Archive for the ‘Antioxidant Foods’ Category

Acai boosts the immune system

Saturday, March 7th, 2009

The immune system is a protection mechanism in our bodies that ward off bacteria, viruses, toxins, parasites and microbes that cause infection and disease. Boosting your immune system is one of acai health benefits you can take advantage of, with rich amounts of antioxidants and plant sterols found in this tiny superfood.

The best way to enhance your immune system is to tweak your diet. Load up on fresh vegetables and fruits like the acai berry for a sufficient supply of vitamins, minerals, fiber and enzymes. Acai contains antioxidants that protect the cells of your immune system from damage by toxins in the environment.

Protein is another acai health benefit that can help strengthen your immune system. Protein deficiency can lead to elevated blood sugar levels and a stressed pancreas and immune system.

Sleep deprivation is another factor that can compromise your immune system. Always get at least six hours of sleep each night for balanced hormone levels, healthy weight, clear reasoning, and better mood.

Dehydration weakens the immune system and can disrupt your chemical, nutritional and pH balances, leading to sickness and premature aging. To calculate the amount of water you should take in daily, divide your body weight (pounds) by 2 and drink that amount in ounces. Never substitute coffee or alcohol for water as they can contribute to significant fluid loss. Coffee also strips your body of essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium.

Another food item to avoid is sugar – it raises insulin levels that can undermine the immune system. Elevated blood sugar in your body reduces its ability to fight infections. Lesser sugar intake leads to better energy levels, weight distribution, disease immunity, and cognitive thinking.

Acai health benefits are numerous. But not all acai products are made equal. Pick the ones that do not contain caffeine or sugar. Supplementing your diet with acai berries, drinking lots of water, and sleeping well can substantially improve your immune strength.

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Acai berry for improved eyesight

Wednesday, February 25th, 2009

As we age, one of the first things to go is our eyesight. Don’t let blurred vision hamper you. Acai berries are known to contain antioxidants that help promote improved eyesight with healthy corneas, irises, and the rods and cones in the eyes.

Acai berries are rich in flavonoids called anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are very effective in fighting free radicals in the tiny blood vessels in the eyes, preventing retina disorders such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, and night blindness.

Acai berries can also help in improving night vision. This can be especially helpful for drivers who cannot see well in dim light and have difficulty recovering from glare from approaching car headlights.

Anthocyanins are so effective in improving eyesight that during World War II, bomber pilots of the British Royal Air Force would eat bilberry jam before dangerous night missions to improve their vision. In Japan and Korea, office workers are encouraged to buy vials of blueberry juice to help relieve eye strain from long hours of computer use. Acai berries, bilberries, and blueberries are all rich sources of anthocyanins.

Acai berries also contain anthocyanidins called Cyanidin 3-glycosides. These organic compounds stimulate the regeneration of rhodopsin, a pigment of the retina that enables vision in low-light conditions.

Purple fruits like acai and bilberries contain anthocyanosides which reduce inflammation and strengthen collagen. Collagen is the main protein in the tiny capillaries of the eye. Leaking capillaries impedes proper delivery of blood and oxygen to the eye, resulting in disease.
 
Acai berries can help slow down retinopathy – a common complication of diabetes that eventually leads to blindness. Almost 80% of all patients who have had diabetes for at least 10 years suffer from retinopathy.

Many acai users confirm improved eye focus after only three weeks of taking acai extracts, proof that enhanced visual acuity from acai berries is no old wives’ tale. For improved eyesight, why not give acai a try.

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Acai and Pregnancy

Sunday, February 22nd, 2009

Do acai and pregnancy go together?

Women trying to get pregnant might want to try acai berries to enhance their fertility. A diet rich in organic food like acai keeps the reproduction system healthy. And acai is great for maintaining healthy weight, a crucial factor in ovulation effectiveness.

Parasites and heavy metals are toxins that can cause fertility-limiting contamination. An excellent detoxifying agent, acai rids the body of toxins that can impede hormonal balance and overall fertility.

Nutritional supplements like freeze-dried acai helps the body absorb the maximum amount of nutrients. Vitamins and minerals in acai can strengthen reproductive glands and nourish the developing egg.

Free radicals can harm cells in the ovaries, follicle and egg. As you know by now, acai berries contain the most concentrated amounts of antioxidants than any other fruit on earth – antioxidants that can reverse the harmful effects of free radicals. Antioxidants are most potent when they contain extracts of superfoods like acai.

Acai berry supplements are also effective in boosting energy levels and sex drive, as well as keeping menstrual cycles and ovulation in order.

