Exotic acai berries are superfoods and contain many essential nutrients. However, in addition to the undoubted benefits, the product can also bring harm. Before including fruits in the diet, it is worth consulting with your doctor.
Acai: a mysterious berry from Brazil
"Superfood", "royal berries", "Amazonian pearls" all refer to acai. Palms of the genus Euterpe, giving exotic berries, grow in Brazil. In the wild, they are found in lowlands and floodplains, but most of the plants are cultivated and grown on plantations.
An adult plant looks very impressive. The leaves are collected in rosettes, the fruits are located on long flowing shoots. The berries resemble black grapes, they have a smooth glossy skin with a purple tint. The pulp is light and juicy, with a small bone inside. The taste of the fruit is unusual, with notes of raspberries, chocolate and nuts. The trees are very productive, 20-25 kg of fruit are removed from them a year. The local population grows palm trees not only for the sake of berries, wood is also edible. For some Indian tribes, Euterpe plantations are the main source of food.
The beneficial properties of acai
The main advantages of berries include a large amount of vitamins, amino acids, trace elements. The fruits contain:
- vitamins A, B, D, E, C;
- anthocyanins;
- oleic acid;
- magnesium and potassium.
Thanks to this composition, the berries have a beneficial effect on the digestion process, accelerate cell metabolism, improve blood flow and prevent thrombosis. Regular consumption of fruits helps in the prevention of colds, improves the body's resistance to infections and viruses. An additional bonus is an improvement in the condition of the skin and hair, well-being, and increased efficiency.
Noting all the advantages of berries, doctors warn that many fruits have a similar composition. Almost all berries can boast of a high concentration of vitamin C and valuable amino acids, sea buckthorn is rich in easily digestible oils, rose hips are the leader in the content of ascorbic acid.
The main contraindications
If consumed wisely, the berries will only benefit. It is not worth expecting miraculous healings from them, but it is quite possible to count on a general improvement of the body, increasing efficiency, and improving the condition of the skin. However, the fruit also has contraindications.
Asai is not recommended for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. A high concentration of acids can provoke exacerbations in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. For hypertension and heart disease, you should consult with your doctor and get his approval. Berries can cause allergies, so people with hay fever need to be especially careful.
Often problems are observed in those who consume a lot of berries, eat them on an empty stomach, or come up with a mono diet based on acai. With excessive eating of raw fruits, stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and skin rashes are possible. Antihistamines will help to remove allergic manifestations, mild adsorbents and plenty of drinking will relieve other unpleasant symptoms.
