Acai Berry Review: Potent Antioxidant & One Of Dr. Perricone's 10 "SuperFoods"

The acai berry is the fruit of the palm tree with the same name. Acai palms are native to Central and South America and grow throughout the Amazon rainforest. The berries are often considered a "superfood" because they are packed with nutrients, including vitamins B, C and E, potassium, phosphorus, calcium and essential fatty acids. The acai berry has gained great notoriety lately, as it was featured on the Oprah Winfrey show as one of the 10 "Super Foods" recommended by Dr. Nicholas Perricone.

Acai berries are also high in fiber. They contain more than 30 times the anti-oxidant power of red grapes, which are themselves one of the richest food sources of antioxidants.

Acai berries have a very high ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) score - a measure given to foods to rate their antioxidant power. At 5500, the ORAC score of acai berries means that 100 grams (about 3.5 ounces) acai berry provides 5500 ORAC units. As a measure of comparison, the USDA recommends a daily intake of 3000-5000 ORAC units per day, and the typical "five-a-day" intake provides only about 1750 units.

Because they are so nutrient-dense, acai berries are said to increase energy and vitality. Amazon natives have a traditional drink that is a combination of acai pulp and guarana seed. The drink is used to boost energy and mental clarity. In Brazil, the acai berry is well-known for its nutritional and medicinal value, and that popularity is beginning to spread throughout the western hemisphere.

Among the numerous benefits attributed to acai berry are the heart-healthy properties of the antioxidants and essential fatty acids contained in the fruit. These compounds aid in regulating cholesterol levels, which can improve health and lower the risk for heart disease. Specifically, acai berries are a good source of omega 6 and omega 9 fatty acids. Research shows that omega 6 can lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels, while omega 9 raises levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol.

Acai berries are also a rich source of bioflavonoids - antioxidant-rich compounds in plants. The dark purple color of acai berries come from the bioflavonoid complex known as anthocyanins, which are abundant in the fruit. This is the same compound that colors red grapes. Anthocyanins are believed to have significant anti-aging and anti-cancer properties. They are also useful in preventing blood clots and keeping blood circulating smoothly throughout veins and arteries.

The antioxidants in acai berries further protect the cardiovascular system by preventing oxidative damage to the walls of arteries, veins and capillaries and even by helping to repair existing damage. A specific anthocyanin in acai berries known as cyanidin-3-glucoside may help to prevent neurological damage associated with aging.

While you will probably not be able to find acai berries in your local grocery department, there are several nutritional supplements that are derived from concentrated sources of this "super berry." Both freeze-dried capsules and liquid extracts are available, and acai berries are also used to make juices, smoothies and energy bars. It is a good idea to find preparations that use organic berries to avoid contamination with pesticides.

Acai berry products are generally safe and well-tolerated since the berries are a food. Dosage recommendations vary depending on the product and the individual. People at risk for heart disease, older people and those who do not consume many fruits and vegetables on a regular basis may benefit from taking higher doses than younger people or those who eat plant foods regularly.

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