Get That Healthy Antioxidant Glow With Acai Berries

The indigenous people in Amazon rainforest have been using acai berries for many years for their health benefits. They became popular in the United States when berries were featured as a superfood on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

Acai berries contain more antioxidants than other berries such as blueberries, strawberries and cranberries. Some studies have found a link between antioxidants and cancer prevention.
An antioxidant powerhouse
Most berries contain chemicals called antioxidants, but the acai berry is thought to have more than your average strawberry, blueberry or raspberry. Their high antioxidant content is one of the reasons why berries have become popular as a health food.

Antioxidants may protect your body’s cells from being damaged by oxidative processes. When cells in the body oxidize, their membranes are damaged. This damage leads to the creation of free radicals. Free radicals take electrons from other healthy, unoxidized cells. By protecting against oxidation, acai berries have the potential to prevent heart disease, diabetes, and various conditions associated with the aging process.

Acai berries contain high levels of important fatty acids such as omega-3, omega-6 and monounsaturated oleic acid. Omega-3 and omega-6 are considered essential for health, and experts recommend consuming a balanced amount of each. Oleic acid is often used in skin care products. All are said to help prevent conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Acai berries without their bluish-purple skin are not a superfood. Like many other fruits, the skin contains fiber and various nutrients and most antioxidants. If you are buying an acai supplement or drink, you should make sure that the product contains a lot of peel.