Acai Berries grow on an Amazon
Palm Tree and have been prized for hundreds of years by Brazilian
natives for their ability to provide a sense of strength, energy,
and a high nutritional content.
Acai Berries
are high in essential fatty acids & omegas that have been found to lower both LDL & HDL
cholesterol levels.
They are also a remarkable concentration
of antioxidants to help combat premature aging. Acai Berry is
a dense source of a particular class of flavonoids called anthocyanins.
The ORAC value of Acai Berry is higher than any other edible
berry on the planet. Acai Berry is also an excellent source of
dietary fiber
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Acai Berry is a dense source of particular
class of flavonoids called anthocyanins (red-blue phenols
with potent antioxidant properties)
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Anthocyanins
are a group of phytochemicals in red wine thought to
contribute to the "French paradox",
i, e. France has one of the lowest incidences of heart
disease of any westernized society despite a prevalence
of smoking and a diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol
(5). Acai pulp contains 10-30 times the anthocyanins
of red wine per equal volume (1).
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The primary anthocyanin in .Acai is cyanidin-3
glucoside (1), Cyanidin-3- glucoside has been found to be
3.5 times stronger than Trolox (vitamin E analogue) and the
predominate anthocyanin found in red wine (nalvadin-3-glucoside)
in an ORAC analysis (measure of antioxidant capacity) (2).
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Anthocyanins
have been found to "exhibit
numerous potential therapeutic effects including treatment
of diabetic retinopathy and fibrocystic disease of the breast
in human" (2). "Other potential physiological effects
of anthocyanins include radiation ¬protective, chemopratective,
vasoprotective and anti-inflammatory agents" (2),
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The fatty acid ratio of Acai resembles
that of olive oil, which is thought to be a contributing
factor to the low incidence of heart disease in Mediterranean
populations (1, 5),
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60% Oleic (Omega 9) a monounsaturated,
essential fatty acid, helps lower LDL (harmful cholesterol)
while maintaining HDL, (beneficial cholesterol) levels (5).
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12% Linoleic (Omega 6) a polyunsaturated,
essential fatty acid, has been found to lower both LDL and
HL levels (5).
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Fatty acids aid in the transport and absorption
of fat-soluble vitamins ice. Vitamins A, E, D, and K(3).
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Acai contains valuable phytosterols
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Sterols are components of plant cell membranes
providing numerous benefits to the human body, namely the
reduction of blood plasma cholesterol (5)
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Sterols are currently being
used to treat symptoms associated with BP.