Contents
- 1 MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF ACAI
- 1.1 The acai fruit is one of the most powerful antioxidant foods
- 1.2 Acai and its beneficial properties to help reduce cholesterol
- 1.3 The stimulant power of acai
- 1.4 Acai, an astringent fruit
- 1.5 Acai to fight arthritis
- 1.6 Febrifuge root of acai
- 1.7 Acai, nutritious food for athletes
- 1.8 Acai can help in slimming diets
- 1.9 Acai cosmetic oil
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF ACAI
The acai fruit is one of the most powerful antioxidant foods
The acai fruit has a characteristic dark purple color. This intense color is due to the high pigment content of the fruit, called anthocyanins. When you eat fruit pigments, your body uses them as antioxidants, that’s to say, as substances that fight the natural aging of cells.
However, this quality is important in situations or habits that increase our need for antioxidants. Elite athletes, for example, having a great physical waste, must increase their intake in antioxidants.
The same applies to people with a lot of stress, with smoking habits or who have cardiovascular disease. In all cases, we must consume foods high in antioxidants such as vitamin C, or in this case, supplements of acai with anthocyanins.
The prestigious Dr. Nicholas Perricone, American dermatologist promoter of anti-aging diet, introduced acai in all diets to prevent aging.
In fact, his television appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” was the final boom that boosted the dietary acai in stores throughout the Americas.
– More information: Antioxidant properties of acai
Acai and its beneficial properties to help reduce cholesterol
Acai has become very famous in the treatment of cholesterol. This quality is associated with the content of acai in phytosterols, which can help reduce cholesterol levels and maintain cardiovascular health.
Another interesting component in this regard is the good fat profile of this fruit. Acai contains mostly omega 9 oleic acid, abundant in olive oil which has been reported very beneficial for the heart.
Acai (both in its juice and the its pulp) has other important components for the vascular system. There are some minerals in its composition, such as like calcium, that is found in the juice and pulp of this plant almost in the same proportion as in milk. Calcium is involved in the muscle contraction. Acai high contribution of potassium and its low sodium content makes it a natural diuretic.
- Combining the acai with a good diet for cardiovascular health, we can have a good resort to combat fluid retention and to help improve hypertension.
The stimulant power of acai
Acai, an astringent fruit
Acai has a high content of tannins, substances that provide an astringent taste to the fruit. These tannins are manufactured by the plant to protect itself from predators like birds, toucans. They can not digest these substances that are toxic to their bodies. In contrast, the human body is able to take profit of tannins as antioxidant compounds.
However, the astringent taste (dry mouth, bitter taste) is readily apparent when tasting the fruit. Formerly, Amazonian peoples have used the fresh fruit (with more tannin content when processed) to treat diarrhea.
Acai plasters were also used to stop minor bleeding.
Acai to fight arthritis
It is believed that acai is effective against arthritis. This is due to anti-inflammatory properties associated with regular consumption of this fruit.
The active components involved in the improvement of arthritis could be calcium, trace elements and the good lipid profile of acai. However, no scientific studies have been done to prove this.
Febrifuge root of acai
The Tikunas use the root of the acai palm, which they call “huay” to control fever caused by malaria. The root is prepared once dried, crushed and boiled. Later, they use to drink three cups a day.
The same preparation is used by the Quechua to relieve muscle pain and bleeding. The Acai palm, possible anti-cancer remedy.
In vitro experiments, developed by the University of Florida in Gainsville, USA, have discovered that acai reduces the proliferation of cancer cells.
It was also discovered that acai extract achieves favoring apoptosis (natural cell death) in human leukemia cells. This effect was attributed to the polyphenolic compounds present in the acai on cancer cells of leukemia called “HL-60 cells.” Polyphenols seemed to reduce proliferation of leukemia in a 56-86% of cases.
However, many factors could have taken part in the prevention and treatment of cancer, so the investigation of plant phytochemicals involved in this disease is still under study.
Acai, nutritious food for athletes
Consumption of acai is especially popular in the sports world, and particularly in America. Its properties have become the favorite dish of exercise enthusiasts. Acai is becoming the staple food in the diet for athletes. These are the reasons:
- Acai provides a lot of energy, it contains more fat than avocado;
- Acai contains sugars to provide instant energy,
- Acai has Omega 9 for cardiovascular health and it also balances the fat from our diet.
- Acai provides a small intake of protein of high biological value;
- Acai contains a lot of calcium, important for bone and muscle contraction;
- Acai is low in sodium (salt).
- Acai is high in antioxidants plant substances such as anthocyanins, which help combat oxidative stress of exercise.
The most common way to consume acai is in the preparation of Açaí na tigela (“acai in the bowl”)
* More information: Açaí na tigela recipe
Acai can help in slimming diets
Acai can be obtain in supplement form marketed for weight loss and obesity. This is because it has heart-healthy properties, and because of the high satiating power of its pulp, of the acai palm hearts and acai juice.
Acai cosmetic oil
Acai oil is rich in Omega 9, a type of fat that softens, nourishes and relaxes the skin. In addition, its antioxidant properties are very good to protect the skin and to give it a more youthful appearance.
* More information: Acai oil properties.
More information about acai.
