Acai Berries Fruits

Acai berries are the fruits of Acai Palm Tree. Acai berries fruits are round in shape (about 1 inch in diameter). Each Acai berry fruit contain one single large seed surrounded by fibrous sheaths and a thin layer of oily coating, it starts with green color and turn to dark purple when ripens.

Acai berry is a very unique fruit, it contain around 90% seed and the remaining are pulp and skin. Acai berries fruits look just like dark purple grapes but their size are slightly smaller than grapes. The fruits have delicious tropical berry flavor and provide exceptional nutrition. Unfortunately, Acai berries are not available in fresh form because the fruit perish within 24 hours after harvest. Following are some of these berries benefits and nutrition facts.

Acai Berries Nutrition Facts:

• Acai berries are one of the highest antioxidant fruits in the world. These berries have more then ten time the antioxidant level of grapes and double of blueberries. Possible benefits of antioxidant include anti-aging, stronger immune system, reduce risk of cancers and heart diseases.

• Acai berries also contains 10-30 times the Anthocyanins of red wine. Anthocyanins is the antioxidant that gives Acai berries their deep purple color. It also help to combat premature aging, prevent blood clots and improve blood circulation.

• Acai berries are rich in Omega fats - more than 50% of the its fruit is fat, with 74% of unsaturated fats which include Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9. Benefit of omega fats include good for cardiovascular health, better brain function, protect from stroke and heart attack, less depression and reduce breast, colon and prostate cancer.

• Excellent source of acid amino and protein - 19 different type of amino acids have been identified in Acai berry fruit and 7.59% of the Acai berry pulp is make up of amino acids. Since the building block of protein are acid amino, Acai berries have more than 8g of protein per every 100g serving.

• Rich in Vitamins & minerals - among the vitamins and minerals present in Acai berries are Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, C, E, calcium, copper, magnesium, potassium and zinc. Acai berry fruit also contain as much Vitamin C as blueberries and has > 1000 IU of Vitamin A per 100g serving.

• High fiber food - Acai berries are found typical in rainforest climate, as a result the fruits are very fibrous. Dietary fiber is an essential part of an healthy diet, it help to slow down digestive process, fight obesity, stabilizing blood sugar levels and reduce cholesterol levels.

• Acai berries contain plant sterols - 3 plant sterols identified in the fruits are B-sitosterol, campesterol and sigmasterol. Plant sterols are the latest weapon to combat heart disease.

Useful References :

1. Dr Oz. Explain Acai Berry To Oprah
   http://www.metacafe.com/watch/3130068/dr_oz_explains_acai_berry_to_oprah/

2. Acai Palm Wikipedia Source
   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acai_palm