Powerful Anti-Aging Effects of the Acai Berry

People everywhere are looking for answers to the problems of aging. There are obvious lifestyle choices to stave off the effects of aging, like plenty of exercise and a healthy diet. As part of the anti-aging arsenal, foods with very specific properties are becoming increasingly popular. Such “super foods” contain antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties.

Acai is a berry that grows on palm trees in the Brazilian rainforests. The berry is a deep purple color, and is rich in important nutrients such as protein, fiber, fatty acids, and vitamins. Studies show that Acai has extremely high levels of antioxidants, and has the greatest concentration of anthocyanins and omega fatty acids of any known edible plant. These antioxidants help in reducing cholesterol levels in blood, and also neutralise free radicals in the body. The Acai berry is now recognized as one of the foremost super-foods for anti-aging.

The free radical problem

Millions of biochemical interactions take place in the body on a daily basis. The bi-products of some of these interactions are called “free radicals”. These free radicals react with health living cells damaging the DNA and other cellular components. This process can trigger disease processes and accelerate aging. So by counteracting the formation of free radicals Acai helps cells stay in health condition for longer, slowing the aging process.

Antioxidants in Acai

As the body ages, it becomes increasingly susceptible to the long-term effects of “oxidative stress”. Antioxidants help the body to fight off the effects of oxidative stress, which is involved in many degenerative diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s. Foods are assigned a value, known as ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity). ORAC is a measure of how effective the antioxidants within that food are in combating oxidative stress. The higher the ORAC value the better.

Studies have shown that freeze dried Acai berries maintain their anti-oxidant properties, enabling them to be stored for extended periods of time. Freeze dried Acai’s ORAC rating is over 4 times that of the next highest fruit (the wild blueberry). Doctors recommend an intake of 3000 – 5000 ORAC units per day, which, given the relatively low ORAC values of traditional fruits, can be a challenge. With freeze dried Acai, meeting such a quota is no problem.

With a value of 1,026, Acai boasts the highest ORAC score of any fruit or vegetable tested to date. By comparison, Acai has more than 10 times the antioxidant content of cranberries. It is the leader among other well-known antioxidant plants, such as blueberries, grapes, red wine, green tea, and pomegranates.

Amino acids in Acai

The amino acids and trace minerals that are found in Acai aid muscle regeneration; this helps slow down the destructive effects of UV light which contribute to the aging of the skin, for example.

Fatty acids in Acai

The Acai berry is high in monounsaturated Oleic acid (Omega 9) and Linoleic acid (Omega 6) which are known to play a key role in the maintenance of cell membranes. Healthy, supple cell membranes are needed for optimal organ function and to keep inflammation at bay. Inflammation is a leading cause of the aging process. Oleic and Linoleic acids help lower LDL (harmful cholesterol), while maintaining HDL ( beneficial cholesterol).

Polypherols in Acai

Polyphenols are a class of powerful antioxidants. It has been estimated that Acai has 20-30 times the anthocyanins levels found in red wine. Polypherols are believed to have anticancer properties. They can also benefit the immune system, itself key in fighting cancer and other diseases.

Phytosterols in Acai

Acai also contains phytosterols. Phytosterols provide numerous including the reduction of blood plasma cholesterol levels.

Anthocyanins in Acai

The Acai Berry is a valuable source of a class of flavonoids called anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are a group of phytochemicals found for example in red wine. The Acai berry contains 10-30 times the amounts of anthocyanins contained in red wine. Anthocyanins have been shown to deliver numerous health benefits including the amelioration of diabetic retinopathy, and fibrocystic disease of the breast in human. Other potential benefits from anthocyanins include vasoprotection and anti-inflammatory effects.

Anthocyanins also neutralize enzymes that destroy connective tissue. Their antioxidant capacity prevents oxidants from damaging connective tissues and repair damaged proteins in the blood-vessel walls.

By preventing tyrosine nitration, the anthocyanins in Acai may help protect against neurological diseases. The principal anthocyanins in Acai, known as Cyanidin-3-glucoside, have been found to promote the reversal of age related neurological problems.

The ability of anthocyanins to neutralize oxidants make them useful in helping to combat arteriosclerosis. Even in trace amounts, anthocyanins can protect against LDL oxidation. Anthocyanins augment the integrity of the endothelial cells that line blood vessel walls and thus help to maintain a healthy circulation. Anthocyanins may also help improve eyesight.

Vitamins and minerals in Acai

Acai has a high content of vitamin B1, B2, B3, E, C, and Phosphorus, Calcium, Potassium, and Iron.

See also: The Amazing Acai Berry