Content
- 1 What is this acai berry?
- 2 The value and composition of acai berries
- 3 What properties do acai berries have?
- 4 What are the benefits of acai for the body
- 5 The use of acai berries
- 6 Rules of use and application
- 7 Limitations and contraindications
- 8 Reviews of doctors about the beneficial properties of acai berries
- 9 Conclusion
The benefits and harms of acai berries are an interesting question, since exotic drupes have only recently begun to spread in Russia. Mostly they can be found in health food stores, they have a very rich vitamin composition.
What is this acai berry?
The acai plant, or vegetable euterpe, is a palm tree from the genus Euterpe that grows naturally in Brazil. It is actively cultivated in its homeland precisely because of the delicious and very useful fruits, which contain dozens of necessary elements.
In height, the eutherpe tree can reach 20 m, while the trunk diameter is only about 20 cm in girth. As a rule, it grows along river banks in groups of several trees.
Acai fruits are small dark purple berries, collected in large panicles of 500-800 fruits each. About 20 kg of berries are harvested from one tree annually. The fruits of the eutherpa are used in cooking and medicine, and they are also used to prepare a useful oil, which is used in cosmetology.
The value and composition of acai berries
Small berries of eutherpa have a rich chemical composition. The fruits contain:
- potassium and magnesium;
- omega-6 and omega 9 are valuable fatty acids;
- pectins and anthocyanins;
- cysteine, methionine and lysine;
- iron and calcium;
- phytosterols and cyanidin.
The largest share in the composition of berries is occupied by fats - as much as 44.5 g. In second place are proteins - 8.6 g, almost the same share is occupied by carbohydrates - about 8.5 g.
Vitamin content
The vitamins in acai deserve special attention. They are presented:
- vitamins B1 and B2 - 24,000 and 560% of the daily value, respectively;
- vitamin B5 - about 8% of the daily value;
- vitamin C - its content is 10%.
Thus, it is especially useful to use euterpa when there is a lack of B vitamins. Berries in the diet allow you to quickly cope with the deficiency of valuable substances.
Caloric content of acai
Despite their small size, the berries are highly nutritious. 100 g of fruit contains about 160 kcal.
What properties do acai berries have?
The special value of acai lies in the fact that not only fresh eutherpa fruits have beneficial properties. In medicine and cosmetology, dry powder from fruits, fresh juice and oil saturated with acids and vitamins are actively used, each of the products has a very positive effect on the body.
Benefits of Acai Fruit
Euterpe berries have more than just good taste. When consumed in moderate dosages, they are capable of:
- promote good digestion and remove harmful substances from the body;
- improve heart function and strengthen vascular walls;
- rejuvenate and moisturize the skin;
- strengthen immunity and prevent flu and colds viruses;
- intensify brain activity.
One of the properties of acai is to have a beneficial effect on the nervous system and to be beneficial during stress. Berries are used as a prophylaxis for oncological tumors; they prevent malignant processes in the body.
Benefits of acai berry powder
Dry berry powder contains a particularly high amount of nutrients. In the process of drying the fruit, some vitamin components are destroyed, but the concentration of others only increases, for example, there is a lot of tocopherol, iron and calcium in the powder.
Powder is used mainly in cocktails, and its beneficial properties are expressed in the fact that it:
- increases the level of antioxidants in the body and enhances the immune defense;
- prevents the spread of free radicals;
- fights with cholesterol plaques in blood vessels and helps the liver;
- improves metabolic processes;
- has a tonic effect.
Consuming acai fruit powder helps restore energy and alertness, improves mood and gives strength.
Properties of acai juice
Fresh juice obtained from the pulp and skin of the eutherpa fruit is very rich in vitamins and beneficial properties. It contains fiber and protein compounds, iron and thiamine, calcium. The juice is rich in fatty acids and phytosterols, but there is very little sugar in it, so consumption does not lead to an increase in glucose levels.
Acai juice increases activity, saturates the body with antioxidant compounds and improves overall endurance. At the same time, it is advisable to drink it diluted and in small quantities, otherwise a high concentration of vitamins can damage the body.
Acai oil properties
A useful cosmetic oil is made from the pulp of euterpe berries, which contains phytosterols, fatty acids, vitamins B, C and E, potassium, phosphorus and calcium, anthocyanins and phenols. When used cosmetically, the oil refreshes and moisturizes the skin, helps to fight not only wrinkles, but also age spots.
What are the benefits of acai for the body
The vitamins and properties of acai are the reason that even a small amount of berries has a pronounced positive effect, if consumed regularly. Berries help:
- strengthen the heart and improve blood circulation through the vessels, even out blood pressure;
- prevent the spread of free radicals in the body and thereby protect against cancer;
- normalize digestive and metabolic processes, establish a bowel emptying regime;
- lose weight and remove toxins and toxic substances from the body;
- cope with insomnia and improve stress.
Acai berry enhances attention and concentration. Their properties can be used to protect vision, they serve as the prevention of glaucoma, cataracts and night blindness.
For men
The main benefit of acai berries for men is that the fruits accelerate blood circulation. This gives several beneficial effects at once - the work of the heart improves, the general endurance increases, the reproductive system works better.
