The purple, look-alike of the grape, Acai berry, is a tropical fruit with unique nutritional values. The berry, which is 90% seed pit and 10% pulp, can be made into a cloudy, purple juice, which is considered to be the best antioxidant and energy boosting drink.Many traditional Brazilian beverages use the berry juice as an ingredient and slowly its popularity is spreading to other parts of the world.
What it Contains
» The juice contains 10 to 30 times more antioxidants than grapes, pomegranates, blueberries and also red wine.
» It contains Polyphenols, Phytochemicals and Anthocyanins, all of which act as natural antioxidants.
» It is very high in essential fatty acids, which include omega 3, 6 and 9.
» It is full of dietary fiber.
» It is abundant in proteins like potassium, copper and magnesium. It is also unusually high in manganese content.
» The juice is rich in calcium and vitamins D, C and E.
» The juice is fairly rich in amino acids.
How ACAI Berry Juice Helps
The Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity (ORAC) of Acai berry juice is extremely high, making it a very powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants are essentially disease fighting compounds that help repair and also prevent the stress and damage of oxidation, which occurs during normal cell function. Thus the Acai berry juice promotes health and longevity.
It is perhaps the best natural energy drink as it provides proteins, carbohydrates and amino acids. Athletes around the world are taking to the drink in a big way. The high fiber content is good for digestive disorders and detoxification.
It keeps skin and hair healthy and glowing. It is being used to treat conditions like eczema and dermatitis. The vitamin D and calcium help prevent osteoporosis and makes for healthy bones. It also gives protection against various gum diseases and is generally good for healthy teeth.
- It helps improve eyesight and brain memory functions.
- It facilitates weight loss.
- It is known to cure allergies and inflammations.
Omega-9 and Omega-6 are cholesterol combating fatty acids and their presence keeps high blood pressure and cholesterol under control. Thus a regular intake of the juice is good to prevent or control heart related diseases. It is given to patients with diabetes, Alzheimer's and even cancer. It has anti aging properties. The Cyanidin-3-glucocide, which is a principal Anthocyanin found in the Acai berry, is known to help reverse age-related neurological deficits.
How to consume it
The Acai berry juice is perhaps the best way to derive all the nutritional benefits as well as to enjoy the berry. The berry has a flavor similar to blueberries with a mild hint of chocolate. Most people enjoy the taste and find the juice rather refreshing.
The berries are soaked in water to soften the outer skin. They are then squeezed and strained to produce the thick dark purple juice. The juice can be consumed fresh and ice cold with or without sugar. It is also as a flavoring in ice cream, mousses, liquor and other sweets in general.
However, it is very easy to get duped into buying the wrong kind of product and one must be careful. Pure Acai berry juice will always have an oily sheen at the top, because of the high amount of fatty acids and omegas. One can consume the juice in the following ways:
- Mixed Juices: You can mix the Acai berry juice with other juices. While it is fine to mix the juice with other fruit juices, be careful to read the exact percentage of the components. A lot of packed juices claiming to contain Acai berry juice actually have a tiny percentage of the berry juice and a huge percentage of other juices. It is best to buy pure and undiluted Acai berry juice and mix it with your favorite juice on your own.
- Power: You can also try the Acai berry powder, which can be mixed with water and made into a ready-to-drink drink. You can also add it to yogurt and smoothies.
- Puree or Concentrate: Pureed or concentrated Acai berry is easy to store and can be consumed in any form you like- either in water or mixed with any other juice.