Acai: Your Essential Immune Booster for Winter!

We have some great news!

Ahhhhh, finally some good news in this second winter dominated by COVID. Add to that the usual minor ailments, and we’re all set to hibernate at home until spring.

So don't worry! We have a solution—maybe not a miracle cure, but one that can help boost our spirits and our immune system!

We turned to Julie Lioré, a freelance science writer, to find out whether the benefits of acai couldhelp us combat winter ailments.

And here is his response:

Prevent and manage winter illnesses with acai

As the days grow shorter, darker, and colder, energy levels and mood tend to drop, thereby weakening the immune system and leaving us wide open to winter infections, which are common during the cold season. With both the body and the mind under strain, we need support. Whether for prevention—to avoid getting sick—or as a remedy during a viral infection, it is essential to provide your body with sufficient vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. However, the food supply during this season—such as nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables—is more limited.

Never mind. The acai, a small Amazonian berry packedwith an astonishing array of nutrients, is ideal for preventing and managing winter ailments. Harvested from August through December, the berries are immediately de-seeded and the pulp frozen to preserve all its benefits. The fruit’s pulp is thus available year-round. Whether you’re in good health, feeling tired, or under the weather, acai pulp—stored in the freezer or blended with other fruits—is as convenient to use in various recipes as it is delicious to eat. Its chocolatey red-fruit flavor is, in itself, a remedy for a healthy glow. 

 

And that’s perfect timing—check out our frozen acai ! 

An impressive nutrient content

Omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids help, among other things, to strengthen the immune system, which is the first line of defense against invading pathogens or established diseases. Yet the acai berry has an exceptionally high fat content for a fruit that generally contains little to no fat. 

 

As for copper, it has proven antibacterial and antiviral properties. This trace element also acts as an immunostimulant, meaning it promotes the production of antibodies, thereby helping to boost resistance to microbial infections. It also supports the adrenal glands, which, when weakened, can lead to a general feeling of fatigue. Finally, copper potentiates vitamin C, which acts as an immune modulator by boosting macrophages and lymphocytes—the first line of defense against viral infections. 

The high fiber content of acai is also a boon to health during this season. Insoluble fibers are fermentable and cannot be digested by the body; however, they nourish the gut microbiota, the cornerstone of the immune system. A well-nourished microbiome enables a wide range of biochemical reactions and functions, such as improved absorption of nutrients from food, protection against pathogens (particularly viruses and bacteria), effective management of fat storage—and thus weight—and a significant role in regulating emotions. 

In addition, the high antioxidant potential of acai berries makes them protective and restorative at every level of the body, so they play a major role in overall health.

The pulp of acai berries is therefore particularly beneficial during the cold season, helping you stay healthy by providing your body with what it needs and giving you the energy to get through the winter.

That’s reassuring! Don’t wait any longer—get ready for winter!

Article by Julie Lioré

Freelance science writer