I’m starting to feel like I am way, way, way late to the açaí berry game, but actually I’m technically not. The very first time I ever tasted açaí was when I was in my early 20s (a long, long time ago!). My friends and I had just spent a day laying out on the beach in South Beach Miami and were heading home when we stopped in to a little gelateria that was serving up free samples of açaí smoothies. It hadn’t yet become a thing, but the Brazilian owners were super excited about it, so I had my sample, loved it, then got some nocciola e cocco gelato and was on my way.
That was the last time I had açaí until recently…despite the fact that everyone and their neighbor has been singing the praises of açaí bowls for the past few years, I always just opted for a green smoothie and totally missed that dark berried puree boat. I’m not one to jump on trends, and I always felt like the açaí bowl movement was definitely trendy, or at least just way too Insta worthy (along with avocado toast…which is also delicious, but this is how I rebel…give me alll the ugly foods!).
….so why am I sitting here writing about it now?
Well…honestly, because, as you should all know by now, I tend to geek out on natural stuff and I’m always looking to expand on the stuff I eat and use to pretty much keep myself from falling apart. I mean once you’re deep into your 40s like I am….you definitely want to look into maintenance…and I’ve challenged myself to do all the maintenance at-home and as naturally as possible!
So, açaí…let’s talk about why I’ve finally jumped on that berry bandwagon and how it’s the perfect food for “older” skin!
It all started with a quick little search on the benefits of tropical fruits because I really wanted to incorporate something new (and wildly effective) in my daily smoothies. Acai kept coming up as one of the most potently “anti-aging” fruits and of course I had to know more…..Why so potent? How was it anti-aging? In what ways would my skin, and health, benefit from açaí?
Well, first of all, açaí is considered one of the best berries for your skin because it has the highest levels of antioxidants including anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, protocatechuic acid, procyanidins, and epicatechin than any other berry. This means that your skin is receiving top notch cell protection and protection from free radicals.
Acai also delivers high doses of skin loving vitamins like A, C, and several of the Bs. Vitamin A is hailed as the wrinkle fighter and works hard to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out, your pores clear, and your collagen production at its optimum. Vitamin C is also a must-have for healthy collagen production as well as being a tremendous antioxidant in its own right. The B Vitamins (Niacin, Riboflavin, and Thiamine) help transport nutrients to our cells, including our skin cells, and also work to stave off free radical damage.
As if that weren’t enough, açaí naturally delivers calcium, magnesium, zinc, and copper…all of which are not only great for your overall health, but also play a key role in sustaining the integrity of your skin. These minerals help maintain elasticity in your skin, fight inflammation, and play important roles in skin renewal.
One last thing …..açaí happens to have unusually high levels of fatty acids (and I say unusually because we don’t typically think of fruit as having fatty acids…but they do and some more than others….like açaí!). So, why is this important enough to get excited about? Because fatty acids naturally protect your skin from environmental damage and can markedly reduce the signs of aging. Give me all the açaí!.
Seriously. Give me all of it.
So, if you’ve been like me, and hesitating to find out what all the açaí rage is about, stop waiting and go for it! I’ve committed to adding these berries to my diet at least three times a week and with so many options, whether you get it in powder form, frozen puree, or head to the local cafe for your artistic fruit bowl creation, this is one healthy skin boost that won’t get boring.
If you’re crazy busy like me, then a pre-made and frozen açaí bowl like the one by Açaí Exotic is the way to go. It’s the perfect snack or meal-on-the-go and has nothing but wholesome ingredients my skin (and body) love! My kids love this stuff too…and with the advantage of eating açaí so young…well….they may have just figured out the fountain of youth. 😉
**As an affiliate, I make a small portion of some of the sales made via some of the links in my blog.
**header photo by Ella Olson @unsplash
