• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

Acai Berry Nutritional Facts

May 26, 2010 by ModernMom Staff Leave a Comment

You’re up on the fashion and accessory trends, but are you up on the food trends? Among the latest fads is the acai, pronounced “ah-sa-ee” or “ah-sie-ee,” berry from the Amazon rain forest. Although the acai berry has been a popular food in Brazil for years, this exotic fruit arrived in America in 2000 and took the stage as a culinary superstar.

Facts

Acai palms, deep in the heart of Brazil, produce the acai berries. The berry looks like a purple blueberry with a large seed inside. Being in high demand and having to travel so far to the United States, the price on these berries tends to be quite a bit higher than their local counterparts. According to a September 2008 New Mexico State University newsletter “Nutrition You Can Use,” one juice that contained acai berry extract costs $1 per half oz.

Features

Acai berries are marketed as a superfood or miracle food. This claim stems from the fact that, like many berries, the acai contains antioxidants, which are believed to be immunity boosting and cancer fighting. In 2006, the University of Florida released a study claiming that the antioxidants in acai berries had destroyed cancer cells in lab tests. This is similar to the work done by other fruits and berries. Acai berries are also full of Vitamin C polyphenols and low in sugar.

Preparation

Acai berries have a distinct berry flavor with a natural, chocolate twinge. This makes them a popular snack. Look for fresh or preserved berries in specialty or gourmet grocery store, for a healthy alternative to chocolate or sugary snacks. A Texas A&M University study found that humans absorb the antioxidant properties of acai in juice form, as well as pulp. Buy acai berry juice or make smoothies to get the nutrition in a beverage. You can also find the berry dried and powdered in a supplement form.

Considerations

Because of the hype behind the high antioxidant levels in the acai berry, many companies advertise free or inexpensive options. These often come with high costs later. Some of the more reasonably priced juices are tempered with pomegranate, apple or other berry juices. Research the ingredients before you pay an exorbitant fee.

Tips

Antioxidants are found in many other fruits, such as grapes and mango, as shown in the University of Florida study. If you enjoy the particular taste of the acai berry and find a good price, enjoy using it in your diet. Diversify with blueberries, strawberries and other fruits for maximum nutritional benefit.

Photo Credit

  • loss weight image by gajatz from Fotolia.com

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Health/Fitness

About ModernMom Staff

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Search

ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

Featured

Kissing Kids on the Lips: Fine or Not?

I recently read an article that says that parents should not … [Read More...] about Kissing Kids on the Lips: Fine or Not?

Must Have

winter

Pre-Holiday Must-Haves

"It's beginning to look  a lot like Christmas..." The … [Read More...] about Pre-Holiday Must-Haves

Did you know?

How to Even Out a Spray Tan That Left White Spots

How to Even Out a Spray Tan That Left White Spots

Tell If You Are Pregnant While Breastfeeding

How to Tell If You Are Pregnant While Breastfeeding

How Long Can Cupcakes Be Stored After Baking

How Long Can Cupcakes Be Stored After Baking?

what type of vitamins help fertility

What Type of Vitamins Help Fertility?

What Will Draw Smells Out of a Closet?

What Will Draw Smells Out of a Closet?

Pregnancy and Sinus Pain

Pregnancy and Sinus Pain

Children Overcome a Fear of Water

How Do Children Overcome a Fear of Water?

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2021 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.