Description of acai berries. Chemical composition and energy value. Beneficial features. Risks of abuse and recommendations for use in food. Recipes for simple and tasty dishes.
The benefits of acai berries
Acai fruits have a positive effect on the general condition of the skin. Vitamin C strengthens the immune system. When consumed in moderation and in a balanced manner, the berries will fit perfectly into any diet.
The beneficial properties of acai are:
- Brain activation … Due to the accelerated blood circulation, memory improves, concentration of attention and efficiency increase.
- Strengthening the cardiovascular system … Oleic and linoleic acids prevent blood vessels from clogging, antioxidants lower cholesterol levels, and have a protective effect on the heart.
- Normalization of the work of the organs of vision … Vitamin C and anthocyanin contained in acai prevent the development of glaucoma, night blindness, and slow down the process of loss of vision.
- Better sleep … The amino acids and vitamins in acai pulp affect the process associated with the production of serotonin and dopamine. And, as you know, they are responsible for good sleep. Promotes relaxation of body muscles after a long day of work or intense training.
- Cosmetic properties … Protection against the appearance of wrinkles and pigmentation, berry extract relieves the skin from breakouts, and the produced collagen makes it elastic and smooth.
- Stabilizing hormone levels … Acceleration of the metabolic process in the human body does not allow the accumulation of fatty deposits.
- Protection during pregnancy … Regular dosed consumption of berries has a positive effect on the health of the expectant mother, and antioxidants protect the embryo from mutation.
- Digestion normalization … Berries have a positive effect on the work of the digestive tract, remove toxins from the body and other substances that act as decay products.
- Lower cholesterol levels … Thanks to the effects of steroids and fatty acids, the activity of the heart and blood vessels is improved. This prevents the development of coronary artery disease and normalizes blood pressure.
- Energy supply … Berries act on the human body better than coffee and chocolate, stimulating the brain, helping to get rid of stress and depression, reducing the level of fatigue, and have a positive effect on the psyche.
- Recovery of the body … The affected areas of the epithelium are disinfected, the regeneration process after the operations and serious diseases is accelerated, the analgesic effect is manifested.
- Anti-inflammatory action … When using acai, immunity is strengthened, and bacterial infections are cured.
Contraindications to acai berries
Acai berries should be introduced into your diet gradually and only in limited quantities. Overeating leads to serious disturbances in the body and causes discomfort.
Consequences of overusing berries:
- Allergic reactions … Without taking into account individual intolerance, you should not add berries to your daily menu, this causes a rash, redness, decreased appetite, nausea, dizziness, and fever.
- Anaphylactic shock … Weakness, a rash on the skin and mucous membranes in the form of blisters, anxiety, discomfort, facial muscle cramps, blurred vision.
- Intoxication … High body temperature, muscle soreness, diarrhea and vomiting, loss of consciousness, insomnia, changes in body weight, bowel problems.
- Muscle pain … Disruption and slowdown of metabolic processes in inert tissues and cartilage, inflammation of muscle fibers.
- Hormonal disbalance … Abrupt changes in body weight, sleep disturbance, increased fatigue, intense hair loss, irritability.
Absolute contraindications for acai berries:
- Stomach ulcer … The combination of vitamins and trace elements contained in acai berries can have a negative effect on the mucous membranes of the stomach and duodenum 12.
- Individual intolerance … Some components in the pulp of berries can cause allergic reactions of a different nature.
- Hepatitis … Stretching of the lining of the liver, aches throughout the body, slowing down the process of processing bilirubin in the liver.
Before consuming acai berries, you should seek the advice of a specialist to determine if the product will harm your body.
Acai berry recipes
Fresh berries make a great snack. They also make a huge variety of dishes. The fruits will be an excellent filling for baking, an indispensable ingredient for unusual sauces, as well as an addition to cocktails.
