Açaí - the superfood for the 21st century

Added 26.01.2010

Açaí (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) is a dark purple berry, about the size of a grape, which is native to the Amazon rainforest, most of which grows in Brazil. These berries grow on the açaí palm tree, which can grow as tall as 24 metres. Açaí berries have been consumed for centuries in South America but have only recently caught the attention of the Western world. And caught our attention they have; everybody is raving about açaí, from athletes and housewives to doctors and celebrities.

Why all the rave?

Because they contain a high and varied nutrient content; in fact they are so packed with nutrients that many a people call the açaí berry a superfood. They contain many of the nutrients our body needs every day for optimal health. Before we look at what açaí berries can do for you we would like to tell you what these berries contain.

• Antioxidants: these protect cells from the damaging effects of free radicals - highly reactive chemicals that play a significant role in the development of many diseases including atherosclerosis and cancer. ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) is a method of measuring how effectively antioxidants neutralise free radicals in our body. Açaí berries have one of the highest ORAC values, which make them extremely effective at counteracting free radicals. One group of antioxidants found in açaí are anthocyanidins, which are also found in grapes and grape seed extract, and which give açaí berries their characteristic deep purple colour. Other antioxidants include: polyphenols (procyanidin oligomers, resveratrol, vanillic acid, syringic acid, P-hydroxybenzoic acid, protocatechuic acid and ferulic acid); and flavonoids like homoorientin, orientin, taxifolien and deoxyhexose.
  
• Essential fatty acids: essential fatty acids, as the name implies, are vital not just for our health but for our survival. Açaí is rich in essential fatty acids, in particular omegas 3, 6 (linolenic acid) and 9 (oleic acid), which are beneficial for brain function and cardiovascular health among other things. Palmitic acid is another essential fatty acid found in açaí.
  
• Dietary fibre: açaí is rich in dietary fibre, which is necessary for a healthy digestive and cardiovascular system.
  
• Protein: protein and essential amino acids are vital for energy, muscle strength and endurand and açaí berries are packed with quality proteins. Aspartic acid and glutamic acid are examples of amino acids in açaí.
  
• Phytosterols: Açaí berries contain phytosterols or plant sterols, natural plant compounds that help to regulate cholesterol levels. One such phytosterol found in açaí is beta-sitosterol.
  
• Vitamins and minerals: Açaí is also loaded with vitamins and minerals such as: vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, E; calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc, phosphorous and potassium.