'll also getB-complex vitamins, iron, potassium, copper and other micronutrients that support overall health.

The potential health benefits of acai berries are attributed to their antioxidant properties. According to a June 2015 pilot study published in the journalBiology of Sport, these fruits may helpreduce exercise-induced muscle damage and improve blood lipids.

Junior hurdlers who consumed an acai berry-based juice blend daily for six weeks experienced an increase in blood antioxidant capacity along with major improvements in triglycerides and cholesterol levels. Their sprint performance remained unchanged.

Acai berries have been also studied for theirprotective effects on bone mass. The bioactive compounds in these fruitsregulate the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which may help inhibitosteoclastogenesis, a process that contributes to bone loss.

Furthermore, the acai fruitpromotes wound healingby suppressing the activation of TNF-α and other reactive oxygen species, according to a study featured inToxicological Research2017年6月。这项研究是在老鼠身上进行,但it highlights the fruit's antioxidant activity.

A recent review, which appeared inPlos Onein July 2018, describes the anticarcinogenic properties of acai berries. Research shows that this fruit是安全的,可以预防癌症发展吗. Acai berry has been shown to inhibit tumor growth, reduce cancer cell proliferation and inhibit cancer progression. It appears to be particularly effective against esophageal and colon cancer due to its anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative action.

This fruit is marketed as a natural weight-loss aid. Unfortunately, clinical research doesn't support these claims.

Acai berry boasts high antioxidant levels and has its place in a balanced diet. However, it's not a magic bullet for fat loss. While it does contain monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), a type of fat that may help you get leaner, you'd need to consume it in huge amounts to reap the benefits.

Acai berries are not calorie-free. If you eat too much of them, the calories will add up. These fruits can improve your health and well-being, butthis doesn't mean they promote weight loss. Enjoy them in moderation as part of a calorie-controlled diet, but don't go overboard.

Read more:10 Trendy Health Foods That Can Threaten Your Waistline

This antioxidant-rich food may benefit those who have obesity, though. In a November 2016 study published in theAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition, men with obesity who drank acai-based smoothies experienced greater improvements in vascular function than those consuming a smoothie matching their macronutrient needs.

Therefore, acai berriesmay lower the risk of obesity-related cardiovascular problems. These potential benefits were attributed to their high content of polyphenols.

As you age, your brain becomes less efficient at storing and processing information, forming neural connections and creating new memories. These changes may be partly due tooxidative damage, according to theJournal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. Another possible cause isinflammation, which affects the glial cells that protect your neurons.

The antioxidants in acai berry scavenge oxidative stress and may improve brain function. A study published in the journalNutritionin July-August 2014 suggests that acai may haveprotective effects on the brain cells.

Another study, which was posted inNutritional Neurosciencein November 2015, has found that acai supplementation reduced inflammation and reversed age-related cognitive deficits in older rats. These findings were attributed to thepolyphenols and anti-inflammatory compoundsin the acai fruit.

Both studies were conducted on animals. However, they suggest that acai berry may improve brain health and protect against neurodegenerative disorders. More research is needed to confirm its effects on humans.

This delicious fruit is generally safe but not for people who areallergic to berries. Beware, though, thatacai juicemay be infected withTrypanosoma cruzi, a parasite from the Amazon region.

This microorganism has been linked tooutbreaks of Chagas' disease. Over the past years, several people developed symptoms associated with this infection after drinking acai juice. Pasteurization is the only way to destroy this parasite.

Also, beware that acai berries canaffect the results of MRI scans. If you eat this fruit or drink its juice before having an MRI, let your doctor know about it.