Berries Acai, the delicate fruit of the Brazilian palm, are undoubtedly one of the most nutritionally valuable natural products, which in recent years has made waves in the field of dietetics. It is considered a superfood for good reason, as it has a beneficial effect on the body, slowing down ageing processes and generally promoting good physical and mental health.
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What is Acai Berry?
ries
Due to their valuable nutritional properties, they were also used as a valuable food and for prophylactic purposes. Modern research has confirmed that Acai contains huge amounts of important vitamins, minerals, amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants and other essential substances.
Properties and effects of Acai berries
These berries are a real nutritional bomb because they contain a number of vitamins, including A, B, C and E, minerals such as: magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, apart from protein, amino acids and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. In their composition they have much more antioxidants than e.g. grapes, thanks to which they are an effective weapon in fighting free radicals, thus minimising the risk of cancer and delaying the effects of ageing. These valuable ingredients also have a positive effect on our physical and mental condition and the condition and appearance of our skin, hair and nails. Antioxidants also play an important role in strengthening immunity.
The presence of several polyphenols in Acai berries means that their consumption supports the work of the heart and circulatory system. Acai has a positive effect on blood flow by relaxing blood vessels and preventing atherosclerosis, blood clots and coronary artery disease. An important role in these processes is played by compounds called anthocyanins, which also normalize blood cholesterol levels .
It’s impossible not to mention the phytosterols or plant sterols found in Acai Berry, which play a significant role in protecting the condition and functioning of the heart. Finally, it is worth emphasizing the importance of unsaturated fatty acids, whose content in berries is comparable to that in olive oil, and which affect not only cholesterol and glucose levels, but in general are responsible for the proper functioning of key organs – the heart and brain.
Berries Acai should be especially recommended to people who regularly engage in physical activity, because the amino acids they contain significantly strengthen the body, support muscle work and facilitate muscle regeneration, reduce fatigue and stress, and cleanse the body of toxins. Acai also helps with women’s ailments, namely hormonal problems and menstrual pain. For men, on the other hand, the berries bring relief from prostate problems and infertility.
Acai blueberries and weight loss
Blueberries
Firstly, berries contain natural, valuable dietary fibre. It provides a feeling of satiety, so we do not feel hunger between meals and do not reach for fattening snacks. Fiber facilitates digestion, especially of heavy meals, and speeds up metabolism. In addition, it cleanses the body by removing harmful substances accumulated in it.
Secondly, Acai berries not only suppress the appetite, but also intensify metabolism, and the caffeine and chromium contained in them stimulate an extra dose of energy and help break down carbohydrates.
Thirdly, consuming Acai at the same time as a low calorie diet enhances the weight loss process and at the same time provides the body with essential nutrients. So there is no fear of unpleasant health consequences caused by vitamin or mineral deficiencies.
To sum up, Brazilian palm berries suppress the appetite, thus limiting calorie intake, aid digestion and speed up metabolic processes, cleanse the body and have a stimulating effect, which motivates people to be more physically active.
Read also: Green coffee for slimming
Accessibility, or how to consume Acai berries
These berries are small and exceptionally delicate, therefore they are very difficult to transport to the other hemisphere. In Poland, they are available in the form of juice, tablets or powder. In this form they can be bought in pharmacies, health food stores or on the Internet. When it comes to juice, it is best to consume it after a meal, it is also worth paying attention to whether the composition does not contain any additives, for example sugar or alcohol. In turn, taking tablets with Acai is recommended in cases of anemia, because then we provide the body with necessary nutrients in a condensed dose.
The most widely available and popular are freeze-dried fruits, i.e. dried fruits in powder form. Such powder can be added to many dishes, including yogurts, smoothies, desserts, omelettes. It is recommended not to consume more than 2 – 3 teaspoons of berry powder per day. It should be noted that dried Acai berries are not cheap, a package containing only 100 grams costs about 40 zł.
Acai blueberries – opinions
The popularity, and in fact the career of Acai Berry, undoubtedly contributed to the famous television star, Oprah Winfrey, who classified these berries in the group of superfoods. We must admit that due to their unique composition, they certainly deserve this distinction. However, another issue is their role in the process of losing weight, and here opinions are divided. While the nutritional content undoubtedly contributes to improving the condition of the whole body, in the fight to lose weight Acai berries only play a supporting role.
Therefore, if you want to lose weight effectively, it is better to reach for supplements containing not only Acai berries, but also other well-known and valued substances accelerating weight loss. These may include multi-ingredient fat burners such as Silvets. In this type of preparation, the individual ingredients not only work on their own, but also enhance each other’s effects and that is the secret of their effectiveness.
