Known as one of the healthiest foods on the planet, and harvested in the rainforests of Brazil, the acai berry is one full of antioxidant, amino acids and essential fatty acids (Omega 3, 6, and 9) . So why are these three things good for you? Let's break them down:

• Antioxidants - Anthocyanins and Polyphenols - are the substances that protect cells against damage from oxidation caused by "free radical" molecules, which split important cells, including proteins, damage membranes and create mutations in the DNA. This cell deterioration is a cause in the development of cancer, in the loss of mental capacity, loss of memory, degenerative illnesses and premature aging.
• Amino acids play central roles both as building blocks of proteins and as intermediates in metabolism.
• Essential fatty acids improve the immune system, help maintain low levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, play an important part in the stabilization of the heart rhythm, in cleaning the arteries and normalizing arterial pressure. They regulate the hormone prostaglandin, which helps the body in cleansing the walls of the blood vessels and to diminish the formation of blood clots. Omega 9 is associated with the reduction of the arterioscleroses, reduces resistance to insulin, which balances the glucose.

The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) is a test tube analysis that measures the total antioxidant power of foods and other chemical substances. Eating plenty of high-ORAC fruits and vegetables may help slow the processes associated with aging in both body and brain.