People love trends and fads, especially when they taste good and they’re healthy. Acai berries, much like other “superfruits,” are one of the healthiest and most nutritious purple berries on the planet. Pair that up, with the words, “anti-aging”, and you now have yourself public hysteria. We’re going to discuss some facts and health benefits of eating acai berries, and why this purple powerhouse is Brazil’s most famed superfood.

What Are Acai Berries

Acai berries are small, deep, purple-colored berries, that originate from Central and South America. They are rich in antioxidants, polyphenols, and most notably anthocyanins which give them their powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Acai Berry Nutrition

Let’s get one thing straight. Acai berries, super healthy, acai-bowls... Not so much. Acai bowls are loaded with more than just acai berries. They are topped with bananas, granola, coconut, and other tasty additions. It’s not so much that they are unhealthy per se, it’s merely the fact that they are loaded with sugar. One acai bowl can pack up to 60g of sugar, which is a lot for anyone.

The reason why so many fruits, are labeled as “superfruits” much like Acai berries, is due to the fact, that they are loaded with antioxidants. Antioxidants are thought to protect cells from damage, aka oxidative stress. By reducing free radicals and oxidative stress, studies suggest you reduce your risk of chronic diseases, like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and Parkinson’s.

Acai berries, however, are rich in so much more than just antioxidants. Half a cup or 100g serving of acai puree, provides 60 calories, 1.4g of protein, 18g of carbohydrates, and 0.2g of fat. Although not particularly rich in any one micronutrient, they do have other elements such as Vitamin C, calcium, chromium, zinc, iron, copper, manganese, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus.

Health Benefits of Eating Acai Berries

1. Pain Reduction And A Better Range Of Motion

One interesting health benefit that studies have revealed is that acai berry juice, may benefit a range of motion and reduce pain in patients experiencing osteoarthritis. A study published in the Journal Of Medicinal Foods found that drinking 120ml of acai fruit juice for a duration of 12 weeks, resulted in significant pain reduction, improved ROM measures, and improvement in daily activity [R].

Pain can have an impact on the mobility of joints, building inflammation and impairing movement. Given the combined antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of acai, it does seem to produce a significant analgesic effect to improve mobility.

2. May Improve Blood Sugar Levels

People who are overweight, particularly those with excess central adipose tissue, are at greater risk of developing dysfunctions in lipid and glucose metabolism resulting in a propensity for cardiovascular disease and/or type-2 diabetes. 

Studies have found that another health benefit of adding some acai berries to your daily regimen, may in fact improve and balance blood sugar, as well as total cholesterol.

Increasing insulin sensitivity with natural remedies could have a profound impact on diabetes cases. Oxidative stress is thought to be one of the underlying mechanisms behind the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes associated with obesity.

A pilot study published in Nutrition Journal found that consuming 100g of acai pulp twice per day, for 30 days, saw reductions in fasting glucose and insulin levels. There was also a reduction in total cholesterol with significant reductions in low-density lipoproteins (LDL) [R].

3. May Boost Brain Function

Research suggests that antioxidants and polyphenols can help reduce the risks of age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Acai contains a polyphenol called anthocyanin. Anthocyanins belong to the flavonoid family, which have powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Anthocyanins are primarily responsible for the many health benefits associated with eating acai berries and other red-pigmented fruits, such as strawberries, cherries, blueberries, and pomegranates.

Studies have shown that anthocyanins can reduce inflammation, improving cognitive function and memory in age-related decline [R].

Health Benefits of Eating Acai Benefits: Takeaway

Research suggests that a diet rich in antioxidants and polyphenolic compounds may lower the risk of age-related diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and brain disease. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables can provide the micronutrients and bioactive compounds your body needs to improve your quality of life and wellness. . If you’re going to add some acai to your diet, then grab it in powder, puree, or juice form. Since they are imported, Acai can spoil quickly, and rare to find fresh in the US.