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Disclaimer: The information contained within www.magicberry.com.au should not be used or altered to portray anything that is not fact. The Acai berry
should not be used in anyway as a possible substitution for any medical
therapy without your doctor's advice. For some specific health problems
you will need to consult with your doctor about consumption and usage.
This site meets the SafeSurf compliance.
While the nutritional contents of the Acai berry have been
debated for a decade’s dating back to the 1930’s and 1940’s. Throughout this
time right through to 2000 when a study was summarized and published in a book
“Acai: Preparo, Composição e Melhoramento de Conservação” by Rogez there was no
firm answer to what the nutritional contents of the Acai berry had.
In a recent study using modern procedures and a standardized
way of freeze-dried Acai fruit pulp and skin powder an interesting but firm
answer was given about these nutritional contents of the Acai berry. It was
found that from 100 grams of powder to equal 533.9 calories, 52.2 grams of
carbohydrates, 8.1 grams of protein and 32.5 grams total fat. The portion of
carbohydrate included 44.2 grams of fiber. This meant it had nearly one third
of its total mass was dietary fibre. This put the Acai berry as an exceptional source for
a vital and valuable micronutrient. A 100 gram serving of the powder would
provide all the dietary fibre requirements that higher than recommended to be
consumed by adults. The recommended daily dosage is at least 20-30 grams.
Acai berry is known particularly for its fatty acids making it
feel oily when touched. It contains high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids
and oleic acid. The total of these fats is 56.2%. It is also rich in palmitic
acid which is a saturated fat totalling 24.1% and the polyunsaturated omega 6
fatty acid known as lionleic acid totalling 12.5%. A β-sitosterol which is a phytosterol
that competes with dietary cholesterol for absorption was also found, this can also
reduce blood cholesterol levels. The result being that the amounts found were unusually
rich giving a total of 78-91% of sterols.
A further study found Vitamin C content in the Acai berry
was negligible. The calcium levels found reached 260 milligrams; iron content
was 4.4 milligrams and vitamin A equal to 1002 IU per 100 grams of dry weight.
Research also found 19 amino acids in pulp and skin powder. The same research
found especially high contents of aspartic acid and glutamic acid. The amino
acids content totalled 7.59% of the total dry weight of the Acai berry.
The
amount of waste that accumulates during the harvesting the palms is sawdust
from left over tree trunks was rather large. The sawdust is not just any
ordinary sawdust as it has been found to be a possible fuel and a good source
for energy generation and utilization. The inner layers within the palm are
rich in minerals. So much so that it is significantly higher in all minerals
that were tested like sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron compared
to the outer layers of the palm. These layers could be used as a source for
minerals. Ash content often used in plant fertilizers was also higher in the
inner layers. Levels of lignins, cellulose, holocellulose and gross heat
product were slightly higher in the outer layers but the end result being that
cellulose levels were relatively high overall.