Is the acai berry safe for your newcomer?

Expecting women are naturally wary of what they eat or drink, whether it can benefit or harm the little one in their womb. The acai berry provides an enormous amount of health benefits, but because it is being marketed as a weight-loss supplement, many moms-to-be are cautious in taking acai-based products during pregnancy.

The acai berry is more than just a diet pill. Acai is all about pumping the body with nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants that are important to both mom and baby. With a great protein profile, acai berries can even help expecting women meet their body’s protein need, which increases by 30 percent during pregnancy.

For acai and pregnancy to work hand-in-hand, always read the label before buying any acai juice drink or supplement. As long as it does not contain caffeine and sugar, acai is perfectly safe for women who are pregnant or trying to conceive.

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Foods for a better quality of life

Wednesday, February 18th, 2009

Acai berries

Calories: 110 per serving

Omega 9, Omega 6, Omega 3 fatty acids: Similar to olive oil, these mono-saturated essential fatty acids help lower LDL (harmful cholesterol) while maintaining HDL (good cholesterol). Omega fights heart disease by promoting healthy cell development, and helps rejuvenate muscles after rigorous exercise.

Amino acids: Acai contains almost all the essential amino acids crucial to muscle development and regeneration.

Theobromine: Helps open air passage ways in the lungs for improved oxygen intake, which increases endurance, strength, and sustained energy.

Photosterols: Promotes healthy cardiovascular and digestive systems.

Antioxidants: Acai contains 10 to 30 times more antocyanins than a glass or red wine, essential to fighting premature aging.

 

Raspberries

Calories: 70 per cup

Vitamin C: Supplies 50% of the daily requirement.

Dietary fiber: Supplies 32% of daily fiber requirement.

Quercetin, ellagic acid and salicylic acid which can reduce pain and inflammation, fight cancer and heart disease, and control blood glucose.

 

Dried plums

Calories: less than 100

Dietary fiber: 3g per serving (4-5 plums)

Potassium: For stronger bones, helps fight osteoporosis.

Polyphenols: Helps control blood glucose, combat heart disease and protect against some types of cancers.
 

Oats

Whole grain: promotes healthy blood pressure, maintains healthy body weight, reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Fiber: Soluble fiber works like a sponge that soaks up cholesterol and removes it from the body; insoluble fiber is good for overall digestive health.

 

Milk, cheese and yoghurt

Calcium: Strengthens bones and teeth; improves sleep; alleviates PMS symptoms; and helps in muscle contraction, blood clotting, and proper nerve function. A cup of milk, an ounce of cheese, or less than a cup of yoghurt supplies 300mg of calcium, or nearly 1/3 of the daily requirement.

Protein: Essential to muscle tissue maintenance; helps regulate blood glucose for sustained energy.

Vitamin A: For good vision and healthy skin.

Riboflavin (vitamin B2): Helps convert food into energy.

Niacin (vitamin B3): Converts carbohydrates and fat to energy, promotes proper function of the central nervous system, lowers bad cholesterol.

Vitamin B12: Helps build red blood cells.

Vitamin D: Controls the absorption of calcium by the body, helps in the development of teeth and bones, and boosts immunity to disease. Apart from the sun, milk is one of the richest sources of vitamin D. Fortified milk supplies around 25% of the daily vitamin D requirement (per 8-ounce serving).

Probiotics: Yoghurt contains probiotics, which is good bacteria that fights off the bad ones, essential to good digestion.

Milk is one of the most nutrient-rich beverages in the human diet. Advancements in milk production technology have increased calcium and protein content while filtering out milk sugar – making it easier for those who are lactose-intolerant to meet their daily nutritional needs.

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Acai Berry Fruit Best at Reducing Inflammation

Tuesday, February 10th, 2009

Inflammation is probably the foremost contributing factor to premature aging and chronic diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, allergies and cancer. Reducing inflammation can significantly improve quality of life as we age.

What is inflammation?
Most of us associate inflammation with swelling caused by injury. While inflammation from insect bites and ankle sprains are highly visible to the eye, swelling that occurs inside our bodies usually go unnoticed. Chronic inflammation can be caused by stress, smoking, high-fat diet, and environmental pollution.

Fortunately, Mother Nature has given us powerful anti-inflammatory remedies that effectively provide natural inflammation relief.

Brazilian Açai Fruit
Topping the list of anti-inflammatory supplements is Brazil’s acai berry fruit and its exceptional antioxidant content. Studies have shown that the Brazilian acai fruit contains specific polyphenols that can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, arthritis, obesity, and viral diseases by protecting cells from oxidative damage.

