Say Superfood! The Antioxidant Wonders of Acai Berries

Acai berries have been used by the native tribes of the Amazon forest for hundreds of years, as a staple food and as a medicine. Disregarded by the western world until quite recently, these small purple berries have now firmly taken their place alongside the other superfoods of the world. Here’s why:

Nutritional Value

The pulp of acai berries contains a decent level of fiber, and provide more calories and fats  than other types of fruits. While calories and fats might sound bad, it really isn’t. You need fiber, calories and fat for energy, so eating acai berries for breakfast is a great way to start the day and have energy to burn.

Mineral and Vitamin Rich

Acai berries are stuffed full of minerals essential for your health. Substantial quantities of manganese, calcium, iron, copper, magnesium and potassium are found in this Amazonian fruit. Along with minerals, they are very rich in vitamins, including vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, E, niacin and riboflavin. By adding acai to your diet you can really boost your levels of vitamins and minerals, which will help to keep your body regulated and balanced.

Healing Your Body

With high levels of essential fats like oleic acid and omega-6, acai berries help to lower your risk of heart disease. These fatty acids are also great for healthy and glowing skin. However, the high concentration of antioxidants that acai berries contain is perhaps what they’re most famous for. With twice as many antioxidants as blueberries and ten times as many as grapes, acai berries blow the competition out of the water. These free radical fighting antioxidants have an anti-inflammatory and anti-aging role in your body, so having more of them is great.