Supplementing the diet of healthy women with Acai Berry has been show to have the potential to boost the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and reduce the production of reactive oxygen species according to Brazilian researchers.
Data published in ‘Nutrition’ showed that the addition of 200g per day of Acai pulp to the habitual diet increased the activity of catalase enzymes, which is one of the main enzymes involved in the cellular antioxidative system, by over 4,000%.
The total antioxidant capacity of the women’s blood also increased by 104%, reported the researchers from the Federal University of Ouro Preto.
Results indicate that dietary Acai intake regulates the antioxidant status of healthy women.
The antioxidant effects of Acai is thought to come from the neutralization of free radicals, which prevents their attack on other molecules, and from the modulation of enzymes involved in oxidative stress.
Benefits of Acai Berry Supplements
Acai berries have formed part of the staple diet of Indian tribes for centuries. With the appearance of a purple grape and taste of a tropical berry, it has been shown to have powerful antioxidant properties thanks to it’s extremely high level of anthocyanins.
Acai pulp has been demonstrated to affect cell signalling, enzyme activity, maintenance of the oxidant and antioxidant balance, receptor sensitivity, gene regulation, and reduction in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, whilst restoring and maintaining functional cellular antioxidant status.
Details of the Study
Researchers recruited 35 healthy women and assigned all of them to 200g/day of Acai pulp for four weeks.
Blood samples collected at the start and end of the intervention period indicated significant increases in catalase activity and total antioxidant capacity, but no significant changes in superoxide dismutase (SOD) or glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities.
The researchers noted reductions in the concentration of protein carbonyl, a marker of protein oxidative damage, and an increase in the concentration of sulfhydryl groups, which are an marker of antioxidant capacity.
The results show the antioxidant benefit of Acai Berry for healthy women, and may increase the understanding of the health-promoting properties of this fruit,
References:
Source: ‘Nutrition’ Published online ahead of print
Acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) pulp dietary intake improves cellular antioxidant enzymes and biomarkers of serum in healthy women
Authors: P. Oliveira Barbosa, et al.