Hidden
Nutritional Secrets of the Acai
Acai berries are loaded with Polyphenols,Phytochemicals, Anthocyanins,
what are they and what are the benefits of such compounds? A
great source of anthocyanins is Acai. Phytochemicals are the
beneficial compounds found in fruits such as Acai, vegetables
and tea. This is the protective living substance that plants
can grow in some negative environments like bad weather and
insect problems. When consumed by humans, these compounds act
as antioxidants so vital to good health and longevity. Many
studies suggest that the use of antioxidants may help in the
fight against anti-aging, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and
so many other age related degenerative diseases including ophthalmology.
Anthocyanins
are several of the most powerful versions of antioxidants. The
"French Paradox" is familiar to most: the French eat
horrible, unhealthy diets coupled with even unhealthier lifestyles
and yet they have very few instances of cardiovascular disease.
One reason may be that they consume large amounts of red wine.
Wine, made from grapes have very high levels of the antioxidant
anthocyanins. The polyphenols (anthocyanins) the effects of
fatty diets and smoking are believed to be mitigated by the
red wine. Anthocyanin, a polyphenol which is proven to reverse,
halt, and improve the conditions of many age related diseases
inflicted on the general population. Anthocyanins (flavonoids)
found in several fruits, a unique chemical structure present
in it, makes them more potent by 6 to 8 times when compared
to vitamin C One particular fruit, known as Acai (ah-Sa-E) contains
the most highly concentrated forms of anthocyanins known thus
far through intense research. The amount of anthocyanin content
in Acai has been so far proven to be 3 to5 times the amount
of that present in a glass of red wine, volume to volume when
tested in an ORAL analysis (capacity measure).
Anthocyanins
and their protective properties:
Inflammation and Collagen:
Anthocyanins neutralize enzymes that destroy connective tissue.
The antioxidant quality that is posses stops connecting tissues
from getting damaged and helps in repairing damaged proteins
in the blood vessel walls.
The
Nervous System: By preventing tyrosine nitration, the anthocyanin
properties in Acai may help protect against neurological diseases.
The primary anthocyanins in Acai berry called Cyanidin-3-glucoside
are known to reverse the nervous defects associated with growing
old.
Large
and Small Blood-Vessels:
Anthocyanins ability to counter oxidants make them a powerhouse
in the fight against arteriosclerosis. Even in trace amounts,
anthocyanins effectively protect against LDL oxidation. Anthocyanins
protect the integrity of the endothelial cells that line blood
vessel walls and help to maintain micro capillary integrity.
Diabetes:
One of the serious diabetic complications is retinopathy, which
in most cases can cause blindness. This happens when your body
tries to fix damaged and leaking capillaries and accidentally
creates too many abnormal proteins. The protection of anthocyanins
may help prevent these capillaries from leaking and to help
prevent abnormal protein proliferation.
Eyesight:
Anthocyanins may also help improve eyesight by numerous mechanisms.
During World War II, British fighter pilots were found to slightly
increase their night vision. These findings were thought to
be contributed by the large amounts of bilberry in the pilot’s
diet. The effect of improved night vision is not long lasting
but it is temporary after the consumption of the biliberry.
The bilberry fruits would be consumed by the pilots just before
a mission because of this new found advantage.
Sources:
Pigmentated fruits are known to carry the highest amounts of
anthocyanins. Fruits that can be eaten with skin on, offer the
highest value of anthocyanins. Acai, cherries, raspberries,
blueberries and bibberries are examples of these fruits.
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