Acai

Studies have confirmed that açaí (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) is one of the healthiest foods in the world, an elite superfood! Harvested in the rainforests of Brazil, açaí is full of rich antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids. One of the reasons that açaí is so powerful is due to its extremely high concentration of antioxidants. It has approximately 10 times more antioxidants than red grapes and can have up to 30 times more anthocyanins (flavanoids) than in red wine. In addition, açaí boasts remarkable amounts of healthy fats, dietary fiber, and phytosterols to help promote cardiovascular and digestive health. It also has a perfect essential amino acid complex and valuable trace minerals, which is especially vital to muscle contraction and regeneration. It has a very similar fatty acid content to olive oil, another elite superfood. Furthermore, açaí is rich in monounsaturated oleic acid. According to Oprah’s personal health nutritionist, Dr. Perricone: “Oleic acid is important for a number of reasons. It helps omega-3 fish oils penetrate the cell membrane; together they help make cell membranes more supple. By keeping the cell membrane supple, all hormones, neurotransmitter, and insulin receptors function more efficiently. This is particularly important because high insulin levels create an inflammatory state, and we know, inflammation causes aging.” Although açaí may not be available in your local supermarket, try a health food or gourmet store and buy it in unsweetened pulp juice (the easiest way to consume açaí). Açaí is said to taste like a mix between berries and chocolate, which is not too bad of a combination, right?

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