Broccoli, Grapes, Green Tea
Quercetin is a natural antioxidant found in red grapes, broccoli and green tea. Lab tests show that quercetin can severely alter intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), an important inflammation factor.

Fish Oil
Researchers from the UK discovered that taking 3.5 grams of fish oil daily for six weeks activated anti-inflammatory and lipid modulating mechanisms that can delay the early onset of coronary heart disease. Fish oil not only improves cardiovascular health, it fights inflammation and provides arthritic relief.

Flaxseed Oil
Flaxseed oil contains Omega-3 fatty acids that help decrease C-reactive protein, a common inflammation marker. Lignans that are also present in flaxseeds can protect postmenopausal women from breast cancer.

While supplements like the acai berry fruit can help suppress inflammation in your body, the most effective cure is always prevention. Sticking to a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and maintaining a stress-free lifestyle will prevent inflammation from occurring in the first place.

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What’s Inside the Brazilian Acai Fruit

Wednesday, February 4th, 2009

The Oprah Winfrey Show caused a massive furor around the Brazilian acai fruit. Ever since Dr. Nicholas Perricone talked about the acai berry on Oprah, this 2-centimeter purple fruit has sparked interest in every health-conscious American. What exactly is inside this berry that’s being hailed as the number one superfood on the planet?

Staggering antioxidant and anthocyanin levels
The antioxidant content of the Brazilian acai fruit is 10 times than that of grapes and twice that of blueberries. Anthocyanins in acai are up to 30 times more than that of red wine. The ORAC score for 100 grams of freeze dried acai is over 50,000 – a number that no other fruit or vegetable can even come close to.

A complete range of vitamins and minerals
The acai berry is a rich source of vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and E. Potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc are also present in the acai fruit.

Healthy unsaturated fat
Almost 50% of the Brazilian acai fruit is fat - and 74% of that is Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9 fatty acid that’s good for your heart.

Strong fiber profile
For every 100 grams of freeze dried acai, your body receives around 14 grams of fiber.

Excellent source of amino acids and plant sterols

Acai contains 19 different amino acids, supplying your body with more than 8 grams of protein for every 100 grams of acai. Three plant sterols that maintain a healthy heart and digestive system can be found in the acai berry: beta-sitosterol, campesterol and sigmasterol.

The Brazilian acai fruit is 90% seed and 10% pulp. Only the pulp and skin are edible, but some unscrupulous manufacturers are adding crushed seeds to their acai products. Stay away from any acai drink, capsule or powder that has seeds in it.

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The 5 Best Antioxidant Foods

Monday, January 12th, 2009

In order to live a healthier lifestyle, one must eat a diet rich in high antioxidants.

Everywhere you go today, you hear that eating a diet rich in high-antioxidant foods is the best path to take in order to embrace a healthier lifestyle. By eating several portions of fruits and vegetables a day, your body will work at its peak, conditional level. Many people want to know which foods are the highest in antioxidants, and we’ve supplied you with a few suggestions of the five best antioxidant foods.

Berries are the king of antioxidants. Acai, blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries are all very high in antioxidants with acai berries being at the top. The richer in color the berry appears, the higher the level of antioxidants. Acai berries, as well as the others, contain Vitamins A, B, C, and E that help improve a person’s immune system.

Grapes are another good source of antioxidants. It is suggested to consume them fresh or in juice rather than in wine for obvious reasons. Look to eat a grape that is redder in color than white for they have higher nutritional levels than lighter shades of grapes.

Broccoli is among the highest-rated vegetable when it comes to nutrients and antioxidants. It is a cruciferous vegetable that has high levels of Vitamin C and calcium, even more so than oranges and milk. Many people are surprised to learn that broccoli contains many disease-fighting chemicals that have been known to lower the risk of many types of cancer. It’s best to eat broccoli raw or steamed to take full advantage of its nutritious properties.

Garlic is an odorous, multi-faceted antioxidant that people have been using to flavor their meals for years. Garlic contains selenium, iodine, calcium, zinc, Vitamins A, B, and C, and many more beneficial minerals and nutrients. It has been used throughout the centuries as an antibiotic, a catalyst for decreasing blood pressure and cholesterol, and even a preventative measure to cancer.  

Tomatoes have been labeled as the most ingenious anti-cancer food due to the lycopene that they contain. Lycopene has been known to be a more powerful disease fighter than beta carotene or Vitamin E. Tomatoes can be consumed in any form to reap the benefits of their nutritious value.

