The most beneficial nutrients that the acai berry offers are antioxidants. Antioxidants are so important in a well-rounded diet because of two main benefits that they offer: anti-aging and a boost in cardiovascular health. As stated by numerous medical studies done over the positive effects of adding acai berries to a daily diet, the high levels of antioxidants present in the fruit, such as antocyanins, play a key role in combating premature aging and cardiovascular disease.

ORAC is an acronym for Oxygen Radical Absorbtion Capacity. The body's ability to absorb oxygen is directly linked to the amount of antioxidants present in the diet and the more antioxidants taken in, the more the body is aided in absorbing oxygen. As the body is given more oxygen, it has a greater ability to fight the negative effects of aging and heart disease. Therefore, it is crucial to have a diet not only rich in vitamins, nutrients and minerals, but in antioxidants as well. The acai berry has been proven to be the best source for antioxidants available, but how does one find out the amount of antioxidants in acai products? Many of the acai products currently available include with their nutritional facts an ORAC value. A good way to gauge the ORAC values on the products is knowing the ORAC value of raw, harvested acai berries: Approximately, the ORAC value is 1200 for one gram of the acai fruit. Products that have an ORAC value of 400 and up are best, whereas some products only boast of 100 and even lower.

In addition to the ORAC value, the way in which the fruit has been processed is also an effective means of gauging antioxidant levels in a given product. Freezing the fruit pulp after harvesting, and using the frozen pulp to make a product without adding a substantial amount of additives, is one effective way of preserving the goodness of the acai berries. The second method is by processing the harvested berries into a freeze-dried powder. This method preserves both the long list of nutrients that the acai berries offer, and the high amounts of antioxidants that have been medically proven to fortify the heart and to fight premature aging.

Before you choose the acai product that is right for you, consider why you are buying it. If your reason is the antioxidants that are naturally found in acai berries, then you should be sure of the ORAC value in any acai product that you wish to purchase. That way, you will know without a doubt that you are getting the most for your hard earned dollars and a long list of vitamins, minerals and nutrients that will benefit your body in a number of important ways.