Acai berry recipes
- Summer jam … Rinse the acai berries, currants and plums thoroughly, remove the seeds and mix with sugar in a large bowl, leaving in a cold place overnight. The next morning, carefully stir the berries with sugar and set aside again for 1 hour. After the time has passed, add 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice to them and stir. Grind the berries through a sieve into a large bowl and add 500 ml of purified water. Begin to simmer the berry mixture until all the sugar is completely dissolved. Then bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and pour a small amount of jam into a saucer for testing. If the chilled jam is not too runny, it is ready. Otherwise, it is worth continuing to boil it, it may take another 5-10 minutes. Repeat the jam test in the saucer and set aside from heat to cool. Fill pre-sterilized jars with cooled jam. In a cool dark place, it can be stored for 6 months to a year.
- Berry cakes for tea … Preheat oven to 180 ° C. Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl, then add 250 grams of butter and stir until the mixture is crumbled. Add 3 tablespoons of sugar, a handful of acai berries, and a glass of orange juice. Stir gradually until everything is well combined. If the dough is not elastic enough, add another 1-2 tablespoons of orange juice. When ready, put it on a baking sheet, pre-greased with butter. Bake in a preheated oven for 30-45 minutes until a light brown crust appears. After baking, remove the crust from the oven and let it cool without removing it from the aluminum baking dish. For the best taste, cook these berry cakes in the evening to serve with breakfast.
- Meringue tartlet … Preheat oven to 190 ° C. Place a handful of acai berries and red currants in a saucepan with sugar and water. Grind the berries lightly with sugar and cook for 5 minutes. Roll out a thin layer of dough to cover the tartlet molds. Use molds that are 9 cm wide and 2.5 cm deep. Spread the dough over the surface and pierce the sides and bottom with a fork several times before placing it in the oven. Bake for 10 minutes until light golden brown. Remove the batter from the oven and set aside to cool. Reduce oven temperature to 160 ° C. In the meantime, take a meringue. Whisk the egg whites in a bowl until they form a thick foam, then gradually add the powdered sugar to them to make the meringue. Fill the cooled cakes with the berry mixture, evenly distributing the filling. Spoon the meringue on top of the tartlet, twisting it so that it completely covers the fruit. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the meringue is golden brown. Serve warm or cold.
- South American pudding … Place blueberries, cherries, acai berries and sugar in a saucepan with 3 tablespoons of water. Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar melts and the fruit thickens. Add the currants and cover gently, simmering for another 2 minutes, until the fruit is completely softened. Remove from heat and let cool. Pour the fruit into a colander over the bowl. Leave for 5 minutes to allow the juice to accumulate in the container. Trim off the crusts of the bread slices, leaving only the bread pulp. Put slices of bread on the bottom of the mold and pour a small layer of berry syrup on top of them. Repeat these steps so that several layers are formed in the mold, well-saturated with berry syrup. Fill the finished layers with the remaining syrup and add 250 ml of orange juice. Sprinkle the pieces of fruit left over in the colander on top. Cover the semi-finished pudding dish with cling film and set aside overnight with a plate on top. Remove the foil from the baking dish before serving, then quickly flip the pudding onto a plate.
- Mint sorbet … Prepare the syrup by stirring 5-6 tablespoons of sugar in boiling water until completely dissolved, then add a couple of sprigs of mint and continue cooking. Rinse the acai berries thoroughly and peel them. Add the peeled pulp to the syrup and cook until softened. This may take about 10 minutes. Strain the resulting mixture into a container through a sieve to get rid of the peel. Add 2 tablespoons lemon juice and refrigerate to room temperature. After that, pour the sorbet blank into a container and send it to the freezer for 2-3 hours. Serve the finished sorbet with mint leaves and fresh berries.
Interesting facts about acai berries
The Caboclo Indians eat not only the fruits of the palm tree, but also the heart of the tree.
In Brazil, locals call acai berries for their properties "the fountain of eternal youth" and "Amazonian Viagra".
From strong branches and leaves of a palm tree, fishermen construct special nets and traps for catching fish and animals.
Based on the pulp and juice of acai berries, scientists have created dietary supplements for weight loss, but they should be used with extreme caution.
The oil, made from seeds and juice, is used in Mexico to prevent malaria. This substance is also used in cosmetology.
Watch the video about acai berries:
Acai berries are considered unique for a reason. Their pulp is rich in vitamins and minerals. When used and eaten correctly, the acai fruit will not do any harm to your body.
