What do you know about açaí?

What do you know about açaí?

After a long period write my thesis guess what... I´m back!!!

And today I show you a small Brazilian treasure called AÇAÍ!!!

Euterpe Oleracea Mart: Açaí is a little fruit from Amazon and have good benefits for health. Let´s see some of them!

Açaí pulp has high levels of Omegas 6 and 9 fatty acids, carbohydrates, fibers, vitamin E, proteins, Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Zinc(Zn), Cupper (Cu), Chromium (Cr) and large amount of antioxidants.  

Antioxidant effects

Its antioxidant effects have the ability to act against superoxide and peroxyl radicals, free radicals that cause oxidation in our body. The predominant phytochemicals found in the pulp of the acai berry are anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins, and other flavonoids. Besides that there are some phenolic compounds that act as antioxidant. 

How these complicated names work? Let me explain...

 

Anthocyanins are water-soluble molecules responsible for the dark color of the acai pulp. Until the current studies, the action was checked anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant. Moreover, prevents oxidation of LDL, cardiovascular and neurological disorders. Then the darker flesh color, the greater the quantity of this substance. The phenolic compounds act as cofactors in biological action of anthocyanins.

Cyanin molecule

Antiinflammatory effect

Lipids present in acai pulp may be involved in inflammatory processes and reduction of nociception. This is because the effects can exhibit inhibition of cyclooxygenase COX-1 and COX-2 and the inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce the formation of nitric acid that causes vasodilation and cytotoxic effects.

Source of molecules that boosting your body:

Polysaccharides present in the pulp has the function of stimulating T cell and myeloid cells gamma-delta, which improves the immunological system.

Poliphenolic compounds present in acai can reduce the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes, because these molecules favor lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis, which reduces the risk of metabolic syndrome and complications of type 2 diabetes.

In Brazil we usually use the pulp in juices, jelly and liqueurs. However, parts of this fruit could be use for others functions. The oil has antimalarial action, while seed is used as compost and crafts.

The best way to enjoy all these benefits is consume the fresh fruit clean. But if you is far from amazon region choose the frozen pulp recently, properly pasteurized and without additivies.

I hope you liked this information.

Any doubts ask me! 

Barbie 

;)

Reference:

PORTINHO, J. A.; ZIMMERMMAN L. M.; BRUCK M. R. Efeitos Benéficos do Açaí. International Journal of Nutrology, v.5, n.1, p. 15-20, jan./abr. 2012.