| The Brazilian Acai berry is rich in vitamins, fiber | | | | Essential Fatty acids are what gets commonly |
| and protein, but these aren't the only health | | | | referred to as the good fats. It's the stuff that |
| benefits of acai. This dark purple berry is also rich | | | | raises your good cholesterol levels and lowers |
| in antioxidants and the good omega fats that | | | | your bad cholesterol levels. The two main |
| most of us don't get enough of in our diets. So | | | | essential fatty acids (EFA) are omega-3 and |
| let's take a look at why these are important. | | | | omega-6. There is also omega-9 as well, but our |
| Acai and Antioxidants | | | | bodies do produce some omega-9 on their own, |
| Like all richly colored fruits and vegetables, acai | | | | so this is not considered an essential source to |
| berry is loaded with antioxidants. Antioxidants are | | | | consume. |
| important for long term health because they | | | | Of these EFAs, the one that most of us are |
| counteract the effects of free radicals. And free | | | | deficient in is Omega-3. And deficiencies in |
| radicals contribute to all kinds of diseases that | | | | essential fatty acids can contribute to cancer, |
| shorten our longevity, particularly heard disease | | | | depression, increased risk of heart attacks and |
| and cancer. | | | | other serious health conditions. This is where acai |
| So it's important to get lots of antioxidants in | | | | comes in. It is rich in all of the Omega fats, |
| your diet. You can do this by consuming plenty of | | | | including Omega-3. So an acai supplement can |
| brightly colored fruits and vegetables such as | | | | definitely help increase our consumption of |
| carrots, tomatoes and even red wine. What | | | | Omega-3. |
| makes acai a particularly attractive addition to | | | | Of course, antioxidants and EFAs aren't the only |
| your diet is that the acai berry packs quite the | | | | reason to consider adding some acai to your diet. |
| antioxidant punch. This little pitted berry has twice | | | | Acai is also a great source of fiber, protein and |
| as much antioxidant power as blueberries, one of | | | | vitamins, particularly the B vitamins. They even |
| the fruits that is well known as one of our best | | | | have plant sterols which recent research is |
| sources. | | | | showing is another health benefit we should try |
| Acai and Essential Fatty Acids | | | | getting more of in our diets. |