Useful properties of acai berries in the fight against obesity, possible contraindications. TOP-5 dietary supplements with fruits of Euterpa palm. Application features, recipes for slimming dishes. Real reviews.
Acai berry for weight loss is a highly effective biologically active food supplement that allows you to accelerate fat burning without harm to the body and at the same time improve health. You can take advantage of all the beneficial properties of fresh fruits only by visiting the country where they grow. This is due to the fact that they are very delicate and quickly deteriorate without additional processing. But products based on acai berries can be bought in any country in frozen form, in the form of powder or oil, as well as as part of various complex weight loss products.
Description and composition of acai berries
In the photo, acai berries for weight loss
Acai berries are edible and very healthy fruits of a tropical palm tree that grows in the territories of South and Central America, mainly in the coastal zone of the Amazon. The largest number of trees is found in Brazil. That is why this country has the largest export of this product.
The fruit itself grows in clusters on mature palms, the height of which ranges from 12 to 20 m. Each tree gives from 12 to 25 kg of harvest. The fruit has a rounded shape, its diameter is about 2-2.5 cm. Visually, it can be confused with blueberries or grapes. Acai differ in color depending on the variety - they can be black-purple or green. A large bone is contained inside. The pulp and skin are quite tender, because of this, the collection is carried out by hand, so as not to damage the fruit. Despite the fact that the palm tree bears fruit all year round, the harvest is harvested in autumn or spring.
The acai berry taste is ambiguous. Perhaps this is due to the plant variety, growing conditions, or the degree of maturity. For some, the pulp tastes like raspberries, others like chocolate, others like nuts, and still others feel the chocolate-nut-raspberry mix. In any case, the fruits are tasty and aromatic. They will perfectly complement any dietary meal - fruit or vegetable salads, smoothies and other cocktails.
In addition to excellent taste, there is also a large list of useful properties of acai berries, which is provided by a capacious composition. A detailed chemical analysis showed that this product has a fairly high content of antioxidants, thiamine, ascorbic and pantothenic acid, vitamins E, B6, PP, K and others.
The acai berry also contains macronutrients (potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur), trace elements (manganese, zinc, iron, iodine, etc.), essential and non-essential amino acids. All this allows the fruit to play an important role in maintaining human health.
Useful properties of acai berries for weight loss
There is evidence that, in addition to high nutritional value and merits in overall health improvement, the Brazilian acai berries play a significant role in the correction of body weight towards its reduction. That is why many people use this product as part of weight loss diets, and manufacturers of cosmetics and dietary supplements everywhere add it to the composition of newfangled body shaping products, for example, Keto Guru. However, this topic is currently controversial, and some experts argue that the fruits of the Euterpe palm tree do not actually help you lose weight. Is this so - to understand this issue will help the analysis of the composition of the pulp and the beneficial properties that can affect directly or indirectly on metabolism and fat burning.
In general, you can buy acai berries to normalize the digestive, nervous, and cardiovascular systems. Their individual components improve brain activity, participate in the restoration of cartilage tissue, increase the rate of cell regeneration, normalize the water-salt and acid-base balance, and also help fight insomnia, promote muscle relaxation. Some men and women even report an increase in libido with the use of the Amazonian acai berry.
However, in the composition of the pulp of the fruit there is no specific component that directly affects the burning of fat or allows you to reduce appetite by affecting the saturation center in the brain, which in fact helps very well to lose excess weight. It is worth noting that this can hardly be called a disadvantage, because strong stimulants capable of the actions described earlier have a lot of contraindications, and tropical berries act indirectly, accelerating the processes of burning fat without harm to health.
Let's take a closer look at the properties through which the benefits of acai berries for weight loss are achieved:
- Low calorie content … First of all, palm fruits are not a very high-calorie product, because 100 g of pulp contains only about 240 kcal. By adding them in small quantities to your menu, you can diversify your diet without risking your figure.
