The Benefits of ORAC Values of Acai Berries

What is ORAC? ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity. It measures the ability to suppress oxygen free radicals. ORAC is given a unit value to measure the antioxidant capacity of a given substance. The higher the ORAC value, the stronger the antioxidant property.

The USDA recommends the daily consumption of food with ORAC values of 3000 to 5000 units. Fruits contain large ORAC values, that is why it is recommend to eat at least 5 fruits per day to satisfy the nutrition needs for antioxidant. Even then, such consumption would only amount to 1500 to 2000 ORAC units per 100 grams. However, in the case of acai berries, daily consumption of 100grams of acai berries would already attain the desired antioxidant ORAC value of 5500. That makes acai berries great food to be a part of your daily diet to attain optimum health.

Beware of Acai Berry Scam

NEW PRESS RELEASE ON ACAI BERRY SCAM (August 23, 2009)

An Illinois Attorney General just filed lawsuit against acai berry companies promoting scam acai berry products.

For more information, please vist their site: Acai Berry Scam Lawsuit


With the popularity of the amazing benefits of acai berries, a lot of companies flooded the market with acai berry products in different forms; food supplements, juice and diet pills. But the most popular are acai berry based diet pills. Now the big question is: Which of these acai berry products to choose?

When buying acai berry products, be sure to check the company first to ensure the credibility of their claims. Other companies also offer free trials, but beware! your free trial requires your credit card data which they can manipulate for their own gain.

Below is a link to a video on a news regarding acai berry products ordered online. This video serves as an eye-opener for you when buying acai berry products. It is not meant to discourage you, but to make you extra careful when buying products online. Extensive research always pays.


View Video of Acai Berry Scam

Acai Berry Trivia

Do you know that:

• the antioxidant properties of acai berries are amazingly high, unmatched by any other fruit and vegetables on earth?
• Acai berries may lower cholesterol level? -----since acai berries are known to contain large amount of protein and fiber, as well as omega 6 (which is known to lower cholesterol level) and omega 9 (fatty acids known to lower LDL bad cholesterol level). Regular consumption of acai berries as part of your daily diet may help reduce cholesterol level.
• Acai berries may help reduce risks of heart attack and stroke? ----Omega fatty acid are known to protect cardiovascular system and stroke, since acai berries contain large amount of omega fatty acid, inclusion of acai berries in your diet helps protect your heart.
• Acai berries may help promote healthy skin and anti-aging? -----The amino acids and high traces of vital minerals found in acai berries assist in proper muscle contraction and regeneration that minimize the damaging effect of aging.
• Acai berries may help patients suffering from leukemia? ---- A study conducted in January 2006 by the University of Florida revealed that the antioxidant property of acai berries triggerd a self-destruct response in 86% of the cultured leukemia cancer cells tested.

Nutritional Values of Acai Berries

The following are Acai Berries Nutritional Values:

• Antioxidant
• Antibacterial
• Antimutagenic
• Anti-inflammatory
• Cardiovascular Benefits

Acai berries contain high level of essential fatty acid proven to lower LDL & improve HDL cholesterol levels. They also have significant amount of antioxidants to help combat free radicals and premature aging.

Acai Berry provides as a good source of a specific class of flavonoids called anthocyanins. The ORAC value of Acai Berry is higher than any other berry in the world! The measuring value for an antioxidant property of a biological sample is in terms of ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) values. Studies showed that Acai berries contain an ORAC value of more than 1200 ORAC per gram, which is at least 12 times higher than the next berry with high ORAC values known. Furthermore, the antioxidant property of acai berries are 30 times higher than red grapes; and contains anthocyanins that is 10 to 20 times higher than red wine.

Acai Berry is also an excellent source of dietary fiber! Acai is extremely rich in organic vegetable protein which does not generate cholesterol during its digestion and is easier processed and transported to your muscles than animal protein(such as in milk or meat). Besides its outstanding content of protein and unsaturated lipids, acai berry is also rich in carbohydrates which provide your body with the necessary energy and vitality. No wonder acai berries are available in many sport clubs, gyms, and beaches in Brazil.

Other studies conducted on acai berries showed the following benefits:

• High concentration levels of antioxidants contributed to combating premature aging.
• The proanthocyanidine contents in Acai Berries are 10 to 30 times the anthocyanins of red wine per volume
• Acai Berries can help promote a healthier cardio vascular system and digestive tract, because of its synergy of monounsaturated fats, dietary fiber and phytosterols.
• An excellent source of fiber. Fiber promotes a healthy digestive system. Research studies suggests soluble fibers may help lower blood cholesterol. The insoluble fiber helps to reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancers.
• Essential amino acid complex along with trace minerals, which are vital for proper muscle contraction and regeneration.
• Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and E
• Essential fatty acids (omega 3, 6 and 9).
  The fatty acid ratio in Acai showed comparable results with that of olive oil. This suggest as contributing factor to the low incidence of heart disease in Mediterranean populations.
• Acai Berries contain plant sterols including beta-sitosterol. Sterols are used to treat benign prostate dyperplasia. Plant sterols have are als shown to help control cholesterol.
• Polyphenols: 16 (14 - 212 mg/L)
• Alpha-tocopherol
• Minerals: copper, iron, calcium, cobalt, chromium and manganese
• Dietary Fiber: 7 grams / 100 grams
• Protein: amino acid profile similar to
• Low glycemic index
• Content per 100 grams of Acai:
  * Acid: 0.13%* Brix: 45.90 g* Protein: 6%* Fiber: 16.9g* Niacin: 0.40mg* Phosphorous: 58mg* Iran: 11.8mg* Vitamin B1: 0.36mg* Vitamin B2: 0.01mg* Calcium: 9mg* Vitamin C: 9mg
• Ph: 5.21* Calories: 247
• Contains Theobromine- acts as a bronchial dilator to help open air passage ways in the lungs. This increased air capacity helps in oxygen intake, which increases endurance, strength, and athletic performance.

What Makes Acai Berries Great?

According to Research, acai berries have the following properties: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and cardiovascular benefits. The antioxidant property of acai berry is 30 times greater than red grapes, and 10 to 20 times more anthocyanins than red wine. That makes acai berries more than 200% anti-oxidant than any other fruit and vegetable known; and the best known source of antioxidant so far.

A university of Florida study in 2006 showed that the antioxidant property of acai berries destroyed cultured human cancer cells. Further studies revealed that it triggers a self-destruct response in up to 86% of tested leukemia cells.

Acai berries provide a good source of Vitamin C and Vitamin E. It also contain good amount of fiber that help promotes healthy digestive system and reduce the risks of developing some types of cancer. In Brazil, acai berries are used to treat digestive disorder and some skin condition. Essential fatty acids; such as omega 3, 6 and 9; are also found which contribute to low incidence of cardiovascular disease for people who consume acai berries as part of their diet.

To sum up what makes acai berries great? It's the amazingly high nutritional content of the fruit. The fruit can not be eaten directly, but acai berries can be taken in its processed form; and the best acai products are those who are immediately processed right after harvest or freeze dried in order to maintain its high nutritioinal contents.