Acai: Properties, Uses, and Contraindications of the Berries

Acai: Properties, Uses, and Contraindications of the Berries

Discover the Benefits of Acai Berries, What They Are For and How to Take Them

Similar to large blackberries and originating from Brazil, where for centuries they have been the basis of the diet of the Amazon populations, in recent years acai berries have become a popular ingredient worldwide, also thanks to the interest of scientific research, which has highlighted their nutritional importance and significant antioxidant, hypocholesterolemic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Let's see what acai is for, what its benefits are for the body, and how to use the berries in different recipes.

acai powder

What is Acai?

Acai (Euterpe oleracea) is a tree palm belonging to the Arecaceae family native to Brazil, where it still grows in the Amazon rainforest, especially in the swampy areas. The plant is well known for its fruits, the acai berries, which are attributed important beneficial properties for the body due to their high content of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, making them one of the most nutritious fruits.

Acai berries have gained considerable popularity in recent years and are highly appreciated by lovers of healthy eating and foods with high nutritional density who use them for the preparation of various recipes, so much so that an extensive cultivation of the acai plant has been started in South America to meet the high demand. Acai berries can now be found on the market in various forms: dehydrated, frozen puree, powder, juices, and supplements.

Description of the Plant and Acai Berries

The plant from which acai berries are obtained is a fruit-bearing palm; it grows in Brazil and northern South America and can reach up to 30 meters in height. Its fruits, the acai berries, are round drupes, with an intense dark purple color, similar to grapes. The berries grow on the acai palm in branched clusters of about 500-900 fruits: they have a large pit that constitutes about 90% of the fruit, and a rather granular pulp.

Acai also yields an emollient oil with antioxidant cosmetic properties, used in the production of skin products, but the hearts of the palm, called palmitos, and the seeds are also used. However, the pulp of the berries is the best-known and most important product, especially from a nutritional point of view.

History and Origin

The name acai (pronounced "ah-sigh-ee") comes from the indigenous term "wasa'i", which means "fruits that cry water." Although acai berries are one of the staple fruits in the diet of various Amazon populations due to their high nutritional density and energizing power, they have only recently become popular in the West, attracting research interest due to their important nutrient profile. They are a true symbol of Brazilian and Amazonian culture, as the acai palm cannot grow elsewhere being strictly subject to climatic conditions: the acai harvest, which takes place between November and December, is indeed a moment of celebration, as well as a fundamental activity for the country's economy.

The processing of the berries is also a fundamental process, important to preserve their properties and antioxidants. Acai is processed to obtain a puree from the pulp, sold frozen, or a powder.

Buy Acai Powder Terza Luna

acai berries

Properties and Benefits of Acai

Acai berries are a fruit with numerous beneficial properties for the body and are highly appreciated as an ingredient to use in various recipes due to their important supply of energy, nutrients, and micronutrients.

But what are acai berries good for? Primarily, these small fruits are attributed with properties such as:

  • Antioxidant and anti-aging
  • Protection and support for the cardiovascular system
  • Control of cholesterol levels and action on LDL cholesterol
  • Muscle regeneration
  • Anti-inflammatory properties
  • Antitumor effects
  • Support for blood circulation

Antioxidant Properties

The benefits of acai are mainly due to the anthocyanins contained in the berries. Acai is indeed very rich in anthocyanins, polyphenols responsible for the purple color of the berries, which play an important antioxidant role and are beneficial for cardiovascular health, as they improve cholesterol metabolism, reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and counteract capillary fragility, supporting heart functions.

The antioxidant power of acai berries combats premature cell and tissue aging due to oxidative stress and free radicals, providing an anti-aging effect for the skin, helping to maintain its firmness and radiance.

The antioxidant action of acai berries is said to be 30 times higher than that of red wine and 3 times higher than that of blueberries, both rich in anthocyanins and known for their antioxidant effect.

Among the most powerful antioxidants in acai is velutin, an anti-inflammatory molecule that combats free radical damage, providing energy and tone both physically and mentally.

