Acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) is a small, dark purple stone fruit, reminiscent of blueberry. It grows on palm trees growing in the Amazon rainforests. Due to the unique nutritional value and the richness of biologically active ingredients, it is included in the group of products referred to as "superfood". In supplementation, the extract from powdered acai fruits is usually used. Most often they are previously subjected to a freeze-drying process, thanks to which they retain all nutritional values and pro-health properties.
Acai berries provide a lot of bioactive ingredients. They contain a lot of protein with an excellent amino acid profile, plenty of dietary fiber, vitamins (A, C, E, B vitamins) and minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, chromium, manganese, selenium, potassium, molybdenum). They also contain lipids, plant sterols (β-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol) and a powerful dose of antioxidants (flavonoids, anthocyanins, phenolic acids).
Preparations containing acai fruits are recommended as part of general health prophylaxis. They are recommended especially for people who do not care about proper nutrition, are exposed to chronic stress, or often get sick. They will also prove to be a valuable element of the prophylaxis of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.