7 Benefits of Açaí You Probably Didn’t Know

You know that purple, ice-cream looking concoction you see plastered across your social media feeds – that little bowl of delicious goodness that everyone seems to be eating? It’s one of the tastiest superfoods out there, especially when topped with a bunch of other superfood goodies. Okay, in case you have no idea what we’re referring to, we’re talking about açaí berries. While no one really knows how to pronounce this superfood (it’s ah-sigh-ee, by the way), it is best known for its amazing health benefits and nutritional qualities. Trust us when we say there’s more to these berries than just their Instagram and #fitspo popularity. In this blog, we’ll be delving into 7 acai benefits you probably didn’t know.
 

Açaí – The Superfood of All Superfoods

Açaí berries are found on açaí palm trees in South America, and closely resemble the appearance of grapes. While the seed of açaí takes up most of the berry, the remaining flesh and skin certainly pack a punch in terms of vitamins and other essential nutrients. Açaí comes in many forms, from fresh to dried, frozen, juice and açaí powder. Typically, those açaí smoothie bowls you see are made from açaí powder blended with fruit and some form of liquid. So, what are the benefits of açaí? Well, we’re glad you asked.
 

1. Improved Cognitive Function

A diet rich in foods with antioxidants is a natural way to improve overall brain health and cognitive function. Inflammation and oxidative stress are two major causes of cognitive issues, including memory loss and dementia. Research suggests that a diet rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory polyphenolic compounds may lower the risk of diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. The antioxidant anthocyanin, which is abundant in açaí berries, may lower oxidative stress and inflammation, promoting better brain health and function.
 

2. Anti-Cancer Properties

Another açaí benefit is its anti-cancer properties. Lab studies using different types of cancer cells have shown that anthocyanins act as antioxidants, prevent cancer cell proliferation, induce cancer cell death, inhibit the beginning of some forms of tumours and prevent cancer cell invasion.
 

3. Loaded with Anti-oxidants

 Açaí berries are rich in fatty acids and contain more antioxidants than any other type of popular berries. Antioxidants are important for your overall health because they neutralise the damaging effects of free radicals in the body. If free radicals are not deactivated by antioxidants, they may damage cells and lead to a number of diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease.
 

4. Better Skin Health

Another great benefit of açaí is that it can help enhance the health of your skin. Natural skincare products made with açaí oil are a great natural alternative to chemical-based skin care products that are filled with toxic nasties. Many people also use açaí to reduce scars, stretch marks and dry skin. And, the skin health benefits of açaí aren’t limited to external uses. Consuming plenty of antioxidants, which açaí is rich in, helps the body repair damaged skin cells faster, providing a more youthful and glowing appearance.
 

5. Aids in Digestion

Ever wondered why so many detox smoothies use açaí? It’s due to the fact açaí has strong detoxifying properties, helping aid in the digestive process. Açaí berries are considered to be natural digestive cleansers, helping the liver and kidneys to remove waste from the body. Furthermore, açaí is a natural colon cleanser, which means it prevents the accumulation of harmful toxins and undigested matter from staying in the colon.
 

6. Increased Cellular Health

The benefits of açaí go as far as improving the body’s cellular protection system, helping to keep cells strong against the invasion of free radicals. Açaí has been proven to have the strongest activity of any fruit or vegetable against the peroxyl free radical and superoxides, which can cause cellular damage.
 

7. Anti-aging Properties

Another amazing benefit of açaí’s high phytochemical and antioxidant content is the effect it has on ageing. Just one açaí berry has twice as many antioxidants as a blueberry and ten times as many as a grape. Furthermore, açaí is rich in several phytochemicals, which have been linked to slowing down and even reversing the ageing process.

 

Now that you know the amazing benefits of açaí, it’s time to go forth and enjoy this delicious superfood in abundance!