Acai Fruit
Origin - They are known to originate from Amazon rainforest in Brazil.
Scientific Name - Euterpe oleracea
Appearance - Acai is a small, round, blackish purple fruit, looks alike in appearance but smaller than a grape with lesser pulp and a single big seed at the center.
Acai has an amazing antioxidant quality. It is very rich in antioxidants such as Vitamin C and polyphenols. Acai also haves an ample amount of iron, calcium and vitamin A with amino acid.
Fatty acid helps in the movement and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E and K. Acai has high caloric values and fats when compared with other berries and fruits.
| Nutritional Content (Per 100 g) | |
| Calories | 534 |
| Carbohydrates | 51.9 g |
| Protein | 8. 12 g |
| Total Fat | 32. 61 g |
| Calcium | 260 mg |
| Iron | 4.8 mg |
| Vitamin A | 1002 U |
Note: The content given in the table is fixed according to our calculation; hence it may not be accurate.
Acai berry is very rich in healthy Omega fats. Nearly 50% of the Acai berry is fat - with 74% of the fat coming from healthy unsaturated fats such as
- Omega 3
- Omega 6
- Omega 9
- B-sitosterol
- campesterol
- sigmasterol
Photosterols have numerous health benefits for maintaining healthy heart and digestive function. Acai contain as much Vitamin C as blueberries and has over 1000 IU of Vitamin A in every 100 grams.
In addition, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc are all found in Acai. Acai has a strong fiber profile. Around 14 grams of fiber is present in every 100 grams of freeze dried Acai powder.
- High level antioxidants in acai promotes overall body health and fight free radicals.
- It boosts up energy levels.
- It helps to add luster to skin and nails.
- It strengthens our IMMUNE SYSTEM and provides greater energy and stamina.
- It Provides better sleep and anti-allergenic support.
- It also improves digestion and sexual function.
- It Promotes better circulation and aids in preventing blood clots.
- Helps in prevention and treatment of Alzheimer (brain disorder) and arteriosclerosis (stiffening of arteries).
- Acai palm also grows in the rainforests of South America.
- It has been used as a weight loss supplement.
- Acai berry contains plenty of omega oil substances which help to keep the blood pressure (BP) level under control.
- Acai fruit is very low in sugar content.
- Acai berry contains high levels of essential amino acids, fiber, plant sterols (controls cholesterol) and anti-oxidants.
- Acai pulp contains 10 to 30 times the anthocyanins found in red wine by equal volume.
One of the most important acai studies, conducted by the University of Florida, tells us that acai fruit has caused a “self destruct” reaction in Leukemia cells.
Antioxidants are one of the best ways to lower the chance of getting cancer and there is no other better way to get them than through acai berry juice or pills.
The fatty acid proportion of Acai looks like olive oil, which many experts believe that it might be the contributing element for the low occurrence of heart-related problems.
Fiber and Omega fatty acids are two of the biggest weapons highly used in preventing diabetes and heart diseases by lowering the blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Acai berry is one of the most powerful anti-aging super foods. Acai fruit's anti-aging effect is a combination of high level anthocyanins and strong antioxidant vitamin content.
Acai berry is known to contain ten times as many antioxidant vitamins as grapes and twice as many as blueberries and thirty three times more antioxidant power than both red grapes and red wine.
In addition to the high levels of omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids, acai fruit also haves a protective effect on the heart and cardiovascular system. The omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids in acai berries play a vital role in lowering cholesterol level in the blood.
Avoid : If you have pollen allergies or have a known hypersensitivity to acai or similar berries, please avoid this fruit.
An extra tip : To get benefit out of your acai berry diet, you should be able to spot the difference between a low quality brand and a high quality brand.
Acai Recipes1. Acai Muesli
Ingredients:
- 1 full cup of milk
- 1 tbsp essential fatty acids
- Splash of acai juice/puree
- Chopped almonds as needed
- Honey, as required
- 1 cup of lowfat yogurt(any flavor)
- 2 cup of oats
- Peeled and grated apples as required
Method:
- Take a bowl, add oats, milk, honey, acai juice/puree, and essential fatty acids.
- Allow the mixture to soak overnight in the fridge.
- Add chopped almonds, apples, and yogurt to the mixture the very next morning.
- Decorate it with some nutritious nuts and serve.
Ingredients:
- 1 full cup of milk
- 2 tbsp of low fat cottage cheese
- Splash of acai juice/puree
- 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder
- Honey, as required
- 1-2 tbsp of unfiltered essential fatty acids
- Banana, as required
- Apples if needed
Method:
- Add milk, cheese, acai juice/puree, chocolate protein powder, honey, Essential fatty acids to the bowl.
- Blend the mixture for 30 seconds on a medium setting.
- Add banana or fruits you wish and pulse blender to frappe the shake.
- Refrigerate and serve.
Ingredients:
- Handful of ice
- 1 scoop of low fat vanilla yogurt
- Splash of acai juice/puree
- Strawberries as required
- Bananas as required
- Blueberries as required
Method:
- Take a bowl; add ice, vanilla yogurt, acai juice/puree to the bowl.
- Blend the mixture for 45 - 50 seconds on a high setting.
- Add the fruits you wish and pulse blender to frappe the shake.
- Refrigerate and serve.
Add 1/2 cup of rice, 1/2 cup of fruit slices(as you wish), 100g of acai powder or puree and 1 cup of acai juice in the blender together and mix until it becomes completely smooth. A very nutritious and a tastiest food is ready within a minute.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup of milk
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup sugar (if needed can add more)
- 1/2 cup of butter
- 1 - 2 cups of acai berry pulp
- 1 - 2 cups of Cake Flour
Method:
- Preheat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While heating put liners on the cup cake pan.
- Cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl for about 3 – 5 minutes or wait till it becomes fluffy.
- Add eggs to the mixture and beat it well.
- Sift together the cake flour and baking powder in a separate bowl.
- Now slowly beat the flour and baking powder in the creamed mixture and then alternate this with the milk.
- Using a spatula, fold the acai berry pulp into the mixture.
- Pour into the cupcake liners and bake for 20 – 25 minutes.
- Yummy acai berry cake is ready.
