Acai Powder: uses and nutritional benefits

• Anti-oxidant (anthocyanin): Acai powder is extremely rich in antioxidants. We find polyphenols (gallic acid, catechin, tanic acid and epicatechin) and a lot of anthocyanin. These phytonutrients neutralize free radicals released by the normal functioning of the body. This power guarantees the integrity of the capillary vessels and preserves the stability of the vessel walls, which increases its cardiovascular protective potential. The antioxidant capacity is estimated at 102,700 µmol TE/100 g: that is to say a very high antioxidant capacity.

• Cardiovascular protector (fiber, oleic acid, potassium): Acai powder is rich in fiber. Fiber reduces the absorption of dietary cholesterol. Combined with their intake of oleic acid (omega-9), this increases cardiovascular protection. In addition, they are naturally low in sodium and rich in potassium, which prevents blood pressure disorders.

• Slimming (fiber): Acai powder is recommended to fight hunger due to the high fiber concentration. They would also help with weight loss.

• Immunomodulating (iron): by fighting against iron deficiency, Acai powder contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system. Indeed, iron deficiency reduces resistance to infections.

• Contributing to energy metabolism (carbohydrate, lipid, iron, calcium): Acai powder is a vector of energy. Lipids and carbohydrates together represent more than 50% of the total composition of Acai powder. These two macronutrients are the only ones used to provide energy to the body. In addition, iron and calcium contribute to energy metabolism, that is to say the set of reactions which allows the body to break down macronutrients to produce energy.

• Blood sugar control (fiber): Acai powder has a low glycemic index due to its low simple sugar content, its richness in fiber, lipids and the majority of complex carbohydrates it contains. Acai powder slows the absorption of carbohydrates, which helps the body regulate blood sugar levels.

• Laxative (fiber): fibers represent a quarter of the total composition of Acai powder. This contribution is beneficial for digestive transit. In fact, the fibers have the particularity of swelling like sponges when in contact with water. Within the intestinal lumen, they will increase the volume of stools, which accelerates digestive transit.

• Hepatoprotective : a scientific study carried out on mice suffering from alcoholic fatty liver disease, shows a significant reduction in markers of hepatic stress (ASAT, ALT, MD, TG, TNF-alpha and IL-6) in the blood, and an increase in GSH and SOD, when the latter are supplemented with Acai powder. In addition, histological analysis of the liver indicates better organization of the liver compared to mice not supplemented with Acai berry. The study concludes on a potential protective effect of alcoholic liver damage by Acai berries. Further studies are necessary to confirm this benefit in humans.

• Anti-fatigue (iron): iron gives Acai powder the ability to reduce fatigue.

• Participant in tissue growth (calcium, iron): calcium and iron play a role in the cell division process. They intervene in the duplication of cells which allows tissues to grow and regenerate.

• Mental tonic (iron): Acai powder compensates for iron deficiencies. By this means, it fights against the decline in intellectual performance.

• Nervous rebalancing (calcium, potassium): Acai powder is full of minerals such as calcium and potassium. These two minerals participate in the functioning of the nervous system. The movements of potassium between the membranes of neurons allow the advancement of information. Calcium ensures the release of neurotransmitters between the synaptic clefts (area between two neurons), it therefore participates in the activation of the next neuron.

• Anti-anemic (iron): iron is a trace element extremely well represented in Acai powder. Indeed, one tablespoon of Acai powder is enough to cover all of the daily iron needs. Iron is essential for the synthesis and functioning of red blood cells.

• Remineralizing (calcium): Acai powder provides a lot of calcium. Calcium is necessary to maintain normal bones and teeth: 99% of the body's calcium is located in the skeleton and teeth. It is essential for the formation of hydroxyapatite crystals, essential for the strength and rigidity of tissues.

• Participating in muscular functioning (calcium, potassium): Acai powder has the two most important minerals for muscle contraction: potassium and calcium. Potassium allows the transmission of nerve impulses, in other words the message that tells the muscle to contract. Calcium ensures the sliding of muscle proteins into them, which is the origin of muscle contraction.

The basket pinot is a large palm tree of the Arecaceae family. Native to South America, it grows abundantly in estuaries, swamps and floodplains of the Amazon. The pinot palm has different vernacular names, such as the "cabbage palm", "wassaï" in Guyana, "Açaï" in Brazil, or even "içá-çai" among the natives, which means "the fruit that cries"... This last name says a lot about its fruiting. The pinot palm bears dark purple berries, grouped in clusters along the stipe (trunk) of the palm.

The Acai berry is primarily used as a vegetable oil for rural medicine and also an important source of food. More recently, Acai berries have become very lucrative for local populations through global export. On the other hand, the fruit is not consumed fresh outside of South America, due to its highly perishable potential.

In the Amazon, it seems that the Acai berry is nicknamed "viagra of the Amazon forest". It seems that these berries have aphrodisiac properties and the power to boost male libido.