The acai berry is the most recent super fruit to hit the market and the acai nutritional statistic tell you why. Whether you saw it on television talk shows or in the supplements aisle, you have no doubt heard it touted as the greatest food to have come along in quite some time. People have begun exploring the acai berry as a treatment for countless ailments and illnesses. And when you look at the acai nutrition facts, it is easy to see why they think this little berry could be so

The Powerful Antioxidant

It's almost a guarantee that you've heard the term antioxidant before. You have probably also heard them associated with their arch nemesis, the free radical. But first, you have to understand what these terms actually mean. Free radicals, a naturally occurring atom, are different from normal atoms because they lack an electron from their pair. They make up for this by stealing electrons from other atoms, creating more free radicals. In abundance, they are believed to be a driving force behind many problems from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's to cancer and heart disease. Antioxidants combat and slow the effects of free radicals by giving the electron they desire without allowing them to steal it from healthy atoms.

What makes acai berry really stand out is its antioxidant content which measures far above all other fruits. The ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) is a system which scores a type of food on its antioxidant level -- the higher the number, the greater the antioxidant content. For instance, the avocado only measures 19 on the ORAC and yet is known to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. With a 94 ORAC score, Cranberries have long been called super fruit. Acai berry on the other hand, scores an amazing 610 ORAC count. Now let's see other fruits even come close to that.

More Acai Nutritional Info

The acai is not touted as a super food for nothing. True, its antioxidant content is just unbelievable but it doesn't stop there. Acai contains a component called anthocyanins, the same substance found in red wine, which is effective in fighting coronary heart disease. A decent amount of unsaturated fats can also be found in acai berry. These unsaturated or "good" fats, produce essential fatty acids like Omega-6 which are needed in the body. Acai berry is also a good source of fiber, which is an energy booster.

Does That All Make the Acai Berry a Super Fruit Worth Studying?

If being a super fruit means having an incredible level of antioxidants as compared to other foods, and an abundance of fiber, anthocyanins, and essential fatty acids, then yes, acai berry is nothing less than a super fruit. Fresh acai may never be available to you unless you visit the specific areas in Brazil where acai is grown but it doesn't mean that you'll miss out on all the nutrients that acai berry can offer. By getting high-quality acai supplements, you can also take advantage of the acai nutritional benefits.