Why is Acai so rich in Antioxidants?

By now, you probably have already heard about the amazing nutritional value of Acai Berry Juice. It contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids. As well as a unique variety of antioxidants and other phytochemicals yet to be fully understood by science. The Acai berry is best known for its extraordinary high levels, and variety of antioxidants. These antioxidants provide a number of health benefits from reducing oxidative stress, improving cardiovascular health, to possibly preventing degenerative diseases. But why is the Acai so rich in Antioxidants? This answer comes from both above the clouds, and below the ground.

Fruits Natural Sunscreen
Plants use antioxidants to cope with oxidative stress. Acai comes from a palm tree that grows in the Amazon rainforest, which is found right on the equator. Mature palms can grow up to 100 feet tall, exposing the crown of the tree to intense UV rays of the canopy of the rainforest. The fruit is found just under the crown of leafs, at the very top of the tree. Plants and trees produce certain antioxidants to protect their fruits from photo-damage from harmful UV rays emitted by the sun. These antioxidants are called anthocyanins, and typically found in the skins of fruits and vegetables. Compared to other plants, Acai produces much higher levels of anthocyanins and other antioxidants to protect against the intense sun rays found near the equator.

Prolonged Seasonal Flooding
Acai grows primarily along the Amazon River basin, where flooding is a seasonal event. Most plants would die within a few days of immense flooding which cuts off oxygen supplies, and stresses the plant. The acai palm can withstand weeks, even months of flooded conditions because it can diffuse oxygen from its leaves, into its roots, and because it produces certain antioxidants to combat the stresses of seasonal flooding.

The Acai is more than just a typical palm tree because it has evolved over time to cope with the stresses of living in the immense sun rays of the rainforest canopy, and the prolonged seasonal flooding of the Amazon River. Extraordinary high levels of antioxidants are the end result of this evolution, and also, what makes Acai such a unique superfruit.