The Health Benefits of Acai
In our previous article, The Nutritional Makeup of Acai, we learned about what is in the Acai berry. In this article, we will look at how the nutritious Acai berry can help keep us in excellent health.
What will eating Acai do for me? The nutrients in Acai can help:
Maintain the healthy function of bodily systems and organs Increase energy, libido and stamina Promote healthy, glowing skin and hair Promotes healthy sleep Support immune system Act as a powerful anti-inflammatory Help reduce pain and soreness Help rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit.
How can Acai help with all these health issues? If you read our article - The Nutritional Makeup of Acai - you know that Acai is one of the healthiest foods you can eat. While there are many nutrients in the Acai berry, clearly the antioxidants are the major reason for the health benefits of Acai.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has initiated studies to look at the link between antioxidant rich food and aging. Here are some direct quotes from the USDA website -
"Studies at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston suggest that consuming fruits and vegetables with a high-ORAC value may help slow the aging process in both body and brain." Ronald L. Prior, the researcher for the USDA study went on to suggest that "the ORAC measure may help define the dietary conditions needed to prevent tissue damage."
"Science has long held that damage by oxygen free radicals is behind many of the maladies that come with aging, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. There's firm evidence that a high intake of fruits and vegetables reduces risk of cancer and that a low intake raises risk. And recent evidence suggests that diminished brain function associated with aging and disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases may be due to increased vulnerability to free radicals, says Joseph, a neuroscientist. "
- "Can Foods Forestall Aging?", published in the February 1999 issue of Agricultural Research magazine.
It is clear that the potential health benefits of eating high ORAC value foods should not be underestimated.
Doesn't Acai cure every ailment known to man?Okay, we admit this question is a little tongue-in-cheek - but if you read through some of the websites it sure seems like Acai is a miracle food. While other sites will talk about how Acai is a miracle fruit that cures every known ailment - we would never say that. There are no miracle cures - period. If you want to stay healthy and feel energetic and young the key is a good diet and exercise. It is true that when it comes to eating a good diet - you really can do no better than starting with a healthy portion of Acai. However, we would never give false hope by claiming that Acai alone is the cure to any disease.
I have heard that Acai kills cancer cells - is this true? A University of Florida study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry on Jan 12. 2006 found that acai berries triggered a self-destruct response in up to 86 percent of leukemia cells tested in vitro. While we consider this study a promising start, it is important to understand that the Acai killed cultured cancer cells in a test tube - this is very different than killing cancer in the human body.
Obviously, much more research needs to be done before anyone could make any cancer claims regarding Acai in the human body.
Recap: It is clear that eating foods with high ORAC values have numerous health benefits. Acai is one of the highest ORAC value foods. While there are no miracles, Acai is an incredibly healthy food that can help you maintain healthy bodily functions across the board.
Ready to start eating Acai berries? First you need to get the Acai out of the Amazon Rainforest...
