Acai Antioxidants - How They Benefit Your Health

Acai antioxidants provide the body with the necessary tools to eliminate the harmful effects of free radicals. Acai supplies the body with high levels of antioxidants, which help the body defend itself against damage caused by stress and lifestyle factors. The immune system is also strengthened and supported with the powerhouse of antioxidants offered by acai.

Anthocyanin, an antioxidant responsible for destroying free radicals and lowering cholesterol, is the primary antioxidant found in acai. It's also what gives the berry its deep purple hue. Anthocyanin is shown to reduce inflammation in the body, increase blood circulation and help protect against heart disease. Benefits to overall eye health and nervous system function are also found by regular consumption of this antioxidant.

The antioxidants provided by the acai berry are also shown to protect the body against cancer and other diseases. The antioxidant properties in acai boost metabolism and improve digestion. This helps the body to burn fat and improve overall health by digesting and absorbing nutrients more effectively. Continuous consumption of acai provides the body with antioxidants that reduce the effects of aging on the body. It is also believed to help prevent the appearance of wrinkles and protect the skin against the effects of free radicals.

Compared to grapes, the acai berry contains ten times the level of antioxidants. Acai is also considered to have ten to thirty times the antioxidant content of red wine, without the potentially harmful side effects of alcohol. Acai fruit antioxidants are easily absorbed into the blood stream, which make them easily accessible and usable by the body to  fight free radical damage. Studies have shown that the antioxidant levels in blood plasma increase within a few hours after consumption of acai.

Acai also contains the antioxidant-rich Vitamin E. Vitamin C has been found to enhance the positive effects of Vitamin E and it is also found in the berry. The combined effect of Vitamin C and Vitamin E work together to become even more effective at destroying free radicals that could otherwise create chronic conditions in the body.

Proanthocyanidins are also found in the skin of the acai berry. Studies have shown that this antioxidant promotes better skin health by improving the quality of elastin and collagen that is found in the skin and connective tissues of the body. The walls of capillaries, the smallest blood vessels in the body, are strengthened and protected by this antioxidant. It also offers protection against cancer, aging and and heart disease. Proanthocyanidins have been found to increase the potency of other antioxidants, thus increasing their positive effect on the body.

The best way to obtain all the benefits of acai is to consume it in a freeze-dried or flash-frozen state. Because the antioxidants are fragile and easliy destroyed, the berry is quickly processed and freeze-dried into powder form or flash-frozen as a pulp. Since we are vulnerable to free radical damage from stress, pollution, cigarette smoke and other lifestyle factors, it is important to include antioxidants in our daily diet. Fortunately, acai antioxidants provide the body with powerful tools to fight free radicals and lessen their overall damage on the body.