Acai Berry is a fruit with dark purple skin and a yellow flesh surrounding a large seed that grows on palm trees in the rainforests of Central and South America. It is rich in vitamins, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids, trace minerals, and powerful antioxidants. Being rich in a variety of vital nutrients, Acai berries are often called a superfood. Although there is limited research, the proponents claim the berries can help in variety of health problems, including arthritis pain, compromised immunity, overweight, erectile dysfunction, impaired cognitive function, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. Acai berry is also commonly used to treat skin blemish and aging in order to improve appearance.
Instead of spending all day working on your appearance trying to look good for that perfect date, why not add some wholesome acai berries to your diet? We all spend a lot of time working on our appearance (perhaps women more than men) but it only takes a few simple steps to reveal and amplify your natural looks. Acai berry benefits the skin as well as health and boost brain function. Just a handful of berries or a tablespoon of the powder will have you a strong heart, good appearance, and better brain functions.
In this post, you will learn 16 acai berry benefits for your health and beauty along with some important information on how to use the berries.
Before we go into the benefits, allow me to tell you some basic information about this superfood. Acai berries are full of healthy fats yet low in sugar unlike most fruits and it offers all the essential daily nutrients. Because they contain pits like olives, they’re technically not a berry but a drupe. These berries must first be soaked before you can eat them in order to soften the tough outer skin and then they are mashed to form a dark purple paste. Unfortunately, acai berries have a short shelf life and fresh berries are not available outside of their natural habitats. They are an exported food that is sold as a frozen fruit puree, pressed juice, dry powder or supplement.
Here are 16 Acai Berry Benefits
- Rich in Nutrients
Acai berries contain a vast of nutrients including plant compounds, amino acids, which improve muscle performance, energy production, endurance and strength; vitamins, including of Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and E; and trace minerals: iron, zinc, calcium, chromium, copper, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. Acai berries contain as much Vitamin C as blueberries.
- Anti-aging agent
Acai berries have vitamin C combined with vitamin A which clears the pores and increases collagen production. This makes acai berries function as an excellent anti-aging agent that keeps the skin plump and wrinkle free. As we get older the epidermal layer of our skin becomes weaker and tends to become much drier which causes a loss of moisture. Acai berries may be the perfect remedy.
- Youthful skin and appearance
Acai berries are rich in omega-3, 6 and 9 fatty acids. Each of these omega-3 fatty acids help the skin appear supple and youthful. Fatty acids can revive skin that looks dry, sags and becomes dull. To get these benefits, you need to consume the berries, in powder form or raw, regularly for at least 1 month.
- Improves skin health
Acai berries are rich in minerals and nutrients that can enhance skin health. These nutrients have been known to prevent acne, lighten scars and protect the skin from damage caused by UV rays. You will notice that your skin looks refreshed after adding acai berry to your diet.
- Helps strengthen hair
Acai berries promote hair growth because of the proteins and healthy fats in the berries. You may not be aware that increased blood circulation is essential for hair growth which acai berries can help improve circulation.
- Promotes cell turnover
The vitamin A in acai berries helps speed up the turnover rate of cells in your body including the skin. Your cells go through a “circle of life” meaning just like all living things, they live and then they die. New cells must be born to replace the dead cells and the goal is to replace them with healthy cells. The nutrients trigger the death and shedding of old, damaged and hyperpigmented cells to make room for the new ones.
- Aids in acne reduction
When acai berry is applied directly to the skin, the vitamin A is converted to retinoic acid which helps to get rid of dead cells that can clog your pores and eventually cause acne. This retinoic acid is what speeds up cell turnover. Retinoids are popular in skin care products because they are derived from vitamin A and behave in a similar way to speed up cell turnover however, prescription and OTC retinoids can cause a lot of irritation to the skin even if you do not normally have sensitive skin. This just another great reason to add acai to your diet to renew your skin without dealing with irritation.
- Loaded with antioxidants to fight free radicals
Acai berries are popular because they are rich in antioxidants especially one of the essentials ones which is anthocyanin. It protects the body against free radicals, which can cause damage to your body and eventually lead to various diseases and disorders. The body naturally produces these unstable atoms called free radicals to attack harmful organisms that cause viruses, bacteria and diseases. There are many external factors that influence free radicals such as cigarette smoke, pollution and radiation. Since the skin is the first point of contact, we need to ensure that it is protected. The effect of free radicals in the body is known as oxidative stress and this happens when an imbalance of antioxidants and free radicals occur in the body. It is imperative to increase the level of antioxidants in your body to minimize the damage to your cells caused by free radicals. When you apply acai to your skin, you’re increasing your skin’s antioxidant levels and increasing your chances to win the fight against free radicals and slow down the aging process.
- Helps reduce inflammation
Acai berry is a great anti-inflammatory food. The natives in South and Central American have used acai berry for healing because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Acai berry is a good choice for an alternative treatment for skin conditions that affect your complexion such as patches or discoloration of the skin caused by rosacea and eczema. The anti-inflammatory components of acai berry can help clear these conditions and other health issues that cause inflammation.
- May aid in weight loss
Acai berries Is a great alternative to foods that contain bad fats because they are rich in healthy fats that help the body feel fuller for longer periods of time. This makes it a great substitute for snacking and reducing weight. Acai berries have also been known to curb cravings which can also help you maintain a healthy weight.
- Improves the functions of the digestive system
Acai berries are effective in aiding the movement of bowels because they are fiber dense and the antioxidants contribute to the improved functioning of the digestive system.
- May regulate the nervous system
There are high amounts of fatty acids contained in acai berry which is similar to the quantity in olive oil. Fatty acids are known to promote a healthy nervous system due to them providing energy to the brain and nerves which results in the nervous system functioning better.
- Boosts sex drive
It has been suggested that acai berries can help boost the sex drive because of its metabolism and energy boosting properties. Once the metabolic rate and energy supply has been enhanced, it results in increased blood flow. Of course, this effect is more impactful for men as it increases their libido when their blood flow increases. 
- Improves brain function
Many brain diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are not curable but their effects can be significantly reduced with antioxidants. The antioxidants and polyphenols found in acai berry can improve brain health and slow down the aggression of brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
- Prevents Certain Cancers
Although more studies are needed, animal and test-tube studies, showed acai potential anti-cancer properties against certain types of cancers. In mice study acai pulp has reduced the occurrence of colon cancer and bladder cancer. Researchers have concluded that acai berries may be used in the treatment of cancer in the future.
- Improves heart health
The antioxidant anthocyanin is plentiful in acai berries, which is known for its heart-healthy properties. Anthocyanin lowers bad cholesterol, and due to this, it promotes a healthy heart.
We all can benefit greatly from adding acai berry to our diets. Look better, feel good and live longer!
