Historical uses of the Acai berry
fruit
Acai has been a traditional food for several centuries of the native people
living in the Amazon forest. However it was only a few years ago, about the year
2000, that the acai berry was introduced to the Western market. More information
at acai berry.
Acai berry extract benefit
Apparently the dark purple skin of the acai berry has many times the anthocyanin content
as red wine. The antioxidants in acai berry extract could be helpful for several health
conditions but research is not yet available to let us know which conditions
acai extract would benefit. Acai also has plant sterols, essential fatty acids, and fiber.
Antioxidant and protection of
brain cells
Frozen fruit pulp of Euterpe oleraceae Mart. (Acai) prevents hydrogen
peroxide-induced damage in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and
hippocampus of rats.
J Med Food. 2009 Oct;12(5):1084-8. Spada PD, Dani C, Bortolini GV,
Funchal C, Henriques JA, Salvador M.Laboratório de Estresse Oxidativo e
Antioxidantes, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade de Caxias do Sul,
Caxias do Sul, Brazil.
Oxidative stress is implicated in several human illnesses, including
neurological disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
Acai is largely consumed in Brazil and contains high levels of
antioxidant compounds. This work aims to study the antioxidant activity
of acai frozen fruit pulp in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and
cerebellum of rats treated with the oxidizing agent hydrogen peroxide
(H(2)O(2)). Pretreatment of tissue with acai decreased H(2)O(2)-induced
damage of both lipids and proteins in all tissues tested. This fruit was
also able to reduce the activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide
dismutase and catalase to basal levels. We observed a negative
correlation between the polyphenol content of acai and the levels of
lipid and protein damage (r = -0.569; P <or= .05), suggesting the
participation of polyphenols in the observed antioxidant activity. These
data suggest that acai has a positive contribution in the development of
age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
Acai Benefit as Vasodilator
Polyphenols in acai berry have the ability to act as vasodilators, which means
they can dilate blood vessels. This means acai berry extract could potentially
be beneficial in conditions where blood vessel dilation is benecial.
Endothelium-dependent vasodilator effect of Euterpe
oleracea Mart. (Acai) extracts in mesenteric vascular bed of the rat.
Vascul Pharmacol. 2006 Sep 1; Department of Pharmacology and Psychobiology,
IBRAG, UERJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) a fruit from the Amazon region, largely
consumed in Brazil is rich in polyphenols. Experiments were undertaken to
determine whether hydro-alcoholic extract obtained from acai induces a
vasodilator effect in the rat mesenteric vascular bed precontracted with
norepinephrine and, if so, to elucidate the underlying mechanism. The present
study demonstrates that the vasodilator effect of acai extract is dependent on
activation of nitric oxide -cGMP pathway and may also involve
endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor release. The vasodilator effect
suggest a possibility to use acai berry extract as a medicinal plant, in the
treatment of cardiovascular diseases and perhaps other medical conditions.
Weight loss
Q. I have read about acai berry tablets, or juice, or powder works to help lose
weight? Is this true?
A. We have not seen any evidence that acai berry products help with
weight loss.
Acai berry availability
Acai is sold as capsules, and can be placed in smoothies or made into bars. You
will also find acai berry made into acai juice. Acai pulp is also useful.
Acai fruit juice and acai berry juice.
Acai Berry Summary
Human studies with acai fruit or acai extract are lacking, therefore no firm
statements can be made regarding the clinical uses of this plant. However,
eating acai berry or taking an acai berry supplement as part of a healthy diet
seems to be a reasonable approach. An acai berry extract supplement can be taken
once or twice a week with breakfast.
Acai Berry nutrient composition
Phytochemical and Nutrient Composition of the Freeze-Dried Amazonian Palm Berry,
Euterpe oleraceae Mart. ( Acai ).
J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Nov 1;54(22):8598-8603. Schauss AG, Wu X, Prior RL,
Ou B, Patel D, Huang D, Kababick JP.
Natural and Medicinal Products Research, AIMBR Life Sciences, 4117 South
Meridian, Puyallup, Washington 98373, Agriculture Research Service, Arkansas
Children's Nutrition Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1120 Marshall
Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72202, Department of Physiology and Biophysics,
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Little Rock,
Arkansas 72205, Brunswick Laboratories, 6 Thatcher Lane, Wareham, Massachusetts
02571, Integrated Biomolecule Corporation, 2005 E. Innovation Park Drive,
Tucson, Arizona 85755, Food Science and Technology Program, Department of
Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore, and
Flora Research, 32158 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, California 92675.
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