The Ever-Important Antioxidant
Almost everyone has had the terms antioxidants and free radical before. But not everyone is completely aware of what these are and how they are important. First, you must abandon the idea that free radicals are evil. Free radicals are naturally occurring atoms which are missing an electron from the standard pair. They are useful for many essential purposes including combating invasive bacteria. However, many of our unhealthy routines in life can increase the occurrence of free radicals in our system. This increase can lead to numerous problems such as certain cancers and mental health issues like Alzheimer's. Antioxidants provide the other electron for the pair and reduce the amount of free radicals in your system.
And this is where the acai berry is so incredible. ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) measures how well a food combats free radicals. The avocado, long known for lowering rates of prostate cancer, has an ORAC count of 19. Cranberries, touted as the king of super fruits, measures an astounding 94. But the acai berry has an ORAC count of 610. Go ahead and read that again. It's not a typo. The acai berry doesn't just push the bar, it sets an entirely new standard among super fruits.
Other Healthy Facts About the Acai Berry
The acai is not touted as a super food for nothing. True, its antioxidant content is just unbelievable but it doesn't stop there. Acai contains a component called anthocyanins, the same substance found in red wine, which is effective in fighting coronary heart disease. A decent amount of unsaturated fats can also be found in acai berry. These unsaturated or "good" fats, produce essential fatty acids like Omega-6 which are needed in the body. Acai berry is also a good source of fiber, which is an energy booster.
Is the Acai Berry Deserving of the Title of Super Fruit?
If being a super fruit means having an incredible level of antioxidants as compared to other foods, and an abundance of fiber, anthocyanins, and essential fatty acids, then yes, acai berry is nothing less than a super fruit. Fresh acai may never be available to you unless you visit the specific areas in Brazil where acai is grown but it doesn't mean that you'll miss out on all the nutrients that acai berry can offer. By getting high-quality acai supplements, you can also take advantage of the acai nutritional benefits.
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