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Acai, And Other Antioxidant Rich Fruits, May Combat Illness And Disease In The BodyAcai berries have been gaining a reputation over the last few years due to the high antioxidant levels and the phytonutrients it contains. By consuming this berry, and other high nutrient rich super fruits, you may be able to combat things like fatigue, illness, and disease; including heart issues, cancer, and other degenerative health issues. This crown jewel of the Amazon is also known to support an individual's energy during physical activity, and potentially reducing the muscle pain with its anti-inflammatory properties. While having high levels of antioxidants, one of the lesser known benefits associated with the Acai berry are called anthocyanins. An Antioxidant Rich Food While many people are singing the praises of this fruit, many are puzzled as to what exactly makes this berry such an important part in the diets of people throughout the Amazon region. With a variety of health promoting properties, the primary praise of the fruit of the Acai Palm is its high level of antioxidants – molecules that slow down or prevent the process of oxidation of other molecules. What Is Oxidative Stress and How Does It Occur? Due to impacts on our bodies from stress, poor diets and environmental toxicity, molecules in our body are attacked, breaking them apart, causing molecules that are missing an electron. The molecules then begin attacking other molecules in our body, starting a chain reaction in our system; which is referred to ask oxidative stress. This oxidative stress can lead to arthritis, pre-mature aging, artery hardening and susceptibility to cancer. To better understand oxidation, think about how a peice of metal rusts or how an apple turns brown once you cut it. Oxidation is the chemical reaction associated with the transfer of electrons from one substance to an oxidizing agent. These examples illustrate what happens when this particular chemical reaction takes place, which also occurs within the body when substances break down. The cells in your body, like an engine, are giving off fumes, and these fumes are free radicals that must be controlled. So What Are Antioxidants? While normal amounts of free radicals help break down toxins and combat disease, an overabundance leads to an imbalance in the body that causes stress. It is the duty of antioxidants to eliminate (anti-oxidation) the harmful chain reactions within the body caused by too many free radicals. Antioxidants are compounds that we put into our system that have an extra electron they release to neutralize these free radical molecules, and stop them from attacking other healthly cells in our bodies. The Benefits of Antioxidants A diet that contains foods high in antioxidants helps balance out the body and fights the damage that causes medical problems, such as diabetes, cancer, and other degenerative conditions. It has been proven that people who consume a decent amount of antioxidants face a lower risk of heart disease and some diseases of the neurological system. Some studies have shown promise in preventing macular degeneration (thinning of the eye) and aiding a weakened immune system. These conditions are the result of uncontrolled free radicals given off by our cells burning calories (the fuel of the body). Antioxidants are vital elements required to fight these free radical cells, and also have been seen as a way to regenerate the body after a session of heavy physical activity, such as exercising. The increase in oxygen consumption is known to heighten the production of oxidants, which leads to damaged cells. This often translates into muscular fatigue that occurs during and after physical activity. Consuming high levels of antioxidants helps the body repair and recuperate at a faster rate, promoting enriched responses of the body, muscles, and tissues in regards to future exercise. Additionally, a lower incidence of disease and injury often takes place. Many of these antioxidant rich fruits also contain anti-inflammatory properties which aids in post exercise recuperation. Antioxidant-rich foods usually contain vitamins, such as E, C, and carotene. Minerals, such as copper, zinc, selenium, and manganese are also included. The level of antioxidants in fruits with bright colors, such as orange, red, blue, and purple tend to register higher; similarly they tend to have high phytonutrient content as well. How Do You Measure Antioxidant Levels? To measure the level of antioxidants contained in these fruits, one must take a look at the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) number of the fruit. This assessment measures the capacity of a substance to suppress oxygen free radicals. Acai, if processed correctly, has one of the highest ORAC ratings of all fruits. The Wild Blueberry, formally considered one of the healthiest berries in the world, carries a much lower ORAC rating than the Acai, but is considerably higher than many other fruits. Eating fruits that are high in their ORAC ratings is beneficial to living a more healthy life. Why are Antioxidants so Important To understand the role that antioxidants play, you have to understand what free radicals are. Free radicals are molecules that reportedly damage our cellular membranes and even our DNA. Free radicals come from various pesticides, preservatives, and pollutants in the very air that we breathe. If our bodies lack the fuel to fight off these free radicals, then we run the risk of our cells mutating and forming cancerous growths. Antioxidants are created by the body from various substances and are what the body uses to fight off these free radicals and strengthen cells. Antioxidants allow the body to neutralize many of these free radicals reducing the risk of many diseases, including heart disease. The body converts many vitamins and minerals into antioxidants, of these most are contained in the Acai berry. What Are Some Other Antioxidant Rich Fruits
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