Acai refers to a a fruit that grows on the Acai Palm Trees in the Amazon Rainforest of Brazil. The Acai berry is small in size - smaller than a grape and is dark purple in color. Acai is mostly seed, covered in a small amount of pulp.
While Acai may be small in size, it packs a nutritional punch unlike any other food in the world. It is one of the highest antioxidant fruits in the world. Acai has 10 times the antioxidant level of grapes and twice that of blueberries. Acai has 10 to 30 times the Anthocyanins of red wine.
Acai has a berry and chocolate flavor that is truly unique and delicious.
Acai is used in smoothies, deserts and can also be eaten by itself.
Its nutritional benefits are:
1. Healthy fats
The Acai berry is very rich in healthy Omega fats. Nearly 1/3 of the Acai berry is fat - with 74\% of the fat coming from healthy unsaturated fats such as Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9.
2. Excellent Source of Fiber
Acai is an excellent source of fiber - an amazing 44.2 grams of fiber per 100 grams of Acai. This means a 68 gram serving of Acai would provide all the recommended daily dietary fiber for an adult (30 grams of fiber).
3. Rich in amino acids and proteins
7.59\% of the weight of the Acai pulp is from amino acids. 19 different amino acids have been identified in Acai. Since amino acids are the building blocks of protein, it is no surprise that you have over 8 grams of protein in a 100 gram serving of Acai.
4. Excellent source of plant sterols
Three plant sterols (or photosterols) have been identified in Acai - B-sitosterol, campesterol and sigmasterol. Photosterols have been shown to have numerous health benefits for maintaining healthy heart and digestive function.
5.Good source of vitamins and minerals
Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and E are all present in Acai. In fact, Acai contain as much Vitamin C as blueberries and has over 1000 IU of Vitamin A for every 100 grams of Acai. In addition, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc are all found in Acai.
Acai is pronounced "ah-sigh-ee"
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