Acai berries have recently gained massive popularity for being beneficial to health and wellbeing. 

This dark purple Brazilian “superfruit” contains a high amount of antioxidants, which helps slow down the aging process, improve digestion, support weight loss, boost skin health, and improve heart health and more. They are also known to boost your energy levels and your immune system.

In this article, we shall discuss Acai berries in detail and show you their plethora of benefits and how they are used in supplements to help boost health and overall wellbeing.

What are Acai Berries?

Acai berries are round fruits that originate from the acai palm, which is commonly found in the Amazon Basin. There are eight major species of acai berries, all of which are grown primarily in floodplains and swamps.

This fruit is a major staple food of the indigenous tribes in the Amazon rainforest, and its high nutritional value makes it an important addition to their diet. Sometimes, Acai berries make up over 25% of their overall food volume intake.

These berries have an earthy taste, which is often described to be in between unsweetened chocolate and blackberries.

The large seed in the middle of the berry makes up about 80% of the fruit, but the remaining skin, pulp, and endocarp are loaded with beneficial nutrients.

According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, acai berries contain dietary fiber, carbohydrates, healthy fats, protein, and may contain minerals and vitamins. The minerals include iron, calcium, potassium, and sodium, while the vitamins include vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E.

Interestingly, acai berries are currently one of the most popular organic solutions to a wide range of health ailments, and it is actively used in alternative medicine.

All varieties offer benefits to health, but the white varieties are not as potent as the dark or purple varieties.

The fresh acai berries have a short life span and they can be hard to find outside where they are grown, so most times, as an export, you find them in dried powder, frozen fruit puree or pressed juice.

Acai Detox is one natural product made with acai berries and 10 other superfoods that offers anti-aging, weight loss, and detoxifying benefits.

Now, let’s dive into the numerous ways acai berries support health and overall wellbeing.

Health Benefits of Acai Berries

Here are the most researched health benefits of this nutrient-rich superfruit:

Acai Berries are Loaded with Antioxidants

Antioxidants help neutralize the damaging effect of free radicals produced in the body. Research has shown that if free radicals are not neutralized, it can lead to the development of diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.  

Taking Acai berries in its fresh form or as supplements supplies your body with a good amount of antioxidants, which helps protect against diseases, reduce signs of aging, boost your immunity and mood, and overall health.

One study conducted in 2008 showed that taking acai pulp, applesauce or acai juice raised the participants’ antioxidant level, showing that the active compounds in the fruit are well absorbed by the gut.

Acai Berries May Aid Digestion

Acai berries contain high fiber content which might support digestion and the absorption of nutrients from food. Consuming acai berries can bulk up the bowel movement, reducing constipation and digestive issues, and keeping the excretory processes regular.

Also, fiber-rich acai berries may bulk up your stool reducing your chances of suffering diarrhea.

Acai Berries May Regulate Blood Pressure

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that acai berries contain plenty of plant sterols which work as vasodilators, relaxing the blood vessels to reduce blood pressure. These active components may prevent blood clot, which is associated with heart attacks and strokes.

Taking acai berries generally improves blood circulation and oxygenation and this helps all parts of your body get a good share of nutrients contained in the foods you eat.

Acai Berries May Support Weight Loss

Anecdotal evidence has shown that the pulp of acai berries may support weight loss. More so, these superfruit might not only stimulate weight loss, but also help maintain a healthy weight by reducing the impact of high-fat diets.

Little wonder, acai berries have been used widely as an effective weight loss supplement. One study showed that 30 days of consuming acai berries may produce lower levels of fasting insulin and blood glucose level.

The high fiber content of acai berries may also help keep you fuller and reduce appetite, thereby reducing your chances of overeating and weight gain.

Acai Berries May Delay Signs of Aging

The high amount of antioxidants in acai berries may help slow down the aging process. These antioxidants remove the action of free radicals that causes the breakdown of your skin, eye, hair, and even teeth.

So regular consumption of acai berries slows down your aging process. More so, acai berries are beneficial against hyperpigmentation, cellular oxidative damage and various types of inflammation.

You can either load up with acai berry juice or supplements in the form of a capsule.

Acai Berries May Boost Immunity

Apart from the antioxidant properties of acai berries which help fight free radicals, these fruits are also rich in vitamin C, which is widely known to boost immunity and support overall health.

Acai Berries May boost energy levels

Acai berry extract is commonly used as a supplement to boost energy and combat fatigue and mental exhaustion.

One study conducted in 2015 showed how the active compounds in acai berries help to boost the performance of elite athletes.

Acai Berries May Support Skin Health

The antioxidant properties of acai berries may also help in skincare. Many cosmetic products contain acai oil which offers antioxidant effects to relieve irritation and redness and leaves your skin moisturized.

Ingesting acai berries in the form of capsules also gives the skin a healthy, natural glow. In Brazil, for example, the pulp of acai berries has been used for generations to tackle a number of skin diseases and conditions.

Acai Berries May Improve Cardiovascular Health

Acai berries support cardiovascular health in many ways. These fruits may contain a high level of anthocyanins, which are antioxidants that help in the regulation of blood cholesterol by reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol.

When you take a good amount of acai berries combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise, you can reduce your risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke.

Acai Berries May Have Aphrodisiac Benefits

Although acai berries are not directly used for sex drive and stamina, their ability to increase the circulation of blood throughout the body makes them beneficial for this function.

It is widely established that a lack of blood flow is a major cause of erectile dysfunction and poor sexual stamina. Taking acai berry capsules or juice is now widely used as an alternative medicine for helping people tackle this condition.

Acai Berries May Improve Brain Function

Acai berries contain several compounds that help protect your brain from damage as you grow older.  One way in which the brain stays healthy is through proper cleanup of the cells that are toxic or no longer working normally, a process known as autophagy.

This process supports the formation of new nerve cells, which boosts communication between brain cells. However, as you age, this function drops in efficiency.

But taking acai berries has been shown by research to stimulate this “housekeeping” response in the cells of the brain.

Final Remark

Acai berries are loaded with antioxidant and health-boosting compounds that support your gut, heart, brain, skin, and overall health. They are also rich in fiber, which makes them a generally healthy food to add to your diet.

You can enjoy acai berries as a smoothie, in juices and frozen purees, or dietary supplements in the form of capsules.

You can add Acai Detox to your routine and take the capsules morning and evening to enjoy the detoxifying and anti-aging benefits as well as other functions described above.

Read also - Natural Ways to Lose Weight

Mike Miryala, Head Pharmacist at CoBionic