What is the acai berry?

The acai berry is an inch-long, reddish-purple fruit. It comes from the acai palm tree, which is native to Central and South America.

Some studies show that acai fruit pulp is even richer in antioxidants than cranberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, or blueberries.

 - Beneficial antioxidant effects: The acai berry contains antioxidants, substances that fight harmful molecules, known as free radicals. Too many free radicals can cause damage to human tissues and lead to a wide variety of medical disorders, including heart disease.

The acai berry’s deep purple pigment is responsible for its antioxidant benefits, which are similar to those in other dark berries, such as blueberries and blackberries. The pigment contains anthocyanins (pronounced anth-oh-SIGH-a-nins), a powerful class of phytonutrients — nutritious components of plants — that serve as antioxidants. Foods that contain anthocyanins have strong red, blue, or purple colors.

 - Anti-inflammatory properties: Another advantage of the acai berry is its anti-inflammatory effect. As the name suggests, anti-inflammatories fight inflammation, which has been linked to a number of health problems, including heart disease and stroke.

- Omega 3: Acai berry fruit is actually richer in Omega 3’s than some types of fish per ounce. This fruit is also a great source of antioxidants known as anthocyanins that have been shown to prevent heart disease. Blueberries also contain these same antioxidants, but acai berries are the only berry to contain measurable amounts of Omega 3’s. 

Disclaimer: The information contained in this listing is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to prescribe, or treat. It is not intended to be a substitute for a health care provider's consultation. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.