By incorporating these high-antioxidant foods into your diet, your health will soar to maximum capacity. Remember to eat fresh foods as often as possible and you will feel the benefits of making decisions that can improve your health.

 

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Highest ORAC Value Food

Thursday, January 8th, 2009

By eating high-ORAC foods, the aging process will slow in both brain and body.
 
ORAC, or oxygen radical absorbance capacity, is a way to measure antioxidant levels in certain foods. It was developed by a doctor who studied the aging effect and found that by eating plenty of high ORAC foods, the aging process appeared to slow in both the brain and body. After looking at studies done on the average person’s diet, most people eat considerably less ORAC units than the daily recommendation. This inevitably will lead to chronic illnesses and disease.

The food highest on the ORAC list is the acai berry. This amazing berry is packed full of nutrients, minerals, and essential antioxidants. Consuming the antioxidant supplement in liquid form provides you with the highest concentration of the acai and is the freshest and easiest way for the body to absorb it.

Other food products that are high on the ORAC scale are ground cinnamon, red kidney beans, pecans, blueberries, and tomatoes. These fruits, vegetables, and legumes are just a very brief list of the numerous foods that are high in antioxidants. However, the higher they’re listed on the ORAC scale, the higher level of antioxidant capacity they contain. It is also suggested that you get your daily recommendation of antioxidants from natural foods over supplements. Acai juice is a good food source since it is 100% pure in nature and very high in antioxidants.

Anyone that increases their intake of fruits and vegetables that are high in the ORAC scale will find themselves in better health and feeling great. Adding a product like acai berry juice can only intensify your body’s optimal free-radical fighting process. You will find this great acai juice a tasty little surprise that gives you a kick with the extra energy it stimulates in your body. So live a healthier lifestyle by creating a diet rich in high ORAC foods and using acai berry juice and you’ll be feeling younger before you know it.
 

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Don’t Believe the Hype About Vitamins and Antioxidants

Thursday, December 18th, 2008

Every once in a while, you’ll find a sudden buzz in the air surrounding a new substance or product that is supposed to promise you the world. When it comes to the quick fix, and especially when dealing with health issues, people tend to jump before they educate themselves and often end up spending enormous amounts of money on a product with pretty packaging, yet laden with false claims.

However, the question that still lingers in everyone’s minds is, are vitamins and antioxidants really a good solution to achieving optimal health?

Many studies have been done to try and solve the queries of the masses, and the results were not as near pleasant as some of the supplement ads tend to want you to believe. Many of the vitamin and antioxidant manufacturers suggest that a person can reduce their risk of heart disease. The truth is that there is no medical evidence, nor literature, to support these hopeful claims. There were a few cases in the study where there was a marked reduction in cardiovascular disease and other chronic illnesses, but these were from participants who ate a diet rich in foods that were high on the ORAC scale. In other words, antioxidants can be effective, but you’ll get better results from eating them fresh instead of in a capsule form.

To keep your body in tip-top shape, stick to a diet rich in foods that are high on the ORAC scale, such as the acai berry. Take multivitamins, exercise and stay active.

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Fight aging and disease with antioxidants from acai berries

Wednesday, December 17th, 2008

Free radicals are harmful molecules that arise from aerobic respiration, metabolism, and inflammation. They can also come from environmental factors such as pollution, sunlight, strenuous exercise, X-rays, smoking and alcohol.

As we age, cell parts damaged by free radicals accumulate. This is where antioxidants play an important role. Antioxidants attack free radicals and prevent premature aging and chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

There are two types of antioxidants: dietary and enzymes.

Dietary antioxidants can be found naturally in fruits and vegetables. Vitamin A, C, and E, lycopene, selenium, and flavonoids are some examples of dietary antioxidants.

Antioxidants are consumed every day and most people do not even realize it. Berries, carrots, pomegranates, garlic, and tomatoes are all great sources of antioxidants.

Acai berries are said to contain the highest antioxidant levels than any other food on the planet. These miraculous berries have properties that assist the body in improving its immune system, digestive system, and even helping those with insomnia. Many use it to aid inflammation and lower cholesterol, but it has not been approved by the FDA as a medicinal treatment for disease.

Increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet increases the amount of antioxidants in your body. The healthier you eat, the better you will look and feel. The high quantity of vitamin E in acai berries will make your skin glow, and nails and hair strong. You will feel your energy levels increase as well, and may start to notice some weight loss over time.

There are endless antioxidant health benefits from acai berries. But they can be hard to obtain because the acai fruit can only be picked in Brazil, and exporting them fresh is impossible with its high rancidity.

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