- Reduced appetite … Berries contain a fairly large amount of fiber, which is not digested and does not provide energy value. It fills the stomach, slightly prolonging the digestion of food, but at the same time improving digestion in general. It helps prevent constipation and stimulates bowel movement, which in turn is good for overall well-being. If you eat enough fiber, your appetite will decrease without compromising your health. This makes it easier to avoid snacks between meals and overeating at night.
- High nutritional value … The vitamins, minerals and amino acids contained in the acai berry normalize various metabolic processes in the body, including carbohydrate metabolism, and also lead to normal fluid and salt levels, eliminating swelling of soft tissues, thereby reducing body weight.
- Improving blood flow … By cleansing the vessels from cholesterol plaques, the blood supply to all cells is normalized and, consequently, the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the cells is improved, which also has a beneficial effect on cellular metabolism and, in the absence of increased appetite, helps to mobilize energy from the available fat reserves.
Among other things, the fruits of the Amazonian palm tree Euterpe, due to the high content of vitamins, help to avoid stress, which very often haunts people during the struggle for a slim figure.
Thus, there is an indirect effect of acai berries on excess weight and body fat, which allows you to effectively lose weight without harm to health.
Contraindications and harm of acai berries
Despite the obvious benefits for the body, the fruits of the Euterpe palm are capable of causing some harm. By using the product, even in small quantities, people with individual intolerance can suffer from it. It is not recommended to eat berries and those who are diagnosed with stomach ulcers and hepatitis, as well as have problems with appetite, are underweight.
In other cases, contraindications for acai berries are associated with their excessive use. Negative consequences: disruption of the endocrine and nervous system, heart and blood vessels, liver and kidneys, intoxication and anaphylactic shock, muscle pain, diarrhea.
In addition, when a large amount of this product is consumed, the acid-base balance is sometimes disturbed, and there is also a significant increase in the level of glucose in the blood serum, which in the long term gives the opposite effect to weight loss, i.e. provokes obesity.
How to use acai berries for weight loss
In the photo, acai berry powder for weight loss
The palm tree of the genus Euterpe does not grow in our country, and its fruits are considered exotic for us. That is why you need to start introducing them into the diet with small portions, gradually increasing their number. It is not possible to meet them fresh in our stores.
Acai berries are marketed in processed form - frozen, dried or canned, as well as in the form of juice, powder, oil, tinctures, capsules, or as part of complex products or food products. This allows them to preserve their useful properties to the maximum and facilitate storage and transportation. The features of its application also depend on the chosen form of product.
Frozen acai berries can be used to make sugar-free fruit drinks. To do this, it is enough to grind the pulp in a blender and dilute it with water. It is best taken in the morning to support normal digestion and balance your appetite throughout the day. It is not advisable to drink the drink on an empty stomach. In this form, palm fruits exhibit high biological activity. And if you use them in conjunction with sports, then the effect of weight loss will increase significantly.
In addition, frozen berries can be added to tea, various cocktails, salads and desserts, which does not require additional heat treatment. Also, the fruits of the Amazonian Euterpe well improve the taste and nutritional value of various sauces and marinades.
For whole acai berries, the price of dried or frozen is quite high, so many people choose to buy powder from the fruits of the Brazilian palm tree. It is not only convenient to store, but also easy to use. This option is widespread. It can also be added to various dishes, but it is the slimming smoothies with the addition of a healthy ingredient that are most popular. To get the desired effect in the fight against extra pounds, it is recommended to add about 10-15 g in one serving of a thick drink. You can combine it with fermented milk products, for example, kefir, yogurt, with various fruits, berries and vegetables, as well as seasonings.
The easiest way to make a cocktail based on dry raw materials is to dilute the required amount in warm water and use it in the morning.
Acai berries can be included in the diet as part of any diet. The product will not only make it possible to enjoy good taste, but will also make up for the lack of nutrients with a very meager menu. This, of course, will have a good effect on the emotional state of the losing weight and will help not to break down at the most crucial moment, bringing the "business" to the end.
