The Benefits of Acai Berry You Need To Know

Superfoods seem to come and go, but if there's one power ingredient that has displayed some serious staying power, it's the humble acai berry. It's easy to dismiss healthy foods as not being particularly tasty (and vice versa!) but these cocoa-berry tasting gems are as delicious as they are beneficial for the skin and the body.

What Is Acai?

Acai berries are small, purple-red berries that grow on acai palm trees which are native to South America. What makes them so different to other berries is how little sugar they contain, which is highly unusual for any fruit! Acai berries are packed with vitamin C and antioxidants, making Acai the perfect ingredient to blend into a smoothie for an immunity boost or to look for in skincare to fight free radical damage.

Acai Berry Benefits

Acai berries have been cited as a wonderful ingredient for those hoping to lose weight, as they contain protein to keep you full and satisfied for a long time. They also have a fibre content of 30%, making them great for improving and maintaining healthy digestion and weight. What makes Acai so "super" is the amount of nutrients they're packed with including Vitamins A, B1, B2, E and P, minerals including potassium, iron, phosphorus and calcium, a whopping 19 different amino acids to promote energy levels and muscle performance, AND they contain twice as much Vitamin C as blueberries!

Acai is great for boosting immunity and overall health thanks to the anthocyanin compounds (a plant antioxidant) that they contain, such as Resveratrol and Ferulic Acid, which help defend the body against damaging free radicals. Anthocyanin has also been associated with the ability to lower cholesterol levels. In fact, acai berries contain 10 to 30 times more anthocyanin power than red wine! They are also rich in plant sterols that provide 'cardio-protective benefits' by improving blood circulation.

Acai isn't just great for improving the function and performance of the body- it's also packed with benefits for the skin. They are naturally high in essential fatty acids like Omega 6 and 9 and have a fatty acid profile similar to olive oil which helps to maintain glowing skin (and a healthy heart). When eaten or applied topically in skin care products, acai can help reduce the signs of ageing with their extremely high levels of antioxidants to fight free radical damage. In fact, it is one of the highest plant sources of antioxidants, with one berry holding ten times the amount of antioxidants as grapes.

Health Foods and Supplements With Acai Berry

Acai has so many amazing benefits for the body, AND it's incredibly easy to work into your regular diet and routine! Here are a few of my favourite products packed with acai berry.

Power Super Foods Acai Powder

Power Super Foods Acai Powder is a certified organic and natural powder that I love to blend into smoothies and juices- or with frozen bananas to make an acai bowl! Power Super Foods snap freeze their acai berries at the source in Brazil then mill them into a powder to make the berries super easy to work into your diet.

Bake Mixes Cacao & Acai Muffin Mix

Who'd have thought delicious muffins could be healthy?! Bake Mixes Cacao & Acai Muffin Mix makes it SO easy to work the health benefits of acai into a delicious chocolate and berry filled snack. This bake mix is gluten free, vegan friendly and certified organic, so almost everyone can enjoy their delicious taste and reap the benefits of acai.

The Beauty Chef BODY Powder

The Beauty Chef BODY Powder makes it easy to pack all of your favourite superfoods into one meal by combining the benefits of acai with fat-burning powers of Matcha green tea, the muscle repairing abilities of organic brown rice and chia, AND the sugar-craving-curbing wonders of ginger, turmeric and cinnamon.

Skincare With Acai Berry

Acai is rich in antioxidants so in skincare it works to fight free radical damage and is a powerful anti-inflammatory, so I like to look for it when I'm choosing new anti-ageing serums and eye creams. Here are a few of my favourites.

Andalou Naturals Fruit Stem Cell Revitalise Serum

This Andalou Naturals Fruit Stem Cell Revitalise Serum is perfect for dry or mature skin types as it combines Acai with the powers of Goji Berry to hydrate the skin and give it a serious dose of antioxidants.

Earths Purities Regenerate Eye Cream Elixir

Protecting against premature ageing, reducing lines and puffiness, the Earths Purities Regenerate Eye Cream Elixir uses cold pressed Acai Oil, Green Coffee Bean and Carrot Seed Oil to stimulate cell repair and boost circulation around the delicate eye area.

La Mav Bio VA5 Wrinkle Smoothing Day Creme

When my skin is in need of intense hydration, I reach for the La Mav Bio VA5 Wrinkle Smoothing Daily Moisturiser. This light day cream uses Acai Oil as well as other Vitamin A packed ingredients including Sweet Almond Oil and Sea Buckthorn Oil to keep the skin feeling moisturised and looking plump (essential for filling out those fine lines!)