Açaí native palms produces tons of Açaí berries every year, and it contains a true arsenal of nutrients, such as vitamins ( A, E, D, K, B1, B2,C ), minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron), amino acids, antioxidants and essential oils.
Calories: 70 Fat: 5 grams
Saturated fat: 1.5 grams
Carbs: 4 grams
Sugar: 2 grams
Fiber 2 grams
Vitamin A: 15% of the RDI
Calcium: 2% of the RDI
According to studies, açaí berries also contain some other trace minerals, including chromium, zinc, iron, copper, manganese, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. But some of acai’s most powerful health benefits come from plant compounds.
The most notable nutritionally value of the açaí berry are the anthocyanins, which give acaí berries their deep purple color and act as antioxidants in the body.
You can also find anthocyanins in other blue, black and purple foods, such as black beans and blueberries.
If free radicals are not neutralized by antioxidants, they can damage cells and lead to a number of diseases, including diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Açaí berries have an incredibly high amount of antioxidants, edging out other antioxidant-rich fruits like blueberries and cranberries.
The antioxidant content of foods is typically measured by an Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) score. In the case of Açaí, 100 grams of frozen pulp has an ORAC of 15,405, whereas the same amount of blueberries has a score of 4,669 (4).
This antioxidant activity comes from a number of plant compounds in açaí, including anthocyanins. In 2008, researchers gave 12 fasting volunteers acai pulp, Açaí juice, applesauce or a drink with no antioxidants at four different times and then tested their blood for antioxidants.
Both the Açaí pulp and applesauce raised participants’ antioxidant levels, which means that the antioxidant compounds in Açaí are well-absorbed in the gut. It also indicates that Açaí pulp is a better source of antioxidants than Açaí juice.
"Açaí is filled with antioxidants" said the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in 2008). "It contains a high content of polyphenolic compounds such as resveratrol, anthocyanidin, ferulic acid, delphinidin and petunidin; and it also contains tannins such as epicatechin and ellagic acid.
Animal studies have suggested that Açaí could help improve cholesterol levels by decreasing total and LDL cholesterol.
It is possible that it could have a similar effect in humans. A 2011 study had 10 overweight adults eat Açaí smoothies twice daily for one month. Overall, they had lower total and “bad” LDL cholesterol at the end of the study.
However, there were a few drawbacks to this study. It was small, had no control group and received its funding from a primary supplier of Açaí.
While more research is needed, it’s possible that the anthocyanin in Açaí could be responsible for their positive impact on cholesterol levels, since studies have linked this plant compound to improvements in HDL and LDL cholesterol.
In addition, Açaí contains plant sterols, which prevent cholesterol from being absorbed by your body.
While no one food is a magic shield against cancer, some foods are known to stop cancer cells from forming and spreading. Both test-tube and animal studies have revealed this sort of anti-cancer effect in Açaí.
In mice, Açaí pulp has reduced the incidence of colon and bladder cancer. However, a second study in mice found that it had no effect on stomach cancer. Researchers have concluded that açaí could have a role in treating cancer in the future, yet more research is needed, including in humans
The many plant compounds in Açaí could also protect your brain from damage as you age. Several studies have shown this kind of protective effect in lab rats. The antioxidants in acai counteract the damaging effects of inflammation and oxidation in brain cells, which can negatively affect memory and learning. In one study, açaí even helped improve memory in aging rats.
One of the ways in which the brain stays healthy is by cleaning up cells that are toxic or no longer working, a process known as autophagy. It makes way for new nerves to form, enhancing communication between brain cells. As you age, this process works less efficiently. However, in lab tests, açaí extract has helped stimulate this “housekeeping” response in brain cells.