are acai berries an antioxidant
Texas A&M University - Agricultural Communications. Brazilian Acai Berry Antioxidants Absorbed By Human Body, Research Shows.. ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081006112053.htm (accessed August 18, 2016). Acai berries are widely touted as a so-called superfood, with proponents claiming that they are helpful for a variety of health concerns, including arthritis, weight loss, high cholesterol, erectile dysfunction, skin appearance, detoxification and general health. Acai berries are the quintessential antioxidant superfood. A deep, purplish-red berry about the size of a large blueberry, this energy-infused fruit comes from sixty-foot-tall palm tree in the Amazonian rainforest. A Brazilian palm berry, popular health food though little research has been done on it, now may have its purported benefits better understood. In the first research involving people, the acai berry has proven its ability to be absorbed in the human body when consumed both as juice and pulp. The Composition of an Acai Berry. Acai berries are composed of pigment-rich anthocyanins and antioxidants. Containing more than ten times the concentrations of antioxidants as red wine, acai also contain phytosterols, a chemical component known to promote both cardiovascular and digestive health. In addition to the aforementioned antioxidant effects, acai berry is also high in monounsaturated oleic acid, a type of oil similar to olive oil. This unique oil has a tenderizing affect on the cell walls, aiding the body in allowing lipids to move seamlessly through the cell’s membranes. Showing the berry’s absorption in humans is important because it is known to contain numerous antioxidants. The berry is heavily marketed in the U.S. as a health food. The study involved 12 healthy volunteers who consumed a single serving of acai juice or pulp. Acai berries contain antioxidants, fiber and heart-healthy fats. They may have more antioxidant content than other commonly eaten berries, such as cranberries, blueberries and strawberries. But, research on acai berries is limited, and claims about the health benefits of acai haven't been proved. And, many fruits besides acai berries provide antioxidants and other nutrients that are important to your health. In the first research involving people, the acai (ah-sigh-EE) berry has proven its ability to be absorbed in the human body when consumed both as juice and pulp. That finding, by a team of Texas AgriLife Research scientists, was published in a recent issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Studies on Acai Berry: Talcott, et. al (2001) found that the antioxidant and nutritional components in the pulp and juice of the berry had cancer-fighting effects in laboratory studies. The berries were shown to trigger a response in over 85% of leukemia cells that caused them to self-destruct.
Yes, Acai berries are the quintessential antioxidant super-food.