Acai antioxidant juice... it could be one of the best sources of antioxidants on the market today.
Fans say the fruit (which comes to the U.S. as frozen pulp) not only tastes good, but also is good for you - it's packed with anthocyanins, the same antioxidants that give red wine its health benefits.
Anthocyanins are a group of phytochemicals often found in red wine and thought to contribute to the French paradox. France has one of the lowest incidences of heart disease of any westernized society despite a prevalence of smoking and a diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol. The Açai berry contains 10-30 times the anthocyanins found in red wine.
This dark, purple berry known as "The Wine of the Amazon" is packed full of natural antioxidants, including vitamin C, vitamin E and phytonutrients called anthocyanins. These phytonutrients appear to protect the cells' DNA from damage. Studies show that Acai provides more antioxidants than such foods as blueberries, oranges and even red wine.
The antioxidants in the Açaí fruit is five times higher than that of Gingko biloba, the popular "brain boosting" herbal supplement that is known for its antioxidant properties. Research on Acai has shown that these antioxidants are known to fight and regulate cholesterol levels in the body.
In fact, the University of Florida scientists are even studying the positive health effects of the Acai berry. While they are encouraged by the preliminary results in their cancer-fighting tests, they want to scientifically prove the many health claims made about the Acai berry.
Stephen Talcott, an assistant professor with the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, says, "Acai berries are already considered one of the richest fruit sources of antioxidants."