What Food Will Provide Sustained Energy Throughout The Day? The Acai Berries? YES!

Written by Jeremy Liddle

Monday, 28 September 2009 12:10

So what is in acai berries that provides sustained energy?

by JeremyLiddle

So what is in acai berries that provides 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.

A blood sugar that is too high or too low is dangerous for our bodies. So when sugar rises, it stimulates our organ, the pancreas, to release insulin into the blood. Insulin tells all our cells to open up their gates and let sugar in. This then causes the blood sugar level to drop again. When foods that release sugar quickly are consumed, our bodies tend to release too much insulin. Too much insulin means that too much sugar is taken up by our cells, and causes our sugar level to drop to under normal levels. This is what is usually felt after a sugar rush. It does not give you sustained energy and tends to leave people feeling tired and fatigued.

Acai berries have been tested by some companies in Australia and have been found to have a Glycemic Load (GL) of 0.5. GL is a more recent and more accurate way to measure the effect of particular carbs in the blood. It gives a more complete picture than GI as it is also calculated taking into account the actual amount of Carbs that have been consumed. A Gl of 11 or less is considered a low level, and so a food with such a result helps to control blood sugar levels and lowers the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Acai berries have a GL of 0.5, which means it can delver sustained energy.

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.

About the Author:

Jeremy Liddle is a experienced authority on importation and marketing of acai berries in Australia. He has been running health food businesses in Australia & overseas for over 7 years. RioLife is offering free delivery in Australia as a limited special. Click here to buy acai berries now, and click here for more nutritional information about the acai berry.