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Phytonutrients



The acai berry provides a vast array of phytonutrients or phytochemicals that help your body fight off the many toxins it encounters every day.

Did you know that 85% of our debilitating diseases are caused by an increase in inflammation? Acai nutrition as part of a diet rich in phytonutrients is vital in protecting us from Heart Disease, Asthma, Cancer and Arthritis just to name a few.

Scientists and doctors say we can help our bodies fight off the damaging effects of toxins simply by consuming more fruit. Phytochemicals contained in fruits are important in decreasing inflammation.

Some of you may have heard about the French Paradox and the benefits of drinking red wine. But did you know that acai has 33 times more anthocyanins then red wine without the alcohol.

And for those who like to drink shots of wheatgrass: Acai is 3-4 times more powerful - and it tastes good - especially when blended with other nutritious fruits.

How about supplementing your diet with something that you actually enjoy drinking?

What Are Phytonutrients?

Phytonutrients, also called phytochemicals are organic compounds that come from plants. They are found mainly in the skin of brightly colored fruits and vegetables as well as grains and seeds and are responsible for the pigment, taste and smell.

These compounds are very beneficial to health and although not essential for life, they are essential if you want optimum health and longevity.

Phytochemicals benefit your health by:

  • Acting as antioxidants

  • Enhancing immune response

  • Improving cellular communication

  • Causing some cancer cells to die (aptosis)

  • Repairing DNA damage caused by pollution and environmental toxins

  • Combating oxidative stress or free radicals

  • Detoxifying Carcinogens

You might not know that you know about phytonutrients but more than likely, you do. Probably the most commonly known are carotenoids such as beta carotene. Beta carotene is found in red, orange and yellow fruits and vegetables. Lycopene is another phytochemical that has found much fame lately. It is the pigment that is responsible for tomato's red color.

In a conversation at my dinner table, we were talking about the nutritional value of tomatoes. My 11 year old son (who doesn't like tomatoes) said "Tomatoes have lycopene!" Shocked, I said "How do you know about Lycopene?" he said "I read it on the back of the ketchup bottle!"

So if an 11 year old knows about phytonutrients, then you probably do too!

I must add though that relying on ketchup is probably not the best way to get your lycopene or any phytochemical for that matter. The best way to assure that you get all the phytochemicals you need for optimum health is to eat a wide variety of fresh, whole fruits and vegetables from the entire color spectrum.

The acai fruit is on the far end of the color spectrum with it's dark purple, almost black color. The deeper and darker the color of a fruit, the greater the concentration of pigments and thus phytochemicals.

Acai Contains An Impressive List of Phytochemicals!

Anthocyanin
Anthocyanadin
Beta-sitosterol
Campesterol
Catechin
Chyrsoeriol
Coumeric acid
Cyanidin-3- glucoside
Cyanidin-3-glucoside coumaraterutinoside
Ellagic acid
Epi-catechin
Eriodictyol
Eriodictyol-7-glucoside
Eurpatorin
Ferulic acid
Flavanols
Flavinoids
Flavonols
Gallic acid
Isoquercitin
Kaempferol
Luteolin
Luteolin-4-glucoside
Myricetin
Polyphenols
Proanthocyanin
Protocatchuric acid
Protocatechic acid
Pterostilbene
Quercitin-3-arabinoside
Resveratrol
Sigmasterol
Vanillic acid

As you can see, by eating the acai berry or drinking acai berry juice you will get the highest concentration of phytochemicals and antioxidants available to fight off free radicals and help improve your health and vitality!



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