Brazilians have long eaten the acai berry, a grapelike fruit harvested from acai plam trees native to the rainforests of South America. The fruit mixed with cassava flour is a staple food of Amazonians and a few years ago, acai berries made their way out into the world and exploded in popularity.
Juice bars, acai shops and restaurants have all jumped on the acai berry trend, mostly through acai bowls— savory, beautiful and healthy dishes for hungry health-nuts that are topped with fruits, granola, nuts and an assortment of other ingredients.
The popularity of acai is based on the berries being widely touted as superfoods helpful with a variety of health issues, including arthritis, weight loss, erectile dysfunction, and general detoxification.
It’s a well-earned reputation for the small edible blackish-purple berries. Full of antioxidants and fiber, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, which is part of the National Institutes of Health, indicates that a preliminary study suggests that eating acai fruit pulp might reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels in overweight people, as well as be an effective antioxidant in people, which protects cells against certain types of damage.
Another study that began in August will test if the acai berry extract can be used as a treatment with COVID-19. The study involving some 480 participants in expected to be completed by May 2021.
ACAI BOWLS
Acai Bowls are really a thick smoothie with acai puree blended with other fruits and served in a bowl, leaving a creamy purplish substance with a consistency similar to frozen yogurt. They are flavorful combinations of ingredients full of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals , fiber, protein and healthy fats where the acai—which tastes like a mix of wild berries and chocolate—plays a central role.
Buying one at a shop may be expensive, but you can put one together at home, for a fraction of the price. Here at HyggeWellbeing, where we specialize in superfoods that help keep you healthy and active, we can help you put together the perfect bowl or smoothie.
What you put in them depends on you, but to start crafting the perfect concoction, you might want to try Terrasoul Acai Powder, which is perfect for smoothies and bowls.
You can also try Organic Freeze Dried Acai Powder, which helps you create a richly colored, super snack or meal that will keep you full longer and give you enough energy for whatever task you have at hand.
Some of the ingredients you can include in an acai bowl include bananas, almond or peanut butter, protein powder, dates, spinach or kale, almond milk. You can top the bowls with strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, granola, almonds, pecans, walnuts, hemp or chia seeds.
For some options, try vegan, gluten-free, no-added sugar Rollagranola Awesome Almond that will add some extra crunch and flavor to your acai bowl. Almonds are low in carbs and high in protein and fiber, which are known to increase feelings of fullness, helping to reduce hunger and promote weight loss.
There’s also RealFoodSource Organic Hemp Seeds that are high in protein and a good source of Omega3 Fatty Acids and Vitamin E. These seeds are also a perfect addition to salads, porridge and flapjacks. Technically a nut, hemp seeds are a great source of vitamin E and minerals such as phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, iron and zinc. The seeds contain high amounts of the amino acid arginine, which produces nitric oxide in your body. This is a gas molecule that makes your blood vessels dilate and relax, leading to lowered blood pressure and a reduced risk of heart disease.
Or you may want to try RealFooodSource Organic Freeze Dried Strawberry Slices that have no additives, colorings or preservatives. Strawberries are packed with fiber, which is important to feed the good bacteria in your gut and improve digestive health. They also contain vitamin C, helpful to your skin health, manganese and potassium, essential to body functions such as regulating blood pressure.
Easy, fast and delicious, acai bowls can be a nutritious breakfast option, a great middle-of-the-day snack or a fill me up at night. All you need to do is prepare a smoothie base of the acai powder and other ingredients in a blender until smooth, pour it into a bowl and add the desired toppings.
If you enjoy variety, you’ll love acai bowls, where you can really get crazy with the ingredients and toppings, which are really endless. Nothing is really off limits and you can play around with the taste, replacing strawberries with mango or papaya for a more tropical theme.
Although acai bowls may seem high in sugar, the sugar in them is completely natural and comes from fruit, which is different than added sugar. You get all the nutrition from the acai berry plus the vitamins, protein, and minerals from the rest of the ingredients. It’s a dish packed with nutrition and flavor.
They are the perfect example of the type of dishes we promote here at HyggeWellbeing, which strives to provide a better life through better food made with simple, natural and nutritious ingredients that help your body and your brain remain active and in harmony.
Acai bowls are a great superfood with great taste and amazing health benefits. A fantastic combination to help you feel your best and keep you going as you face the stress of everyday life.
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