A few years ago, the word “acai” hit health food store shelves in bulk as dozens of products gleaned onto the benefits of this Central and South American fruit. Acai berries come from the palm tree of the same name and owe their deep red or purple color to the anthocyanins that also bless it with helpful healing properties. While eaten whole, acai berries may have similar benefits to other dark fruits, research has proven the antioxidant levels stay higher than normal after the preservation process.
What’s the Deal with Anthocyanins?
Anthocyanins are antioxidants that create a dark color in fresh fruits and vegies. The darker the fruit, the higher the antioxidant count. Other berries with high antioxidant counts include blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, cranberries and raspberries. Eaten fresh, all these fruits will help the body fight off the harmful free radicals that lead to health problems like cancer or heart disease.
Many foods lose a portion of their nutritional value after processing. Eating raw fruits and vegetables maximizes your potential health benefits. Acai berries have been found to have higher antioxidants after processing than other fruits, making acai berry products a better potential source for the super food benefits associated with foods high in anthocyanins.
What Can Antioxidants Do for You?
Whenever the body processes certain foods or pollutants, it creates toxins called free radicals. These groups of atoms stay in your tissue and lead to problems with body function and irregular growth. Free radicals are the cause behind many life-threatening conditions and signs of early aging.
Antioxidants interact safely with free radicals, allowing them to leave your body. The major antioxidants are Vitamins A and C and beta-carotene. The human body does not make these substances so an outside source must be located. Fresh fruits and vegetables are an easy, efficient way of supplying antioxidants to the body, as are high-quality acai berry products.
While these helpful fruits are still somewhat new to health and diet enthusiasts, their promise cannot go ignored. The level of antioxidants present in acai berry products after the fruits have been processed is higher than any other anthocyanin-laden fruit. This means users have the potential for more healthful benefits choosing an acai-based product over other kinds of supplements, including pomegranate or blueberry. Start on the road to optimal health today with the supplements to suit your body’s needs.