Cholesterol Level Regulation and Cardiovascular Support

Acai berries are rich in proteins, vitamins A, B, and C, fibers, and minerals, especially calcium, and above all essential fatty acids (omega 3, 6, and 9). They contain oleic acid and linoleic acid, which are attributed with a cholesterol-lowering effect, beneficial for the cardiovascular and circulatory system, and for the prevention of numerous diseases related to high blood cholesterol levels.

The essential fatty acids in acai berries are very important for the circulatory system as they contribute to a protective action on the heart and cardiovascular system. At the cardiovascular level, acai has shown benefits in combating the natural side effects of menopause, thanks to its antioxidant and antitumor effects.

Support for Muscle Regeneration

Due to their content of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, acai berries have remineralizing properties, beneficial for muscle regeneration and protection. Acai is particularly recommended for athletes, and it is indeed one of the favorite supplements of Brazilian soccer players and surfers.

A study conducted on a sample of young athletes showed that regular consumption of an acai smoothie increased the total antioxidant capacity of the plasma, reduced the muscle damage caused by physical exercise, and improved the serum lipid profile. This discovery demonstrates how integrating acai into the diet, thanks to the polyphenol content in the berries and their high antioxidant activity and cholesterol-lowering effect, is an important support for physical activity and reducing muscle soreness.

High Energy Content

The fiber content in acai berries also provides valuable support for gastrointestinal activity, as they help create a sense of fullness, reduce hunger, discourage the absorption of fats, sugars, and triglycerides, and promote drainage.

Often a slimming power is attributed to acai berries, and for this reason, they are often included in diets, but it is important to remember that these fruits themselves cannot make you lose weight on their own, and they must be associated with a healthy and balanced diet and regular physical activity.

Nutritional Values of Acai Berries

Acai berries are renowned for their interesting nutritional profile, which makes them an extremely nutritious fruit. In addition to being rich in anthocyanins, acai berries also contain:

  • Minerals like calcium and iron
  • Vitamins A and C
  • Fiber
  • Phytosterols
  • Oleic acid
  • Linoleic acid

Contraindications

There are no particular contraindications or side effects associated with acai berries and their intake. However, it is advisable not to overdo the doses, as the high fiber content could cause, as with many other fruits, stomach problems and bloating.

There may also be allergies to the plant, although rare, which could cause skin reactions. It is instead not recommended to consume acai during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as there are no studies on their safety.

There are no interactions between the consumption of acai berries and the intake of medications.

How to Use Acai Berries: How to Take Them?

Acai has become very popular, becoming one of the most used ingredients by health-conscious enthusiasts and nutrition lovers, thanks to its high nutritional density. But how to use acai berries?

Usually, frozen berries can be found on the market, already ready in a puree, or in powder. Acai powder is the most recommended product, as frozen acai purees often contain added sugars, additives, and preservatives.

In both forms, acai berries can be added to yogurt, with granola, muesli, seeds, fruit, and cereals, used to prepare the famous acai bowls, inserted into smoothies, juices, and smoothies, but also used to prepare a hot acai tea or infusion.

Acai powder is very suitable for all types of preparation, it can be easily added to doughs, such as cakes, pancakes, muffins, and crepes, used to make acai ice cream, or in chia pudding.

In this article, we wanted to list some recipes to make the best use of acai berries and incorporate them into your daily diet.

Buy Acai Powder on Terza Luna

Acai Bowl

The acai bowl is probably the most famous recipe that involves the use of acai: very popular in the United States, it is slowly spreading as a healthy and nutritious breakfast worldwide. It can be made in different ways, but has two fundamental ingredients: acai berries and a frozen fruit, such as banana. These are colorful bowls of a very dense smoothie, halfway between ice cream and a smoothie, prepared with acai berries (powder or frozen puree), and decorated with various toppings such as granola, cereals, fresh fruit, dried fruit, seeds, and much more. Other variations involve blending acai berries with other ingredients like yogurt, fresh fruit, ice, and plant-based milk to achieve the typical dense and velvety consistency of acai bowls. Here we propose a very simple basic recipe that uses Terza Luna's acai powder.

