NUTRIENT DENSE
Aside from having hi levels of Vit A and Calcium, acai berries also contain some other trace minerals, including chromium, zinc, iron, copper, manganese, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17824205/
But some of acai’s most powerful health benefits come from plant compounds.
The most notable one among these is anthocyanins, which give acai berries their deep purple color and act as antioxidants in the body.
LOADED WITH ANTI-OXIDANTS
Acai berries have an incredibly high amount of antioxidants, edging out other antioxidant-rich fruits like blueberries and cranberries.
In the case of acai, 100 grams of frozen pulp has an ORAC of 15,405, whereas the same amount of blueberries has a score of 4,669.This antioxidant activity comes from a number of plant compounds in acai, including anthocyanins. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16019315/
Antioxidants are important because they neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals throughout the body. If free radicals are not neutralized by antioxidants, they can damage cells and lead to a number of diseases, including diabetes, cancer and heart disease. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7619452/
MAY IMPROVE CHOLESTEROL LEVELS
Animal studies have suggested that acai could help improve cholesterol levels by decreasing total and LDL cholesterol. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22139433/
And it’s possible that it could have a similar effect in humans.
A 2011 study had 10 overweight adults eat acai smoothies twice daily for one month. Overall, they had lower total and “bad” LDL cholesterol at the end of the study. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21569436/
MAY HAVE POSSIBLE ANTI CANCER EFFFECT
While no one food is a magic shield against cancer, some foods are known to stop cancer cells from forming and spreading. Both test-tube and animal studies have revealed this sort of anti-cancer effect in acai. In mice, acai pulp has reduced the incidence of colon and bladder cancer.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25329001/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22961050/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24886139/
COULD BOOST BRAIN FUNCTION
The many plant compounds in acai could also protect your brain from damage as you age. The antioxidants in acai counteract the damaging effects of inflammation and oxidation in brain cells, which can negatively affect memory and learning. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22224493/
One of the ways in which the brain stays healthy is by cleaning up cells that are toxic or no longer working, a process known as autophagy. It makes way for new nerves to form, enhancing communication between brain cells.
As you age, this process works less efficiently. However, in lab tests, acai extract has helped stimulate this “housekeeping” response in brain cell.