"...[açaí] puree provides more anthocyanins than red wine and has antioxidant concentrations that well outweigh blueberries."

-Health Sciences Institute

ANTHOCYANINS  

Anthocyanins are water-soluble pigments that produce blue, violet and red colors in flowers, fruits, leaves and other plant parts.  They are highly valued for their antioxidant properties.  Pigmented fruits are known to carry the highest amounts of anthocyanins, and Dr. Nicholas Perricone, one of the foremost anti-aging specialists, has pointed out that he has not seen a higher concentration of anthocyanins than that found in açaí.

Studies have shown anthocyanins' positive influence on a variety of health conditions, including:

§      Protecting against cancer by inhibiting inflammation, cancerous changes to cells and tumor growth.  Specifically, anthocyanins neutralize enzymes that destroy connective tissue, prevent oxidants from damaging connective tissue, and repair damaged proteins in blood-vessel walls.  Under laboratory conditions, anthocyanins have been found to inhibit the growth of some human tumor cells.

§      Supporting the nervous system, memory and brain by preventing tyrosine nitration (a neural growth and repair inhibitor).  In fact, Cyanidin-3-glucoside, an anthocyanin contained in açaí, has been found to help in the reversal of age related neurological shortcomings.

§      Fighting atherosclerosis by preventing a key step in atherogenesis, the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL).  Anthocyanins also protect the integrity of the endothelial cells that line blood-vessel walls, and help maintain micro-capillary integrity by stabilizing capillary walls.  Thus, the antioxidant properties help prevent white blood cell adhesion to microcapillary walls, which can increase capillary wall permeability, reduce blood flow and often cause permanent capillary damage.

§      Helping to minimize complications from diabetes by controlling the micro-vessel damage that results from high blood-sugar levels.  One of the most serious diabetic complications is retinopathy, which can cause blindness. Retinopathy occurs when the body attempts to repair leaking, damaged capillaries, but does so by overproducing abnormal proteins. Not only do anthocyanins prevent capillaries from leaking in the first place, but they also prevent abnormal protein proliferation.

§      Bolstering eyesight by improving night vision and reducing eye fatigue.