Monday Bites

Sometimes, Mondays simply bite. You're tired from the weekend, angry to be back at work, or feeling guilty about midnight pizza...To lift your spirits, I'm going to post a nutrition tip every Monday. I'll give you advice on superfoods, vitamins and minerals, or the new fad diet. So here goes...

Açai (ah-sigh-ee) berry is quickly being recognized as nature's most powerful "superfood". A superfood is a food with high phytonutrient content, typically thought to provide major health benefits. It is a Brazilian berry harvested in the Amazon Region. Caboclo populations in the Amazon describe the açai palm as its most important plant species, because it makes up 42% of their diet. It is loaded with antioxidants, amino acids, essential fatty acids, fibers and protein. A recent study of açai pulp and skin powder detected high contents of anthocyanins (the compound that makes red wine so heart-healthy) and over twelve other flavonoid-like compounds (flavonoids are known for their antioxidant, as well as anti-viral, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities). The study also found açai pulp to have inhibitory effects on the human enzymes COX-1 and COX-2, which play roles in acute and chronic inflammation, and to have stimulatory effects on macrophages, white blood cells that are important for immune function.

Açai can also help to reduce cholesterol because of its high content of phytosterols and dietary fiber. In fact, 25% of açai's dry weight is attributed to fiber. Another 50% is attributed to fat - but not the bad kind! Rather, açai has polyunsaturated linoleic acid (omega-6 fatty acids) and monounsaturated oleic acid. Both forms of fatty acids, the "good fats," lower LDL (harmful cholesterol) while maintaining HDL (good cholesterol). They support the cardiovascular, reproductive, immune and nervous systems, and are specifically known to protect against cardiovascular disease and breast cancer.

Almost 8% of the weight of an açai berry is made up of amino acids (amino acids are the building blocks of protein, accounting for açai's high protein content). This taken together with it's concentration of trace minerals (iron, potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, copper, manganese, zinc and boron), makes the berry important for cell regeneration and muscle health.

But enough of the scientific-babble. I'll break it down for you. Açai is tremendously antioxidant-rich, meaning it helps to clean the body of toxins. It's synergy of healthy fats, dietary fiber, and phytosterols promote cardiovascular and digestive health. Its amino acid and trace mineral complex make it a restorative metabolism booster. So don't let Monday bite, rather pick up some açai juice and see for yourself.