Acai
The Acai Palm is a species of palm tree native to South and Central American countries, particularly in the Brazilian region. They love a hot and wet environment so are commonly found in swampy floodplains along the Amazon River.
Aside from the leaves and trunk wood providing a variety of uses, this valuable tree has been a wholesome source of food for centuries, for both the edible hearts of the palm and the fruit.
The fruit, otherwise known as the Acai Berry is small and round (about 1½ cm) and a rich purple colour when ripe. Acai berries are traditionally used in a variety of sweets and beverages including wine. In the north of South America, it is commonly mixed with tapioca and fish as a salty, savoury dish. In the south, the berry is commonly combined with granola, banana, other fruits and sugar.
Remarkably, this berry is pretty delicate and must be used within a day of being picked as they perish quickly due to their high fat content. To export the fruit, it is usually dried and powdered beforehand to ensure premium quality and capturing the essential nutrients for the production of natural supplements.
Benefits & Use
So why do we love Acai Berries so much? They are a magnificent superfood, packed full of a wide variety of nutrients.
Let’s break that down:
- Antioxidants - anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins and other flavonoids
- 4% protein – up to 19 different amino acids
- 12% lipids - monounsaturated fatty acids
- Calcium
- Vitamin A
- Iron
- Phosphorus
- Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
- Other multi nutrients
So if you don’t know much about the benefits of the above nutrients, we’ll help shed some light on this delicious mix of nutrients.
On a whole, Acai has the potential to support the healthy function of the whole body. When in powder form, it can be added to a smoothie to provide essential nutrients that may give support to the normal recovery after a workout at the gym and to assist with maintaining a healthy body weight.
Acai berries can be found within capsules and tablets, specifically formulated to assist with the natural process of ageing skin and tissues throughout the body, support natural eye and brain health and on a whole, helps to support the body’s defenses and immune response.
Acai can also be fermented, which can be used as an alkaline and vegan form of probiotics to support the healthy function of the digestive system.
Some skin care products contain Acai berry oil, predominantly due to the antioxidant and essential fatty acid content. These can potentially aid moisture balance within the skin and nourish the skin after exposure to the outdoors.
So whether you are looking to support your appearance or overall health, Acai Berry can certainly play a vital role on a daily basis, for optimal health and wellbeing.
