Acai pulp is the fleshy inside of Acai berries that is not taken up by the seed. The seed accounts for 80% of the total volume of the 1 inch berry. This means that there is only a small fraction of the berry that is actually accounted for as Acai berry pulp.
While the entire fruit does have its uses it is the Acai pulp that is most beneficial to humans. The pulp and skin are what contains the heavy nutrient content that is making the Acai fruit so popular. Most of the studies that have been done so far have been done on the Acai pulp because of all the parts of the Acai palm it is one of the most valuable in terms of nutrition.
Though each individual berry does not have a large amount of Acai pulp there is an abundance of berries. Each palm produces a crop bi annually and each crop consists of approximately 700-900 berries. Acai pulp is rich in fatty acids containing high amounts of oleic, linoleic, and palmitic acids. Beta-sitosterol which may help to reduce cholesterol are also present in high levels within the Acai pulp.
The pulp also contains 19 amino acids. Studies have shown that Acai pulp assists in the removal of toxins and the control of free radical activity. Free radicals have been linked to cancer and other diseases and the presence of high levels of antioxidants helps to prevent these free radicals from having an effect on the body.
Recent studies have shown that the Acai pulp’s high antioxidant content is made up of slow acting antioxidants which means that this fruit has a more sustained effect on the free radicals and a longer lasting effect. This can be significant if Acai pulp is also being added to the diet for anti aging purposes.
Other studies have shown that the Acai pulp has inhibitory effects on enzymes which cause acute and chronic inflammation within the body. It also showed stimulation to white blood cells making it an immune system stimulating food.
Since the berry is very difficult to transport on it’s own, Acai juice is the most common way to get all the benefits of Acai. I prefer the juice (it tastes so good that I would drink it even without the amazing benefits) but you can also get your daily dose in the form of Acai supplements.
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