Fresh Acai is More Powerful than Imported Frozen and Freeze Dried

When it comes to Acai, fresh is definitely better. New research appearing in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry has found that although the Amazonian Acai Berry has the highest antioxidant content of any food, certain commercial processing methods may strip the fruit of much of its nutrition.
 
Studies conducted by scientists from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the University of California, the University of Texas, the University of Florida and other institutions -- examined the antioxidant properties of Acai fruit as measured by the fruit's oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Acai products tested in the commercial marketplace had a fraction of the antioxidant activity found in fresh Acai.  Although Acai is impressive in its antioxidant content, none of the Acai products available on the market are as effective as fresh Acai Berries.

There are many reasons for the lower ORAC values of various Acai products that have been on the market for some time. Many Acai suppliers have not considered the issue of enzymatic degradation of the fruit. This breakdown of Acai’s healthful properties and resulting diminished nutritional value is primarily caused by poor

Healthy Fresh Acai

handling of the fruit from the grower to the processor and mistreatment of the fruit by the processor. Much of the Acai shipped from Brazil to the United States is sent in large frozen blocks that fail to prevent nutritional degradation. For that reason, many commercially available Acai products have low ORAC levels. The amount of time the fresh Acai Berries sit around in the sun after harvesting, the chemicals used to rinse the Acai Berries to kill bacteria and pathogens found in the Amazon, the pasteurization process required by the USDA before the Acai is allowed to be imported into the United States and the freezing of the Acai to prevent spoilage during shipping all contribute to an inferior health product that doesn’t come close to the nutritional value of the original fresh fruit.

What do you get with fresh Acai?

Fresh Acai has "extraordinarily high" peroxyl scavenging activity -- the highest of any food researched so far -- as well as high superoxide scavenging activity. The ability of Acai berries to halt the formation of damaging free radicals could have profound implications for treatment of a wide range of diseases.

Loaded with Antioxidants - The Acai Berry is especially noteworthy for the antioxidant properties afforded by its concentration of anthocyanins. Antioxidants such as vitamin C and E help the body fight off free radicals. They prevent damage to connective tissue while repairing damaged proteins in blood vessel walls. Studies show a link between the use of antioxidants to help in the fight against premature aging, cancer, cardiovascular and ophthalmologic diseases. Healthy hair and skin, natural energy, fewer headaches and a feeling of positive general wellbeing are just some signs of increased antioxidant intake. The antioxidant content in Acai Berries exceeds all other fruits.
-3 times greater than blueberries
-2 times greater than pomegranates
-10 to 33 times greater than red wine

Essential Fatty Acids - Omega 6-9 Fatty Acids (the Good for you fats), which are contained in the Acai berry, help battle harmful LDL cholesterol while helping to maintain beneficial HDL levels. Add to this the high concentration of phytosterols (which reduce blood plasma cholesterol); the heart-healthy and anti-aging properties of this fruit are beyond compare. It even has a fatty acid ratio resembling that of olive oil, which is thought to be a contributing factor to the low incidence of heart disease in Mediterranean populations. Deficiencies in EFA's is linked to many serious health conditions so increasing one's essential fatty acid intake may help improve mental focus (ADHD), help decrease the chance of heart attack and stroke and reduce the risk of depression.  

Vitamins & Minerals - Acai provides a natural range of important vitamins and minerals. Included are vitamin B1(Thiamine), vitamin B2(Riboflavin), vitamin B3(Niacin), vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E; and minerals such as iron, copper, zinc, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium. Acai berries are also high in fiber. Foods high in fiber help move substances through the digestive track and arteries and is said to help prevent colon cancer. These along with essential amino acids aid in endurance, strength, sustained energy, proper muscle contraction, regeneration and digestion.

Calcium - Acai has a significant amount of calcium. Calcium helps to strengthen bones and helps develop healthy teeth and gums. Calcium-rich foods tend to coat the lining of the stomach and uterus and reduce pain from cramps and bloating. Comparing Acai to milk, the berries contain 3 times as many lipids, 7 times the carbohydrates, 118 times the iron, 9 times as much Vitamin B1 and 8 times as much vitamin C. They also have the same amount of protein and calcium as in milk.

Low Glycemic Index - Another benefit of Acai is its low glycemic index. The glycemic index is the ranking of carbohydrates based on their effect on blood glucose levels. Carbohydrates that breakdown slowly, releasing glucose gradually into the blood stream, have a low glycemic index. Foods that are low in glycemic levels are slow to digest and be absorbed into the body's bloodstream and cause the body's blood sugar and insulin levels to rise slowly.  This benefits those who want to control their weight because it helps control appetite and delay hunger.  
People's vitality today is often expressed in physical activities and mental wellbeing. Due to the vitamin and mineral profiles of Acai, it can play an important role in maintaining a healthy diet.