Acai Juice - Its Role As A Functional Food Articles | Acai Berry

By: John Jarmola

Consumers increasing health consciousness has meant that there is now a role for "functional food", that is food claimed to be natural, and having a health promoting and or disease preventing property beyond the basic nutritional function of the nutrients present within it.

Acai Juice appears to fit the role of "Functional Fruit" because it shows :

- Special analytical and nutritional characteristics.

- Potentially offers additional health benefits.

- Contains natural functional nutrients.

Not even 10 years ago, Acai Juice was only known to the indigenous people living in the flood areas of the lower Amazon basin. In the late 1990's, Acai emerged on the beaches of the Brazilian cities as a flavour in the form of ice cream, sherbets and fruit cocktails and from there it started to conquer the American continent. Today Acai Juice is very popular in the menu of life-style orientated and pleasure-loving Brazilians.

Acai Juice can be used in multifarious ways including :

- Juice drinks.

- Puree/juice concentrate in icecream.

- Snack and energy bars.

The growing interest for Acai Juice is understandable, especially in view of its fascinating composition of nutrients and its potential health benefits.

It is probably one of the richest nutrient fruits in the world as a result of containing the following :

- 12mg Calcium, 11.8mg Iron, 58mg Phosphorous per 100g fruit pulp.

- 7 x more Carbohydrates than milk.

- High level of fibre.

- High level of unsaturated fatty acids; 12% omega 6 (linoleic acid) and 60% omega 9 (oleic acid). 

 400mg/100g of Anthocyanins, these are a group phytochemicals which have potent antioxidant properties