Know What To Eat And Drink to Receive Sustained Energy? Acai Berries!

By Jeremy Liddle

Well what is it about acai berries that delivers sustained energy?

Carbohydrates and fibre, but not all carbohydrates provide sustained energy. Carbohydrates, when digested, release glucose, or sugar into the blood. Some carbohydrates cause the sugar to be released very quickly, whereas others cause it to be released more slowly. The measure of the extent of the sugar rise caused after a food is eaten is called the Glycemic Index (or GI). The lower the GI of a food, the slower the food is digested and absorbed, producing a gradual rise in blood sugar levels. Foods such as white bread or jelly beans, when eaten, cause blood sugar to rise very quickly.

In order to keep the body healthy blood sugar levels must be kept at a normal level. If they rise it stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin, which is the substance that communicates to the cells to start absorbing sugar, in turn causing blood sugar levels to reduce. Foods that are high in GI cuase extra amounts of insulin which results in too much sugar being absorbed after the sugar rush, depleting blood sugar far below the normal level. This then causes the familiar low that people experience after a sugar rush.

With a glycemic load (GL) of 0.5, acai berries delivery a slow and sustained blood sugar rise. GL is a newer and more accurate way to determine the effect of certain carbohydrates in the blood. It gives a better picture than GI alone as it also takes into account the volume of carbohydrate eaten. A Gl of 10 or less is considered a small level, and so a food with GL 10 or less helps to control blood sugar levels and lowers the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Acai has a GL of 0.5, which means that it delivers the sustained energy needs for today's hectic life.

The dietary fibre in Acai acts like a sponge, mixes with all the digestive juices in our bodies binding to the good eaten, and helps to slow down digestion. Instead of getting a sugar rush after a meal, the sugar is released slowly, providing sustained energy! This also helps control appetite and delays hunger. Which means that it may help prevent weight gain and therefore the risk of obesity.

Most of the energy in Acai actually comes not from sugar but from the healthy omega-6 and omega-9 fats, so acai is one food that can be eaten guilt free! It can help people feel full due to the fibre content, and at the same time provide sustained energy. It is best to mix acai with apple juice, which also has a relative low GI, to delivery sustained energy in a smoothie. - 30414

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