The amazing acai berry has garnished quite a bit of attention. Acai supplements, extracts, mixes and juices are popping up all over the place. They might prevent cancer, heart disease and even slow aging and promote weight loss. It was not long ago that blueberries were the big superfood. Are acai berries really so much better?
Blueberries and acai berries contain anthocyanins, which are phytochemicals. These protective phytochemicals are found in plants and help the plant fight disease and cellular damage. When you consume plants, you take in the phytochemicals and those protective factors benefit your body.
Phytochemicals also lend to the plants natural characteristics: texture, aroma and color. Though many plants contain a variety of phytochemicals, whichever one they contain the most of lends to the overall characteristics. In the case of purple plants, they contain high amounts of these anthocyanins.
Anthocyanins have several characteristics that make them extremely beneficial to the human body. First, they have high amounts of antioxidants. Antioxidants are known to fight free radicals and the damage incurred. We are exposed to free radicals on a daily basis: car exhaust, carcinogens, UV rays, pollution, industrial chemicals, household chemicals and even the foods we eat. Free radicals contribute to cancer, heart disease and aging among other health concerns.
You will also find anti-inflammatory benefits in anthocyanins. Systemic inflammation contributes to many diseases including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, weight gain and premature aging. Our Western diets high in animal protein and refined carbohydrates can cause systemic inflammation.
So, why are acai berries so much better than blueberries if they both contain anthocyanins? Are blueberries underrated?
Though blueberries are very good for you, acai berries have extremely high Oxygen Radical Absorption Capabilities (ORAC). This score measures how much they fight free radical damage. Blueberries score 2400 and acai berries score 5500. As well, acai berries contain a variety of essential amino acids that is nearly perfect.
The only bad news about acai berries is they are not found in the produce department. Blueberries are more available and can even be found for less in the frozen foods. If you want acai berries in your diet, you will have to fly to the Amazon or take a supplement. You probably want to steer clear of the juices due to high amounts of sugar or corn syrup. The small amounts of acai berry in these products do not counteract the ill effects of the sugar.
Your best bet is to enjoy the benefits of blueberries, acai supplements and a wide variety of plants in your diet. This way, you will benefit from all the phytochemicals, which tend to work together to improve health.
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