Benefits of Acai Berry

Nature never ceases to amaze us. With all of the advancement in modern medicine, man still could never equal what nature has to offer. A few years ago, a relatively know plant was discovered in the Amazon, the acai berry. Scientific test show that this lowly berry has numerous healing and wellness powers even the biggest pharmaceutical companies could probably never match.

Some people regard the acai berry as a miracle fruit. And it does deserve to be called as such. Apart from its unique tropical flavor it is a very nutritionally dense berry and may be one of the healthiest foods on the planet.� It has antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic properties and has been used for hundreds of years in the Amazon to build the immune system, combat infections, protect the heart and as an energy booster when hunting.

The acai berry is a good source of anthocyanins, flavonoids, fiber, photosterols, vitamin E, theobromine, plant sterols to name a few that have already been identified. A wide range of benefits are associated with any or a combination of these substances.

Did you know that olive oil and red wine are probably the reasons why the incidence of heart disease is low in Mediterranean countries? Studies show that the acai berry contains the same properties as red wine that helps control fats in the blood and has fatty acids similar to olive oil and helps promote cardiovascular health. Apart from this, acai berry also contains high amounts of fiber that not only helps lower blood cholesterol but also reduces the risk of developing some types of cancer. Acai berry also contains phytosterols that help promote a healthy cardiovascular system and along with its high fiber content contributes to better digestion. If these aren't good enough, the sterols in acai berry are being used to treat benign prostate dyperplasia and some studies report that acai berry initiates a self-destruct mechanism in cancer cells.

Acai berry is also rich in the antioxidant, antocyanins and vitamin E that combat free radicals and prevents premature ageing. The substances found in acai berry also helps the body burn fat faster and helps shed those unwanted pounds. It also has high protein and carbohydrate content which provides you with the energy while working out and theobromine which acts as a bronchial dilator and increases oxygen intake capacity which in turn increases endurance, strength, and athletic performance. No wonder acai berry is served in many gyms and sports club in Brazil!

The acai berry is packed with health giving properties. The best part is, scientists have only scratched the surface when it comes to what this little berry can do. Without a doubt, acai berry has more to offer considering that it has other compounds that have yet to be studied.