Acai Berries and their Antioxidant Benefits

Often called a Superfood, Acai berries are on the list of fruits having the highest antioxidant benefits.

So what exactly makes Acai a Superfood? The term Superfoods is used to describe foods with high phytonutrient content that research indicates gives much higher than average health benefits. The key with superfoods is that they have very high antioxidant content, along with vitamins, minerals and fibre.

So a Superfood has high antioxidants ... So what is an antioxidant? Antioxidants are substances that help protect against cell damage from free radicals. Well-known antioxidants include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, and flavonoids. Simply put they help in anti-aging, and help to protect the body against disease. Free radicals can cause disease and aging by changing the structure of the body's cell walls, DNA, and protein, disrupting their important functions, so by boosting antioxidant levels, the damage they can inflict is lessened.

So understanding what a superfood, antioxidant, and free radicals are ... what about Acai? Acai berries, have one of the highest antioxidant levels of any fruit. This is measured by an ORAC score (this is the measurement system used to count antioxidants). The ORAC score of fresh Acai is around 5,500 per serving.

Freeze-dried Acai and antioxidants. Now as fresh Acai berries are unavailable outside Brazil, we have to make do with processed Acai. This is when checking your Acai supplier is vital. Independent testing has proven that freeze-dried Acai keeps the highest ORAC score, compared to all other processing methods.

Easy to take as a supplements, or use Acai powder in smoothies, Acai is an effective and easy way to boost your immune system against everyday diseases and ailments. Along with a regular healthy diet enjoying fresh high antioxidant foods, some moderate exercise, Acai makes a solid addition.

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