Acai Health Watch

Are you sometimes skeptical when you’re reading the health benefits of acai berry juice put forth by the juicemakers themselves?  You should be!  As you know, false claims (lose 10 pounds in 10 minutes!) abound when it comes to antioxidant-rich superfoods like the acai berry, pomegranates, mangosteens, etc.

Here’s a more impartial article from WebMD that gives it to you straight on the health benefits of the acai berry.

“Some studies show that acai fruit pulp has a very high antioxidant capacity with even more antioxidant content than cranberry, raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, or blueberry. Studies are ongoing, though, and the jury is still out.

People eat acai berries to address various health conditions. But so far, acai berries have no known health benefit that’s any different than that of other similar fruits.”

Acai Berries and Berry Juice — Are There Any Health Benefits?.

Antioxidants aren’t just limited to exotic fruits like pomegranate and acai.  They aren’t even limited to fruits and vegetables.  While you may know that going for colorful vegetables like spinach, broccoli and carrots will supply you with antioxidants, there are even more options!

What are antioxidants?  Antioxidants are molecules that help prevent cells from oxidation, a process that damages cells.  Natural foods like acai have been shown to contain high levels of antioxidants.

Nuts such as almonds and pecans also have antioxidants.  Beans and legumes are packed wtih antioxidants as well.  In addition, look for whole grains in anything you eat, from cereal to bread, pasta and more.

This article points out some additional antioxidant tips and sources:

“Don’t overcook veggies. The best way to eat them is raw, followed by lightly steamed. Cook them at the lowest possible temperature for the shortest amount of time.

Use the right oils and flavors. Cooking with fresh extra virgin olive oil and using spices such as sage, marjoram, rosemary and thyme will boost the antioxidant content of meals. Two more tasty sources are garlic and fresh ginger.”

How to eat more antioxidants – Press-Telegram.

We strongly support of eating superfoods as part of a healthy diet.  Hardly any effort is needed to integrate superfoods like the acai berry into your daily routine.  Some foods you may not have thought of, like sweet potatoes, have significant health benefits.  You may already be eating many superfoods and not even realize it!

Here’s an excerpt from a helpful list of recognized superfoods:

Citrus Fruits. It’s a known fact that Vitamin C is a great help in building up our immune system. Grapefruits and oranges are only two of the citrus fruits that are rich in vitamin C and other nutrients, plus they’re fun to eat too.

Tomatoes. A rich source of lycopene and other health-giving nutrients, tomatoes are often used as sauces for pasta dishes and other recipes. They can be eaten raw too.

Avocados. Avocados by themselves provide more health benefits than other foods combined. They are one of the best sources of fiber, and contain 60% more potassium than bananas.

Brown Rice. More people may find white rice more palatable but when it comes to the health properties, brown rice has more to offer. That’s because white rice has been refined and tend to lose much of its nutrients in the process.

Salmon. Fish is a great protein for almost any dish and makes an excellent substitute for red meat. Aside from raising environmental concerns, farmed salmon tend to be fattier and contain less nutrition. Every list of top 10 superfoods should have a protein and fish is possibly the best for you.

Acai Berry. It’s relatively new to the food market and basically impossible to get in fruit form in the United States, but the nutritional value of the supplements you can find is undeniable. While you can’t use it as a primary food source like many native Brazilians, you can use it as a supplement to the rest of your diet.

Your Diet and the Top 10 Super Foods: the Key to a Healthier Lifestyle: Naturopath and Homeopath, Portland, Oregon.

There is a particularly high level of concern as we enter flu season this year because of the H1N1 influenza virus.  In addition to vaccines and handwashing, what can we do to protect ourselves?

Good nutrition is an essential part of maintaining immunity.  Consuming foods with high levels of antioxidants (aka superfoods) like the acai berry are said to somehow protect the immune system.  That is not exactly the case.

Foods such as acai berries, blueberries and pomegranates do help the immune system with their antioxidants.  However, it is still important to have at least 5 servings a day of both fruits and vegetables per day, in addition to acai juice or supplements.

It’s not that antioxidants won’t give you a little extra boost, experts say.

“Antioxidants as a class have specific effects in enhancing the immune system,” says professor Jeffrey Blumberg of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science at Tufts University. “But it’s a complex system. You also need a lot of other things to have good nutrition.”

“The bottom line is that to have good immunity, you have to eat a variety of foods,” says Sherry Mahoney, director of nutrition for the Mayo Clinic, Florida. “Chronic dieters who omit a food group omit needed vitamins and minerals.”

Antioxidants may help, but not by themselves – Diet & Nutrition – MiamiHerald.com.

There are countless reasons why drinking acai juice is a great idea.   Kriss Goldback made a list of 39 of them.  So if you’re tiring of acai berry scams, just keep in mind the reasons why acai has become so well-known in the first place.

Whether you’re concerned about heart health, diabetes, immunity, digestion, skin care or overall well-being, the acai berry fruit may still deliver profound benefits to your body.

Here’s an excerpt:

“36. Helps maintain healthy teeth and gums: The calcium in acai may mean a whiter smile and stronger teeth, as well as the prevention of gingivitis and other gum diseases.

37. Improves mental clarity: Acai’s omega-3 fats are crucial for proper mental function and alertness.

38. Better sleep: The B vitamins and other nutrients in acai reduce stress and help brain cells communicate by assisting with the production of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin.

39. Promotes overall wellness: Antioxidants may provide one of the best ways to prevent disease, promote overall wellness and the slow effects of aging in an environment that is growing increasing hostile. Acai has great potential as an antioxidant supplement because research shows it has a great activity and possibly more benefits than other fruits and vegetables with antioxidant properties. The little fruit from the Amazon may have the best overall antioxidant profile to date.”

39Reasons to Drink Acai Juice Blend – Ecademy.