What exactly is a "Free Radical"? While most of us have heard the word, it is not inevitably obvious accurately what a free radical is. A free radical is a organically occurring byproduct of our physical functions. In disproportionate quantities they are damaging and they can harm our cells and generate disease and age related deterioration. However, they are not all harmful and our bodies do have need of some of them.

Think about how an apple will become brown if you cut it and leave it out to air. That modification in color and quality is from oxidation. That is fundamentally the equivalent process that our bodies go through and it is the similar process that causes free radicals in our bodies.

Oxygen is transported all through our bloodstream where it is necessary for ordinary cell function. Often the oxygen molecule in our bodies is missing in the number of electrons that it holds. The electrons need to be stable so the oxygen molecule will actually lift an electron from another molecule, which then leaves that molecule with an unpaired electron. That is a free radical, a molecule with an unpaired electron.

There are many unique factors that can play a role to the creation of free radicals. The value of the oxygen could be impaired because of environmental pollutants, cigarette smoke and more. Various bodily functions and issues could also contribute to poor quality oxygen. Free radicals can be created by the food that we eat, extreme exposure to the sun, exposure to radiation and environmental pollutants. When the body uses oxygen for regular processes, unpaired electrons or free radicals are released in the process.

Free radicals are changed, unpaired oxygen molecules, which can initiate a huge deal of stress and difficulty in the body. Free radicals are a big causative reason to the clogging of arteries, premature aging, the development of disease and more.

Antioxidants work to neutralize the free radicals. The antioxidant will couple up with the unpaired electron or the free radical and stabilize it. However, in the course of that more free radicals are produced and you must always continue to replace the antioxidants. In other words, in order for antioxidants to be effective you must completely employ them into your diet and eat them daily.

Studies have shown that antioxidants are valuable to cancel out the effects of aging and the avoidance of diseases. They can assist in weight loss, insomnia, infertility and more. Nature has provided an plenty of antioxidants in all of the healthiest foods. It is most helpful and positive to get your antioxidants from a wholesome diet.

Free radicals are a natural byproduct of living and we cannot do without them, however in excessive quantities they can initiate many troubles. You can regulate free radical damage by consuming plenty of natural occurring antioxidants and you can find these powerful nutrients in most of nature's healthiest foods.

The acai berry is a tiny, little fruit that is only found in the rainforests of Brazil. What makes this tiny berry so astounding is that it has been discovered that the acai berry has some of the highest antioxidant and anthocyanins levels of any fruit grown on Earth. The acai berry has 10 times the antioxidant activity of red grapes and twice the antioxidant levels of another powerful fruit, the blueberry. The acai berry also has 10 to 30 times the antioxidant levels of red wine.

The acai berry contains several specific substances with high antioxidant activity called anthocyanins and flavonoids. The anthocyanins are responsible for the deep red, purple and blue colors that are found in many healthy foods. Foods that are high in anthocyanins are extremely nutritious and they are generally very deeply colored from deep reds to deep purples to almost black. This would include blueberries, red grapes, and plums and of course, the acai berry.

Anthocyanins and flavonoids are impressive antioxidants that defend the body from stress. Different types of stressors create free radicals within the body. A free radical is essentially an atom or molecule that is highly unstable due to a single unpaired electron. An antioxidant will pair up the random electron thereby stabilizing the molecule.

Antioxidant activity from foods is measured by what is described as an ORAC score. The ORAC score measures the ability of a substance to subdue free radicals within the controlled environment of a test tube. The higher the number of the ORAC score the stronger the antioxidant capacities of the food are. The acai berry has been found to have an extremely high ORAC score.

The acai berry is also substantially high in healthy fats and amino acids. Nearly 50% of the edible part of the acai berry is comprised of fat and 74% of that fat is from the extremely healthy unsaturated fats that are essential to our health, Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9. The acai berry also contains 19 different amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein.

Vitamins and plant sterols are also lavish in the acai berry. Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and E are all present within this tiny little powerhouse. The acai berry also contains potassium, magnesium, calcium, copper and zinc. Three plant sterols have also been found in the acai berry and these substances have been shown to provide numerous health benefits.

The acai berry is quite tasty and provides a healthy dose of fiber. You can partake of these healthy treats by consuming the dried berries, sipping on the delicious juice or even taking products made from the extracts. Delicious smoothies and desserts are also made from the acai berry.

Research will continue to be conducted on the acai berry but the discoveries so far have been pretty astonishing. The acai berry can aid in weight loss and the prevention of diseases. The acai berry offers tremendous nutritional benefits that are beneficial to human health.