Açai Berry: Usage as Functional Food and Relation with Health


Acar Tek N., Karaçil Ermumcu M. Ş., Pehlivan M.

European Congress on Obesity (ECO2018), Vienna, Avusturya, 23 - 25 Mayıs 2018, ss.312

  • Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Özet Bildiri
  • Basıldığı Şehir: Vienna
  • Basıldığı Ülke: Avusturya
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.312
  • Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Açai Berry: Usage as Functional Food and Relation with Health Acar Tek, N.; Karacil Ermumcu, M.S.; Pehlivan, M. Nutrition and Dietetics, Gazi University Faculty of Health Sciences, Ankara/ Turkey Introduction: The fruit of the açai palm (Euterpe oleracea Martius) is widely found in South America with Amazon region of Brazil and it has gained international attention as a popular functional food. Its fruits are commonly known as açai berry, it is a small, round, black-purple and also its appearance similar to a grape. Açai berry is consumed raw and as juice. The açai berry juice is used commercially in syrup, ice cream, liquors, energy drinks and a variety of other beverages, and also it can be used as a natural food colorant. Methods: This review aims to evaluate açai berry usage as functional food and its relation with health Results: Açai berries have high amounts of flavonoids and also they are rich in carbohydrates. The fat content of açai berry is that monounsaturated oleic acid is the primary fat (56.2%) and also it includes saturated fatty acid-palmitic acid (24.1%) and polyunsaturated acid-linoleic acid (12.5%). Açai berry includes vitamins A, C, and E, calcium, phosphorus, iron, thiamine, and polyphenols and anthocyanins. In the last decades, most of the beneficial effects of açai berry gained attention. These are losing weight, preventing aging, improving sexual performance, digestion, arthritis, and general health. And also açai berry exhibits antioxidant, antinociceptive, antiinflammatory and anticancer activities because of its high level of phytochemicals. These effects have been most frequently investigated, but the responsible constituents have not been fully resolved. In vitro and animal model studies showed that açai berry consumption slows the progression of oxidative stress and induces hypocholesterolemic, antiatherogenic, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects. Recently the açai berry has been marketed as a dietary supplement. It is considered a major botanical dietary supplement. So companies sell açai berry products in the form of tablets, juice, smoothies, and instant drinks. Conclusion: There is limited scientific research to support the health benefits of the açai berry. Therefore, more scientific research is needed to confirm the many health benefits of the açai berry. Until the health benefits of the açai berry are scientifically proven, it seems more reasonable, cheaper, and safer to get antioxidants from other fruit and vegetable sources.