12 Health Benefits of Acai Berries

There are many healthy berries you can add to your diet. The acai berry is one of the healthiest berries you will ever find. Acai is an indigenous berry found in the rain forests of the Amazon. This fruit has been heralded for centuries as a healing, immune-stimulating, energy-boosting fruit. Research reveals this antioxidant-rich berry may help suppress and repair oxidative damage.^[1] Let’s take a look at twelve health benefits of acai berries.

1. Promotes Heart Health

Similar to red wine, research shows that acai berries are extremely high in anthocyanins, a type of antioxidant that supports balanced cholesterol levels.^{[2, 3]} They are also rich in plant sterols that provide cardio-protective benefits, including supporting circulation, improving overall blood composition, and relaxing the blood vessels.^{[4, 5]}

2. Resists Harmful Organisms

Research has shown that consuming acai extract may help fight harmful organisms.^[6] However, I recommend oregano oil for this task.

3. Aids Weight Loss

Known by nutritionists as a superfood, acai may help us not only lose weight but maintain a healthy weight. One interesting study found that pulp from the acai berry had the ability to reduce fat deposits in study participants.^[7]

4. Promotes Skin Health

Acai oil is a great natural alternative to chemical based skin care products. Currently, many beauty products contain acai oil because of the oil’s high antioxidant content. When eaten, the berries provide nutrition that can give your skin a healthy glow. In fact, Brazilians have been eating acai berries for centuries to promote skin health.^[6]

5. Helps Digestion

Acai may also aid in keeping the digestive system clean and functional. In the human body, the berries have powerful detoxification capacities and are a source of dietary fiber.^[8] Of course, there are many other high fiber foods that can do the same thing, including other types of berries.

6. Reduces Irritation

Acai berries contain properties that may prevent the irritation in the lungs typically associated with respiratory distress and swelling.^[9]

7. Improves Cellular Health

On a general level, the anthocyanins found in acai play a role in the body’s cellular protection system, helping to keep cells strong against the invasion of free radicals.^[10]

8. Immune System Booster

One study found that polyphenolic compounds extracted from acai reduced the proliferation of malfunctioning cells by up to 86%.^[11] It is thought that acai berry contains phytochemicals that can disrupt cell mutation at a molecular level, killing the affected cells before they multiply. Acai berries are not a cure for any disease but, hopefully, more research will yield more positive discoveries.

9. Has Anti-Aging Effects

Extremely high in many forms of phytochemicals, acai berries may slow or reverse aging processes as they relate to oxidative damage.^[12] In fact, the berries are one of the best sources of antioxidants; one berry has ten times as many antioxidants as grapes and twice as many as blueberries.

10. Boosts Energy

Due to its overall health benefits, taking acai extract can lead to an increased overall level of energy and stamina, and may aid to combat fatigue and exhaustion.^[13] Whenever you need a boost, simply eat a handful of berries and you will be ready to go in no time!

11. Encourages a Healthy Libido

This famous purple berry is linked to overall increased blood circulation in the human body, a phenomenon that may contribute to a boost in sex drive, especially for men.^[14]

12. Improves Mental Function

Preliminary research studies show that acai may improve cognition and promote healthy brain aging.^{[15, 16]}

Consuming Acai Berries

Buy organically-certified acai berries and pulp. Not only are they safer, but they taste better too. If you can’t find acai berries, goji berries are another good source of antioxidants.

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References (16)

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Rosso, Veridiana Vera de, et al. "Determination of Anthocyanins from Acerola ( DC.) and Açai ( Mart.) by HPLC–PDA–MS/MS." Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 21.4 (2008): 291–299. Web. 3 Mar. 2017.
Souza, Melina Oliveira de, et al. "The Hypocholesterolemic Activity of Açaí ( Mart.) Is Mediated by the Enhanced Expression of the ATP-Binding Cassette, Subfamily G Transporters 5 and 8 and Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor Genes in the Rat." Nutrition Research 32.12 (2012): 976–984. Web. 3 Mar. 2017.
Feio, Claudine A, et al. "Euterpe Oleracea (Açai) Modifies Sterol Metabolism and Attenuates Experimentally-Induced Atherosclerosis." Journal of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis 19.3 (2012): n.pag. Web. 3 Mar. 2017.
Rocha, A. P. M., et al. "Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilator Effect of Mart. (Açaí) Extracts in Mesenteric Vascular Bed of the Rat." Vascular Pharmacology 46.2 (2007): 97–104. Web. 3 Mar. 2017.
Heinrich, Michael, Tasleem Dhanji, and Ivan Casselman. "Açai ( Mart.)—A Phytochemical and Pharmacological Assessment of the Species’ Health Claims." Phytochemistry Letters 4.1 (2011): 10–21. Web. 3 Mar. 2017.
Sousa Pereira, Izabelle de, et al. "The Consumption of Acai Pulp Changes the Concentrations of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 and Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) in Apparently Healthy Women." Nutricion hospitalaria (2015): n.pag. Web. 3 Mar. 2017.
Edna, dos Santos R., et al. "Preparation and Characterization of the Nutritive Value of Flour Made from Acai (Euterpe oleracea, Mart.) Seeds." The Natural Products Journal. Bentham Science Publishers, 1 Sept. 2014. Web. 3 Mar. 2017.
Moura, Roberto Soares de, et al. "Effects of Euterpe Oleracea Mart. (AÇAÍ) Extract in Acute Lung Inflammation Induced by Cigarette Smoke in the Mouse." Phytomedicine 19.s 3–4 (2012): 262–269. Web. 3 Mar. 2017.
Schauss, Alexander G., et al. "Antioxidant Capacity and Other Bioactivities of the Freeze-Dried Amazonian Palm Berry, Euterpe Oleraceae Mart. (Acai)." Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 54.22 (2006): 8604–8610. Web.
"Açai (Euterpe oleracea)." Texas A&M University. 12 Jan. 2006. Web. 3 Mar. 2017.
Laslo, Mara, et al. "A Botanical Containing Freeze Dried Açai Pulp Promotes Healthy Aging and Reduces Oxidative Damage in Sod1 Knockdown Flies." AGE 35.4 (2012): 1117–1132. Web.
Carvalho-Peixoto, Jacqueline, et al. "Consumption of Açai ( Euterpe Oleracea Mart.) Functional Beverage Reduces Muscle Stress and Improves Effort Tolerance in Elite Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Intervention Study." Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism 40.7 (2015): 725–733. Web.
Alqurashi, Randah M, et al. "Consumption of a Flavonoid-Rich Açai Meal Is Associated with Acute Improvements in Vascular Function and a Reduction in Total Oxidative Status in Healthy Overweight Men1,2 ." The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 104.5 (2016): 1227–1235. Web. 3 Mar. 2017.
Poulose, Shibu M., and Barbara Shukitt-Hale. "Functional Role of Walnuts and Açaí Fruits on Brain Health." Tropical and Subtropical Fruits: Flavors, Color, and Health Benefits. Boston, MA: American Chemical Society (ACS), Jan. 2013. 171–187. Web.
Carey, Amanda N., et al. "Dietary Supplementation with the Polyphenol-Rich Açaí Pulps (Euterpe Oleracea Mart.) Improves Cognition in Aged Rats and Attenuates Inflammatory Signaling in BV-2 Microglial Cells." Nutritional Neuroscience (2015): 1–8. Web.

†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Global Healing Center does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. The views and nutritional advice expressed by Global Healing Center are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.