The acai berry is a tiny, little fruit that is only grown in the rainforests of Brazil. What makes this little berry so astounding is that it has been determined that the acai berry contains some of the highest antioxidant and anthocyanins levels of any food grown on Earth. The acai berry has ten times the antioxidant activity then red grapes and two times the antioxidant levels of another potent fruit, the blueberry. The acai berry also has ten to thirty times the antioxidant levels of burgandy or merlot wine.

The acai fruit is extremely high in two powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins and flavonoids. Anthocyanin is the substance responsible for the deep red to deep purple colors of many healthy foods including blueberries, red grapes, purple cabbage and lastly the acai berry. Foods that are loaded with anthocyanins are exceptionally nutritious and loaded with antioxidants.

Vitamin antioxidants such as anthocyanins and flavonoids defend the body from stress and free radicals. Free radicals are characterized as a molecule or an atom that has a single unpaired electron. Due to this unpaired electron the molecule is especially unsound and disruptive to our bodies. An antioxidant will pair up the random electron and stabilize the molecule. Both anthocyanins and flavonoids are strong antioxidants that defend the body from stress and free radicals.

Foods with high antioxidants are classified by what is called an ORAC score. An ORAC score measures the capacity of a substance to neutralize oxygen free radicals in a test tube. The ORAC score is noted as a number and the higher the ORAC number the stronger the antioxidant activities of the substance. The acai berry and many products made with the acai fruit have very high ORAC scores. The antioxidant properties of the acai berry are completely off the charts.

The acai berry is also substantially high in healthy fats and amino acids. Nearly 50% of the edible part of the acai berry is comprised of fat and 74% of that fat is from the exceptionally healthy unsaturated fats that are crucial to our health, Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9. The acai berry also contains 19 different amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein.

Vitamins and plant sterols are also lavish in the acai berry. Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and E are all present within this tiny little powerhouse. The acai fruit also contains potassium, magnesium, calcium, copper and zinc. Three plant sterols have also been found in the acai berry and these substances are said to provide numerous health benefits.

The acai berry tastes delicious and provides a healthy dose of fiber. You can partake of these healthy treats by eating the dried berries, drinking the delicious juice and even taking products made from the extracts. Yummy smoothies and desserts are also made from the acai berry.

There is ongoing research into the health benefits of the acai fruit but so far the conclusions have been that this tiny little berry from the rainforests of Brazil offers a huge nutritional advantage to anybody who partakes.

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