Slimming Acai Berry Recipes
Using acai berries for weight loss at home is quite simple. The product is safe for dosed use, very useful and does not require culinary skills to prepare dishes with its participation. As mentioned earlier, you can combine it with almost any food, but to make your figure more slim, you should avoid excessively fatty and sugary foods, and also pay attention to the carbohydrate content in the diet.
The most popular in the framework of dietary nutrition to combat obesity are vitamin thick cocktails, which are called smoothies. There are countless options for their preparation. Typically, the liquid component is almond milk, kefir, Greek yogurt, or liquid or ice water. For thickening, frozen banana is most often taken, but any frozen vegetables, fruits and berries also make the cocktail thick.
The main requirements for the selection of ingredients: a moderate amount of carbohydrates and fats or their absence, high nutritional value for a quick replenishment of vitamins, macro- and microelements, a pleasant taste. Often, such drinks quench thirst and hunger well and allow you to refuse snacks in the form of a sandwich, bun, biscuits, which is very good for your figure.
We offer several popular recipes for slimming smoothies with acai berries:
- Acai berry vanilla smoothie … To prepare a thick vitamin cocktail for weight loss, you will need 150 g of Greek yogurt, 10 g of acai powder, 1 banana, 0.5 tsp. vanilla and 1 tsp. honey, which is the best substitute for sugar and increases the nutritional value of the drink. Before cooking, the banana must be cut into large pieces, placed in a vacuum bag and frozen in the freezer. It is this ingredient that will subsequently give the desired density. It is better to make a smoothie just before use. For cooking, place all the ingredients in a blender thicket and beat well until a homogeneous mass is formed. This usually takes about 2 minutes. Pour into a glass, garnish with a lemon wedge and serve. The combination of acai with vanilla is valuable in the drink, which also contributes to the feeling of fullness for a long time.
- Acai and cocoa smoothie … This option also deserves the attention of those who are losing weight, because also allows you to replenish the necessary vitamins, minerals, promotes rapid saturation and gives a lot of energy for several hours. It contains the following ingredients: frozen pulp of the Amazonian palm (100 g), frozen banana (1/2 pc.), Almond milk (60 ml), cocoa powder (1 tsp). Traditionally, all ingredients must be whipped until smooth in a blender and served immediately.
- Green smoothie with acai and goji … This cocktail contains about 350 kcal, but at the same time it is very effective for body shaping, because it contains highly active natural ingredients - spirulina powder (50 g), acai powder (30 g), cocoa (20 g), goji berries (50 g). In addition, you will need water (50 ml), low-fat milk (50 ml) and poppy seeds (30 g). We beat all the ingredients in a blender bowl, we get a dark green drink, which must be drunk immediately after preparation.
To make breakfast with acai, take the following ingredients: rolled oats (2 tablespoons), kefir (60 ml), apple (1 pc.), Acai powder (10 g or 2 tsp.), Honey (1 tsp..), any nuts (20 g) or fresh berries of raspberries, blueberries, blackberries (to taste). It is necessary to start cooking in the evening. Everything is very simple - pour the rolled oats flakes with kefir and leave overnight. In the morning, add acai powder, honey and grated apple to them, mix everything, put it on a plate. Then sprinkle with berries and nuts on top and serve. Fullness, energy and good mood will be provided for a long time.
To prepare berry curd mass, take low-fat cottage cheese in an amount of 200 g, which provides a lot of protein, but does not provoke fat deposition. The berry mass includes acai berry powder (40 g), strawberries (60 g), raspberries (30 g) and 4 dates. The last ingredient is considered one of the sweetest, but adding a small amount of it will not negatively affect the figure and will allow you to replenish energy reserves and feel full for a long time. In addition, you will need almond milk (100 ml) and frozen banana (1/2 pcs.) For cooking. The cooking process is very simple: all ingredients must be turned into a homogeneous mixture using a blender. When serving, garnish with grated dark chocolate, strawberry slices or coconut flakes.
