Acai bowl, a superfood from brazil is now popular around the world because of its never-ending benefits. This dish has multiple health benefits and tastes great. After having this sweet treat you will feel full and satisfied and of course, you feel a little more happy about treating your body well.

Acai is one of those trendy foods because of its health benefits. The puree used in acai bowl is made from acai berries grown in Amazon and naturally very high in antioxidants. Many of the recipes are variations on the ever-popular bowl, but one can add their favorite toppings too.

What Are Acai Berries?

The acai berry is a reddish-purple fruit that looks like a grape. It comes from the acai palm tree which is native to South America. Studies have shown that acai fruit pulp is even richer in antioxidants as compared to cranberries, raspberries, blackberries or blueberries.

The seed takes up about eighty percent of the berry, but the flesh and skin pack plenty of vitamins and other nutrients in the remaining 20%. It is important to note that the berries are only about 70 calories a cup.

Origin of Acai Bowls

Do you have any Brazilian friends? If yes then certainly you must be knowing the origin of Acai bowl. The history of this acai bowl traces back to a time before memory. Throughout the Amazonian basin, the acai palm thrives. The edible palm heart and berry are a vital source of food for most people in the region. Unlike the contemporary incarnation of sweetened acai bowls, the acai berry pulp was (and still is) eaten as a basic, unsweetened and alongside manioc, and perhaps with a major course like fish. Here is the original acai bowl.

If you notice there is a deep history between acai berry and the Amazon. But have you ever thought how did this acai make its way out of the Amazon? In the early 1970s, acai pulp began to travel from Amazon to the northern Brazilian cities. In the ’80s, it was legendary Brazilian Jujitsu, founder Carlos Gracie who popularized the acai bowl in southern cities of Brazil. As time passed Brazilian surfers and fitness enthusiasts began partook in acai bowl trend. After that Hawaii and Southern California became the first places where the acai bowls found a home.

Is It Healthy?

Although the acai berry has been heralded for an array of health benefits, its strongest asset is its taste. Rather than explaining let us just look at its health benefits:

Rich in Antioxidants

As we have already seen acai berries are high in antioxidants that help to clean free radicals to prevent damage to your cells. Test tube studies show that acai berries are especially high in plant compounds called anthocyanins, including cyanidin 3-rutinoside. In one study, consuming acai pulp and applesauce increased levels of antioxidants in the blood in 12 healthy adults within 24 hours. Also, studies suggest that acai berries could be linked to lower cholesterol levels and better brain function

“You should look at açaí bowls as more of an occasional treat, not a thing you would have as a meal,” says Ilana Muhlstein, R.D., a registered dietitian at Beverly Hills, CA, who heads up the Bruin Health Improvement Program at UCLA.

May Lower Cholesterol

Animal studies have indicated that acai could help enhance cholesterol levels by decreasing total and LDL cholesterol and it might have a similar impact on people.

A 2011 research had 10 obese adults consume acai smoothies twice daily for one month. Overall, they had reduced total and “bad” LDL cholesterol at the end of the analysis.

As more study is required, it’s possible that the anthocyanins in acai could be responsible for their favorable impact on cholesterol levels, since studies have linked this plant chemical to improvements in HDL and LDL cholesterol.

Can Boost Brain Function

The many plant compounds in acai could also protect your brain from damage as you grow old. Several studies have shown this type of protective effect in lab rats. The antioxidants in acai counteract the harmful effects of inflammation and oxidation in brain cells, which can negatively affect learning and memory. In one study, acai also helped improve memory in aging rats.

One of how the mind stays healthy is by simply cleaning up cells that are toxic or no longer functioning, a procedure known as autophagy. This makes way for new nerves to shape, improving communication between brain cells. As you get older, this process works less efficiently. Nonetheless, in lab tests, acai extract has helped stimulate this”housekeeping” reaction in brain tissues.

Heart wellbeing

Anthocyanin ingestion has been closely linked to oxidative stress protection. A study has found that regular consumption of anthocyanins may decrease the threat of heart attack by 32 percent in young and middle-aged ladies. Several longitudinal studies have reported a significantly lower cardiovascular disease risk and all-cause mortality using high usage of fiber. Fiber intake also reduces LDL cholesterol.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative and Health (NCCIH) note that consuming polyunsaturated berries may help reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels in people with excess fat.

So treat yourself with a delicious and healthy acai bowl near Miami beach at Nobe Yoga studio. We help you harmonize your body, mind and inner self.