Have you heard about the açaí berry? It’s been in the media a lot lately. The fact that it was on Oprah alone propelled it into the national spotlight recently (if only I could get on Oprah - I’d be famous!). I’ve had a few questions about this little berry so I thought I would write a bit about this popular little fruit.
A relative of the blueberry and cranberry, the açaí berry is an inch-long reddish, purple fruit, about the size of a grape. It comes from the açaí palm tree, which is native to Central and South America. It’s becoming increasingly popular because of its possible antioxidant activity.
The açaí has a high fat content (similar to that in olive oil) and deteriorates rapidly after it is harvested. Unless you are in Central or South America, it’s difficult to obtain açaí fresh. For this reason, you may see it sold as a powder or juice that can be added into other foods such as yogurt or smoothies.
As far as health benefits, studies are ongoing and the jury is still out. Some studies have shown that blood antioxidant capacity increases within two hours of consuming commercial açaí juice as the açaí berry has 15-20 times the antioxidants that red grapes have. People eat açaí berries to address various health conditions. But so far, açaí berries have no known health benefit that’s any different than that of other similar fruits such as cranberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries or blueberries. Few studies have tested the benefit of açaí in aiding weight loss.
Açaí contains anthocyanins and flavonoids which are powerful antioxidants that play a role in the body's cell protection system against free radicals which are harmful byproducts produced by the body. Antioxidants neutralize these free radicals and may intervene in the aging process and may also help reduce the risk of some diseases, such as heart disease and cancer.
When eaten in moderate amounts, açaí so far has been shown to be safe. If you have allergies to similar berries, it might be a good idea so stay away from this fruit.
All in all it seems to be a good thing, but I would caution against putting the pressure on this little fruit to be the answer to all of your prayers. Given how expensive açaí is right now, you may just as well eat similar fruits (cranberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries or blueberries) to get similar benefits at a cheaper cost. Maintaining a good, balanced diet and being physically active are still the best ways to help yourself be healthy, happy and live a long life.
Related Posts:
Recipe: Pineapple Cranberry Relish
Lifting the Mid-Afternoon Slump
Recipe: Cranberry Turkey Wraps
0