Berry Good: 5 Health Benefits of Taking a Daily Dose of Açai Berries
Tricky to pronounce, but oh-so-good for you; açai (ah-sigh-ee) is having a real moment when it comes to healthy eating trends. It’s a fruit you’ve probably seen all over your Instagram feed lately, but the nutrient-rich berry has been used by the indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest for hundreds of years. Today, the vibrant purple fruit has exploded onto the health and wellness scene, making an appearance in everything from smoothies to your morning oats, and for a good reason.
Açai is jam-packed with nutrients and is especially high in antioxidants compared to other berries. Found on açai palm trees in South American rainforests, açai berries are a lot like grapes. The seed takes up about 80 percent of the berry, but the flesh and skin pack plenty of vitamins and other nutrients in the remaining 20 percent. Not to mention, the berries are only about 70 calories per cup.
The benefits of açai berries
The berry’s high antioxidant content means that consuming it daily can help build up your immune system and protect your cells against damage from free radicals. It high levels of anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that offer an anti-inflammatory effect. In fact, açaí has twice the number of antioxidants of blueberries and is also rich in Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9 fatty acids which promote both heart and brain health.
What’s more, açaí is packed with vitamin C and has a high calcium content, making it great for bone and joint health. It’s also packed with Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 and E. And if that wasn’t enough, it’s full of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc and copper.
Of course, even though açai is one powerful little fruit, it’s important to remember that you shouldn’t rely on the fruit alone to help fix your health ailments. Rather than looking for magic in one food or supplement, it’s important to eat a well-rounded diet. Think of your daily food consumption and vitamin supplement routine as an orchestra made up of a variety of instruments, that each work together to provide a myriad of health benefits.
How to incorporate açai berries into your diet
So, how can you incorporate more açai into your daily diet?
Sorry to burst your bubble, but there is one catch to this delicious purple powerhouse. The only downside to açai berries is their extremely short shelf life. They spoil easily, so they’re not exactly ideal for keeping in your fridge like other berries. The best ways to buy them are frozen (like in a smoothie pack) or in powdered form, like the Be Bright Pure Açaí Powder.
As the berries deteriorate within 24 hours of being harvested, Be Bright offers an option that preserves the berries in their best state after harvesting. The berries are freeze-dried to preserve the vitamins and nutrients, and then ground into an easy-to-absorb powder. “When buying açaí powder, first check the ingredients to make sure that it’s 100% pure and not bulked up with fillers,” advises Be Bright founder, Leanne Rohrs.
Tried & tested: My experience using Be Bright Açaí Powder
I’ve been using the Be Bright Pure Açaí Powder for over a month now and have been loving incorporating it into my daily meals. The powder is ideal if you want the convenience of using açai in a variety of ways. It tastes a bit like unsweetened dark chocolate, so it won’t overpower the taste of your morning smoothie or yoghurt when added. Even better, it is low in natural sugar and high in fibre, making it great for improving digestive health. It’s also keto, paleo and vegan-friendly, making it a great health supplement now matter what healthy lifestyle you’re following.
It’s recommended to take a teaspoon to a tablespoon a day to get the best results out of this wonder fruit. I’ve been using a teaspoon daily, and I’ve noticed loads of benefits from including a daily dose of açai into my diet. Since I’ve been taking the supplement I’ve noticed an improvement in my skin. I struggle with psoriasis and inflammation and using açai in conjunction with other health supplements designed to help improve inflammation and skin health has really benefitted my skin.
The health of my nails has also improved since incorporating the supplement into my diet. Psoriasis greatly affects nail health and before starting with Be Bright Pure Açaí Powder, I was experiencing a lot of breakages and splitting of my nails. The difference has been so significant that my nail technician even commented on the difference in my nails.
Starting your morning off on a healthier note couldn’t be easier with the Be Bright Pure Açaí Powder. The powder can be mixed with water as an easy daily shot, but it’s great mixed into smoothies, yoghurt, or even juice. You can also sprinkle it over oats or mix it into ice cream. It’s so easy to use and incorporate into your daily routine, and it has become one of my favourite ways to start my day. Especially taking it in a pure shot form in the mornings before breakfast.
Be Bright Pure Açaí Powder is available online at R650 per 200g jar. A 200g jar should last about 65 days, so it’s decent value for money at R10 per serving.
