133 Acai Facts: Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, And Much More

Acai berry is one of the modern 'superfoods' that are consumed widely by individuals for their perceived health benefits.

The acai berry is a reddish-purple, inch-long fruit. The large seed makes up about 80% of the fruit, but the flesh and skin, which make up the remaining 20%, are packed with vitamins and other nutrients.

Like other berries, acai is packed with antioxidants, full of fiber, a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, and rich in calcium. Some proponents refer to them as superfoods, suggesting that they can aid with a variety of health issues. These berries contain anthocyanin that has been found to have an anti-inflammatory effect and may also assist with arthritis. A diet dominant in fiber and vitamins coupled with physical activities helps in weight loss and lower blood cholesterol levels. They also help with signs of aging, acne, and other skin-related issues. Consuming these berries has shown numerous health benefits both in children and adults. These berries definitely live up to their nickname 'purple gold'.

Whether you like to enjoy freeze-dried acai berries or want to add them to dark chocolate, there is no limitation on the ways you can enjoy acai berries. If you are someone who prefers topical application of these berries, then there is the option of acai oil or acai body creams.

Read on to know more about the health benefits bestowed by the antioxidants on the human body. Afterwards, also check figs nutrition facts and jackfruit nutrition facts.

Facts About Acai

Looking to lose those extra pounds you have put on during the festive season? Well, along with an intense workout you also need to take care of your diet. Foods rich in antioxidants can help you with your weight loss efforts. Acai berry is one such berry that is loaded with antioxidants. Here are some extremely interesting facts about Acai that you must check:

The taste of Acai powder has overtones of raspberry, pomegranate, and a dash of dirt, and is described as slightly tangy with an earthy backbone. Acai berries have strong acidity, making them a suitable match with sweeter fruits, honey, or other sweets.

Anthocyanin is the pigment that gives the acai berry its deep purple hue. It’s a plant pigment that also serves as an antioxidant.

According to one study, frequent consumption of anthocyanin can cut the risk of a heart attack in young and middle-aged women by 32%.

Acai berries have three times the amount of antioxidants found in blueberries.

Acai oil is used in cosmetics and beauty goods like facial and body lotions, shampoos, and conditioners.

The fruit has a chocolate flavor because of the earthy aftertaste. The polyphenols included in acai berries may be responsible for the chocolate flavor.

Acai berries are considered as 'purple gold' due to their golden benefits for maintaining brain health, muscle, and bone strength as well as a healthy heart.

Acai berries are also used in making ice-creams and jellies. This is the best way to make your children consume these berries in a delicious and wholesome manner.

Ryan and Jeremy Black, two brothers native of Southern California, along with their friend Edmund Nichols started the export of these special little berries to the United States around 10 years ago. Before that, these were practically unknown to people outside Brazil.

In the early 2000s, the popularity of these little purple berries touched the sky when the platform of social media emerged. It is being increasingly used in smoothies as well.

Health Benefits Of Acai

The health benefits of acai berry are too good to ignore. While the research is still going on, there is no doubt that moderate consumption of these berries can certainly help your health in multiple ways. Read on to know more about the health benefits of Acai:

Acai berries are consumed to treat a variety of ailments. Consumption of anthocyanin has been associated with oxidative stress prevention.

Slowing Down Of Brain Disorders: One of the biggest reported benefits of acai berry is helping slow down the progression of serious age-related disorders that affect the brain. These include the much dreaded Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. These diseases are still incurable as medical science has been unable to find a cure for them. According to recent research, it is quite possible to reduce the risk of these ailments by consumption of foods that are rich in antioxidants as well as have properties to counter the inflation in the body. As these berries are abundant in antioxidants as well as anti-inflammatory substances, they can be consumed for helping counter the chances of these diseases.

Reduces Bad Cholesterol: Acai also helps to lower harmful cholesterol because of its fiber and heart-healthy lipids. HDL (good) cholesterol is increased by heart-healthy lipids, whereas LDL (bad) cholesterol is decreased.

Antioxidants: Antioxidants in the acai berry also help to neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals in the human body.

Low Sugar Content: It has a low sugar content, ranging from 0-0.07 oz (0-2 g) per serving, which is significantly less than practically any other fruit. Fresh acai berries are delicious and can also be taken as acai berry juice or supplements.

Calcium: While not a substantial source, acai does include calcium which aids in the health of your bones, muscles, and heart.

Heart Disease And High Blood Pressure: A diet high in fruits and vegetables can help prevent heart disease in the long run. The healthy fats present in acai helps to lower the cholesterol level assisting in high blood pressure preserving heart health.

Rich Source Of Dietary Fiber: Fresh acai has 0.07 oz (2 g) of fiber per serving, making it a good source of fiber in your diet. Consumption of food products that are abundant in fiber can help lower the risk of heart conditions or if any such ailment has already been affecting the body, then it can help reduce the pace of progress of the condition in high-risk individuals. Fiber is also essential for gut health, steady and regular bowel movements.

Weight Loss: A healthy lifestyle combined with a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, including raw acai berries or acai juice, can help you lose weight.

Anti-carcinogenic Property: While it is still not possible to explain the processes that work behind the phenomena, one of the components of acai berry, anthocyanin is known to reduce the risk of cancer. Research has also indicated its anti-carcinogenic features. Laboratory studies have indicated that anthocyanin inhibits the growth of cancer cells and induces the death of those cells.

Nutrition Facts: One tsp powder of acai berry offers 20 calories, 0.03 oz (0.9 g) fiber, 0.03 oz (0.9 g) carbohydrate, 0.0002 oz (6 mg) calcium, and 0.045 oz (1.3 g) of total healthy fats. Apart from these nutrients, acai berry has plenty of healthy fatty acids in the form of palmitic and oleic acids. There are quite a lot of amino acids also present in these berries including certain sterols like campesterol.

Anti-aging Benefit: A healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats can help with everything from acne to aging and so do the little berries of acai.

Side Effects Of Acai

As they say, excess of everything is bad. The same is the rule with acai berries; no matter how nutritious they are or how good the health benefits are, it is important to enjoy them in moderation. Here are some important aspects related to the side effects of acai berries that you must be aware of:

If you have an allergy to pollens or have allergic reactions when you enjoy acai berries or any other berries, then an immune system reaction can be triggered. This is why it is essential to note that consumption of acai berries must only be done in moderation.

Consumption of acai berries may irritate the colon or digestive system, resulting in diarrhea. Acai berries have a tendency to restrict appetite, which can be harmful to developing children and pregnant women. Another negative effect of eating acai berries on a regular basis is swelling of the tongue, lips, and throat. When ingested in high numbers, acai berries can cause a significant drop in blood pressure.

Acai is generally considered to be safe to consume. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, however, avoid acai because there isn’t enough information on its safety for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Facts About Acai’s Habitat

Here are some interesting facts related to the habitat of acai berries which will tell you more about the conditions that are required to grow these delicious berries:

The acai berry is a dark purple fruit that resembles a grape in shape. In the Amazon rain forests, these berries bloom in massive clusters near the tops of palm trees.

Each acai berry contains only 10% fruit and pulp, as well as a large seed with no nutritional value. This fruit is difficult to harvest because the tree has no branches and each cluster of berries must be manually cut and brought down to preserve the fruit and pulp.

Acai grew out of the rain forests and into the cities of Brazil, where it was blended into nutritious smoothies. It allegedly increased the energy levels of surfers and athletes. Finally, scientists caught on to this and discovered that acai did really offer some health benefits.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 73 Acai facts: benefits, side effects, uses, and much more then why not take a look at grapes nutrition facts, or cranberry nutrition facts.