The acai berry, a food first consumed by the Amazonian indians, has powerful antioxidant properties. Acai berries are the fruit at the top of the ORAC scale. The acai berry is purple and small and comes from a palm tree known by the Brazilians as "the tree of life." The medicinal substances of the acai berry include polyphenols, flavonoids, primarily anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins.
Freeze-dried acai extract is most effective against superoxide, hydroxyl, and peroxyl radicals. (LEF, June 2010). Acai berry is effective against the most destructive reactive oxygen species (ROS), including peroxynitrites that cause lipid peroxidation and also against the hydroxyl radical, and the destructive superoxide and peroxyl radicals. Acai inhibits COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, making it effective against pain and inflammation. Acai also inhibits the spread of colon cancer and leukemia.