Ingredients

  • 5 g of acai powder
  • 30 ml of soy milk (or other plant-based beverage)
  • 250 g of Greek yogurt
  • A teaspoon of honey or agave syrup
  • Half a frozen banana (or other frozen fruit, such as strawberries or zucchini)
  • Choice of toppings (berries, granola, chia seeds, dried fruit...)

Procedure

  • Blend together the yogurt, acai powder, honey, plant-based milk, and frozen banana until you get a thick purple puree.
  • Pour into a bowl and decorate as desired with chosen toppings, creating different shapes and geometries.

Chia Pudding with Acai

For those who love chia pudding, adding acai powder to this preparation is a great way to create an alternative and very substantial acai bowl, a rich, hearty, and nutritious breakfast to start the day off right. Chia pudding with acai can also be prepared in advance, as it takes at least a few hours for the chia seeds to swell, so it is advisable to prepare it in the evening and leave it in the refrigerator overnight, ready to be eaten in the morning. Let's see how to prepare it.

Do you want to create an acai bowl with rich and tasty toppings and spices? Discover the Healthy Mood section in the Terza Luna online shop: we have selected dozens of products from around the world, rich in nutrients and beneficial for the body.

Ingredients

  • 200 ml of plant-based beverage
  • 1 tablespoon of acai powder
  • 4 tablespoons of chia seeds
  • 1 teaspoon of honey
  • Berries for decoration
  • Granola

Preparation

  • Pour chia seeds, plant-based milk, acai powder, and honey into a bowl. Mix and leave in the refrigerator overnight, or at least for 3-4 hours. If possible, stir after a few hours to prevent the seeds from settling at the bottom.
  • If the pudding is too liquid, add more chia seeds.
  • Once the necessary hours have passed, the chia seeds will have swollen and taken on a dense and gelatinous consistency, just like a "pudding."
  • Decorate with berries and granola, or with your favorite toppings.

dolci con acai

Truffles with Acai

With acai, you can make various recipes for nutritious and healthy sweets. We propose this preparation of truffles with dates and ashwagandha, covered not with cocoa but with acai powder.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of untoasted cashews
  • 1 cup of pitted medjool dates (7-9 dates approximately)
  • 2 tablespoons of açaí powder
  • 2 teaspoons of ashwagandha
  • 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons of peanut butter

Preparation

  • Blend all the ingredients except the açaí until you get a smooth mixture.
  • With your hands, create balls and roll them in açaí powder.
  • Store in the fridge. The truffles can be kept in the fridge for up to 10 days.

Buy Ashwagandha Powder on Terza Luna

What Does Açaí Taste Like?

Açaí berries have a very distinctive taste, tangy but very pleasant, halfway between berries, especially blueberries, and dark chocolate.

Recommended Dosages

Many wonder: what is the recommended daily dose of açaí berries? As we have seen, there are no particular contraindications related to consuming this fruit, which being a fruit can be eaten in large quantities without particular negative effects, considering the fiber and carbohydrate content, therefore sugars. Usually, if using açaí powder, the recommended dose is 1-2 tablespoons a day, especially if you want to enjoy the benefits associated with the berries, as smaller quantities would not be able to provide the mentioned benefits or ensure a good nutritional level.

Where to Find Açaí Berries?

Açaí berries are mainly cultivated in South America, harvested and processed for commercialization in powder or frozen puree form. Frozen açaí berries can be found in some specialized stores in organic and natural products, while açaí powder can be easily found online.

At Terza Luna, you can find high-quality açaí berries in powder in various sizes to suit your needs.

How Much Do Açaí Berries Cost?

Açaí berries can have different prices depending on the format and state. For example, fresh açaí berry puree costs around 25-30 euros per kg, while açaí powder for sale on Terza Luna costs 13 euros for 100 grams.

Buy Açaí Powder

Useful Links and Bibliography

 

Related Articles

Terza Luna Posted by Terza Luna
Plant Lovers