Acai Berry Composition

The Acai berry is one of the world’s most unique foods. It may also be one of the healthiest. Acai berries come from the Acai palm tree of South America. The native peoples of Brazil have consumed the berry for centuries, and there are many testimonials to its incredible healing and sustaining powers. In the last few years Acai berry products have made their way to foreign shores. Acai has a vibrant taste that most people find pleasant. The flavor of has been described as comparable to chocolate-covered cherries, or blueberry ice cream with a hint of chocolate.

The nutritional facts relating to the Açai berry are impressive. It possesses:

Anthocyanins

Acai berries contain an extremely high concentration of anthocyanins – 30 times that of red wine. One of the many attributes of anthocyanins is their anti-inflammatory qualities. Studies have shown that anthocyanins can help prevent blood clots, improve blood circulation, relax blood vessels, and prevent artherosclerosis. But researchers have also discovered a whole host of other powerful effects related to anthocyanins, including antiviral and antiallergenic properties. One study even suggests that anthocyanins can inhibit cancer cell growth and even promoted cancer cell death.

Antioxidants

Antioxidant levels in Acai berry pulp are 50 times higher than mangoes, 10 to 30 times higher than red wine grapes, 3 times higher than blueberries and 3 times higher than pomegranates.

Amino acids

The Acai fruit has 19 amino acids – an almost perfect essential amino acid complex (the “building blocks” of protein).

Protein

One 100 gram serving of Acai contains 8 grams of protein.

Essential fatty acids and omegas

High levels of essential fatty acids and omegas are present in Acai pulp. There is 60% oleic acid (omega 9), a monounsaturated essential fatty acid that helps to lower LDL (harmful cholesterol), while maintaining HDL (beneficial cholesterol). There is 12% linoleic acid (omega 6), a polyunsaturated essential fatty acid that has also been found to lower LDL, while maintaining HDL.

Dietary fiber

Acai contains a significant amount of dietary fiber.

Trace minerals

High amounts of trace minerals (e.g. Co, Cr, Cu, Mo…) and macro minerals (Ca, Fe, Mg, P and Zn).

Vitamins

An abundance of vitamins including vitamins E, A, B1-3, C.

Phytosterols

Many valuable phytosterols. Sterols are compounds of plant cell membranes providing numerous benefits to the body, including a reduction of blood plasma cholesterol levels, protect the immune system, and protect against prostate enlargement.

Nutritional content

Most of the research to on the nutritional content of Acai has centered on a particular freeze-dried form known as Opti-Acai. This powder preparation (per 100 g of extract) of freeze-dried Acai fruit pulp and skin contains 533.9 calories, 52.2 g of carbohydrates, 8.1 g of protein, and 32.5 g of total fat. There is 44.2 g of fiber. The powder also contains 260 mg calcium, 4.4 mg iron, and 1002 U vitamin A, as well as aspartic acid and glutamic acid. The amino acid content is 7.6% of total dry weight.

Fats
Acai berry has a high content of fats, including oleic acid (56.2% of total), palmitic acid (24.1% of total), and linoleic acid (12.5% of total). Acai also contains high levels of beta-sitosterol (78–91% of total sterols). These oil components include high contents of polyphenols such as procyanidin oligmers and vanillic acid, syringic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, protocatechuic acid, and ferulic acid which degrade appreciably during storage or exposure to heat.

Antioxidants
Freeze-dried Acai fruit pulp and skin contains 3.19 mg/g of anthocyanins. The powdered preparation also contains twelve flavonoid-like compounds, including homoorientin, orientin, taxifolin, deoxyhexose, isovitexin, scoparin, as well as proanthocyanidins (12.89 mg/g), and low levels of resveratrol (1.1 ?g/g).

See also: The Amazing Acai Berry