So what is in acai berries that provides sustained energy?

Carbohydrates and fibre, but not all carbohydrates provide sustained energy. Carbohydrates, when digested, release glucose, or sugar into the blood. Some carbohydrates cause the sugar to be released very quickly, whereas others cause it to be released more slowly. The measure of the extent of the sugar rise caused after a food is eaten is called the Glycemic Index (or GI). The lower the GI of a food, the slower the food is digested and absorbed, producing a gradual rise in blood sugar levels. Foods such as white bread or jelly beans, when eaten, cause blood sugar to rise very quickly.

In order to keep the body healthy blood sugar levels must be kept at a normal level. If they rise it stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin, which is the substance that communicates to the cells to start absorbing sugar, in turn causing blood sugar levels to reduce. Foods that are high in GI cuase extra amounts of insulin which results in too much sugar being absorbed after the sugar rush, depleting blood sugar far below the normal level. This then causes the familiar low that people experience after a sugar rush.

Acai berries have been tested by some companies in Australia and have been found to have a Glycemic Load (GL) of 0.5. GL is a more recent and more accurate way to measure the effect of particular carbs in the blood. It gives a more complete picture than GI as it is also calculated taking into account the actual amount of Carbs that have been consumed. A Gl of 11 or less is considered a low level, and so a food with such a result helps to control blood sugar levels and lowers the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Acai berries have a GL of 0.5, which means it can delver sustained energy.

Acting like a sponge, the dietary fibre in acai mixes with all the digestion and food in our stomachs to bind the good food consumed, reducing the rate of digestion. Therefore a sugar rush will not be felt after eating, the sugar is released slowly and provides sustained energy! This will also aid in controlling food cravings. Which can in turn assist in stopping obesity.

Most of the energy in Acai actually comes not from sugar but from the healthy omega-6 and omega-9 fats, so acai is one food that can be eaten guilt free! It can help people feel full due to the fibre content, and at the same time provide sustained energy. It is best to mix acai with apple juice, which also has a relative low GI, to delivery sustained energy in a smoothie.

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