Eating eutherpa fruits improves potency and increases vigor. Therefore, it is recommended to use the fruits for men with a decrease in libido and simply with strong physical and emotional stress.
For women
For the female body, acai berries are beneficial for emotional changes and severe stress.Eating the fruit soothes the nerves, helps to relax and restore a good mood.
Also, euterpe berries are useful for women with painful and difficult menstruation. The fruits improve blood circulation and relieve discomfort, and the high iron content in the product prevents anemia.
The use of acai berries
Exotic Brazilian berries are used in several areas at once. They can be used to heal the body and take care of beauty, and in cooking, berries give an unusual taste to drinks and desserts.
In medicine
In the natural regions of the eutherpa in South America, locals call the plant the "tree of life". Acai has many beneficial properties and is used for health and longevity. Berries are used to treat:
- colds;
- cardiovascular ailments;
- digestive disruptions;
- diabetes mellitus and obesity;
- ailments of the joints.
For medicinal purposes, acai fruits are recommended to simply be eaten regularly at the same time as or immediately after meals. Also, berries can be used externally - to knead the pulp and apply a compress to a sore spot in case of inflammatory processes in muscles or joints.
In cosmetology
You can use acai berries for personal care. Their beneficial properties are especially valuable for middle-aged women - vitamins and acids in berries revitalize and smooth aging skin, and also restore hair.
For skin
The acai berry contains phytosterols, fatty acids and amino acids, vitamins E and B2 important for the skin. With regular use in the composition of masks, the fruits effectively moisturize the epidermis, promote rapid regeneration and cell renewal.
To take care of the skin of the face, you can use the following mask:
- several acai berries are kneaded to a state of gruel;
- berry puree is mixed with kefir or yogurt;
- the mixture is spread over clean skin for 20 minutes.
When used three times a week, after just a few applications, the beneficial properties of the mask will bring an effect. Wrinkles on the face will tighten, the skin color will become a little lighter, age spots will disappear.
The properties of acai berries are used not only for facial care, but also to improve skin tone throughout the body. To reduce cellulite and make the skin silky and smooth, you can do the following wrap:
- Mix 2 large spoons of acai oil with 5 large spoons of black clay;
- add 1 small spoonful of red chili and the same amount of olive oil;
- mix the ingredients and apply to problem areas on the body.
Then you should wrap the treated areas with plastic wrap for 40 minutes and lie down quietly. If you repeat the wraps every 3 days, then after about 10 procedures, the effect will be noticeable.
For hair
The beneficial properties of the Brazilian acai berry have a beneficial effect on hair - they nourish and strengthen hair follicles, and also restore damaged ends. The following mask is popular:
- a handful of exotic fresh berries are kneaded to a state of gruel;
- mashed potatoes are diluted with 1-2 large tablespoons of any vegetable oil, for example, olive or almond.
The mixture is carefully distributed over the entire length of the strands and rubbed carefully into the area at the roots. The mask must be kept under the film for at least half an hour, and then washed off using natural shampoo.When used regularly, acai will help stop hair loss, make strands stronger and restore their natural shine.
When losing weight
The beneficial properties of acai berries are in demand during a diet, they help to quickly lose weight and cleanse the body. Since fruits accelerate metabolic processes, all toxins, excess fluid and harmful substances are excreted from the body. It is best to take berries after meals - on an empty stomach, they can irritate the mucous membranes.
In cooking
Acai berries can be found in cooking mainly in dishes from the healthy food departments. The fruits are added to the composition:
- juices;
- tonics;
- smoothies;
- non-alcoholic fruit cocktails;
- ice cream;
- desserts;
- teas.
Also, acai berries can be supplemented with granola for breakfast, the fruits of eutherpa go well with cottage cheese.
Rules of use and application
After a detailed study of the appearance, benefits and photos of the acai berry, it becomes clear that she has few contraindications. But when using the product, it is recommended to adhere to simple rules:
- For preventive purposes and for general strengthening of immunity, 3-10 g of acai are taken per day, that is, no more than 2 teaspoons of the fruit.
- In order to reduce weight or cleanse the body, the dosage can be increased to 15 g, or 2 large spoons.
It is advisable to take berries on a full stomach, so that organic acids and vitamins in the fruit do not irritate the mucous membranes.
Limitations and contraindications
The harmless acai berry can be consumed by almost everyone. It is necessary to refuse them only in a few cases:
- if you have an individual allergy;
- during breastfeeding;
- with severe chronic ailments of the liver and kidneys.
It is necessary to use berries with caution during pregnancy, diabetes mellitus and tendency to obesity, acai is a high-calorie product. When using, you need to adhere to small dosages - an excess of fruits not only provokes weight gain, but also increases the level of cholesterol in the blood.
Reviews of doctors about the beneficial properties of acai berries
Conclusion
The benefits and harms of acai berries are well balanced, with reasonable use, the fruits of eutherpa have a beneficial effect on the body. If you take the berries a little, then the immune system and digestion will improve, first of all, the blood vessels and the heart will strengthen.
