If you haven't heard of acai berries before, it's a deep-purple coloured berry native to the Amazon rainforest with amazing antioxidant properties.

Surprisingly, acai berries can only be grown in the Amazon as its environment provides the most optimal conditions for its growth. Given its short shelf life, they're normally converted into freeze-dried powders, pressed juice or purees immediately after harvesting which typically lengthen its usage.

At Olena, we use acai berry extracts in our protein powders Evolve and Elixir because of their rich antioxidant properties which help with recovery post your workout.

Let's take a look at the five main benefits of acai berries:

1. Loaded with vitamins and minerals

Did you know that acai berries are one of the most nutritiously complete foods available on Planet Earth? It's loaded with vitamins A, C and E and packed with minerals such as iron, zinc, magnesium and calcium which are often lacking in our regular diet.

2. Rich in antioxidants

Some of acai's most powerful health benefits come from plant compounds called anthocyanins. These plant compounds act as antioxidants in the body. They are also found in other blue, black and purple foods, such as black beans and blueberries and are extremely beneficial for heart and brain function.

3) Help improve cholesterol

There are studies which have shown that acai berries can help improve cholesterol levels by decreasing total and LDL cholesterol. This means that consuming acai berries can have a positive effect on your cholesterol levels. The anthocyanins present in acai berries along with plant sterols positively impact your cholesterol levels.

4) Boost brain function

Did you know that the plant compounds present in acai berries can protect your brain from damage. The antioxidants in acai berries reverse the damaging effects of inflammation and oxidation in brain cells which can negatively affect memory and learning. Not only that, but the antioxidants with their anti-inflammatory properties can also help lower the risk of diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

5) Anti-cancer properties

This miracle berry also has anti-cancer properties which many studies have shown a link to. There are studies which have shown that the anthocyanins present in acai berries have an anti-cancer effect. There was also one study which showed that the acai pulp reduced the incidence of colon and bladder cancer.