If the thought of magenta purees forbreakfastsounds " special , " think again . Acai bowl — smoothies made with squeeze acai berries — have clear a place on menu around the domain , and for good reason . The acai berry ( it ’s pronounced ah - sah - ee ) is filled with nutrients that may facilitate keep ailments like arthritis , in high spirits cholesterol and even erectile dysfunction . In fact , the grape - sized Chuck Berry is so nutritious it ’s earned the in demand title of superfood .
Of course , acai is not raw to the U.S. culinary picture . This Chuck Berry , harvested from acai palm trees near the Amazon River Basin in Brazil , haslong been a stapleamong theribeirinhos , a traditional South American universe . It heighten to renown in Rio de Janeiro when martial creative person added the purple puree to athletes ' diet . Then two Californians discovered the energy - boosting berry ; they spell it , raised sentience about the wellness benefits , and , eventually , the berry catch on stateside .
Today , you’re able to find acai bowls , pulverization , potable and other berry merchandise in smoothy shops and grocery memory board across the U.S. Here ’s why you should try — or keep eating — the delicious acai Chuck Berry .
They’re Packed With Important Nutrients
Acai ’s placement in the superfood category makes horse sense ; the berries are filled nutrient that have been touted to assist arthritis , help in weightiness passing , increase vigour , prevent aging and help high cholesterol , among other ailments . Of naturally , many of these exalted claim have yet to be scientifically proven , according to the Mayo Clinic , but acai berries do have essential nutrient that experts bank by .
Dietician Allison Tepper of Tepper Nutrition says acai part similar benefits with other berries ; they ’re high in fiber , which keep you full longer ; they ’re low - calorie , at about 70 Calorie per cupful of stark naked berry ; they ’re wedge - full of vitamin and mineral ; and they ’re jammed withantioxidants , which is one major reasonableness they bring in the superfood recording label .
They Taste, Well, Unique
Acai may look like grapevine or juicy blueberry bush , but this berry has its own unique and fat flavor . If you consume it naked in berry form , expect an earthy , sulphurous taste that ’s a mix between deep blackberry bush and dark chocolate . The gustation sensation happen in two steps : At first pungency , it ’s full - on blackberry flavor , then after a few seconds chew , suggest ofdark chocolateemerge . This is probable because of the polyphenols found in acai Chuck Berry are also in cocoa beans .
sensitive acai berries do have their challenges , though . The fruit is between 60 to 80 percent nether region . Plus , they ’re fragile , which score them rugged to import . That ’s why most acai enthusiast consumption pulverization , tablets , juice or smoothies to glean the berry ’s rewards .
Those acai juices and sweet talker taste fresh , too . Like most smoothies , acai bowls pick up on the acai berry ’s original flavor , then complement it with yogurt or milk , other berries , fresh fruit , granola , nuts , earthnut butter , and , of row , sugar . That ’s the kicker , and potentially negative health aspect of this fruit in smoothie form .
accord to dieting - tracking appMy Fitness Pal , a 28 - ounce ( 793 - gram ) acai - puree sports stadium from health food chain Vitality Bowls has 64 grams of loot ; that ’s more than a massive Cinnabon classical peal , which has58 grams . Of course , that ’s not to say you ca n’t ascertain healthier option . It ’s one of the reasons dieticians like Tepper get their acai - bowlful kettle of fish at dwelling .
Harvesting Acai Is Sustainable
victuals trends may help you strain new thing and eat healthier , but they can also wreak mayhem on the environs . Take almonds . These trendy freak require tidy amount of water , and 80 pct of the world ’s almond supplying is grown in drouth - prone California . That means over - production of Prunus dulcis can use up sparse water resources , soGlobal Citizenrecommends treating almond and almond Milk River like a splurge — not a raw material .
Acai Chuck Berry , on the other hired man , get a sustainability thumbs - up . Farmers typically use the integral acai tree for everything from structure to woven baskets . Plus , only 7 pct of acai palms are actually planted , according to Global Citizen . Most grow naturally across the Amazon .
