Welcome to the world of acai oil! If you’re looking for a natural and effective way to help nourish and protect your hair & skin, then acai oil is the perfect answer.

This oil, derived from the acai berry, has been used in Brazil for centuries and is now gaining popularity around the world.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the many benefits of acai oil and how you can incorporate it into your daily skin care routine.

General facts about acai oil:

Acai berry: overview

Acai berry is a beautiful dark-purple fruit that looks like a big blueberry but has a different taste and composition.

However, unlike berries, the acai fruit grows on palm trees scientifically known as Eterpe Oleracea.

These trees grow in South America mainly in tropical forests in regions like Brazil, Venezuela, and Colombia.

Nonetheless, this is not an ordinary palm tree!

The heart of the acai palm tree is consumed as a vegetable, it also provides wood for house constructions and the fruit can be used as ink.

Nonetheless, the fruits not only offer a natural dye but it is also rich in oils that are full of nutritional value.

In fact, acai oil extract is a great source of vitamins, minerals, and phenols which make it used in many dietary and cosmetic products.

Legends of acai:

In the region of the Amazon, the fruit is called “içà-çai” which can translate to “the fruit that cries”.

As a folkloric belief of the Amazonian Indians, they believe that when they were struck by famine their chief ordered them to sacrifice newborn babies for the Gods.

The daughter of the chief was recently a mother and she had to give up her child as well.

However, she didn’t want to give up her child so she climbed to the top of an acai tree and kept crying to God to relieve their famine.

The legend says she cried all night and the next day her father found her dead with purple lips and her eyes were pointed at the sky.

Also, next to her he found the branches of acai fruits so he ordered his people to pick them and they used them to survive famine.

The chief of the tribe named the fruit “Acai” which is his daughter’s name in reverse (Iaça).

Since then this fruit was used in many dietary and traditional medicine practices to treat bleeding, infections, or diarrhea.

Also, many infusions were made with acai seeds as the main ingredient to treat fever and other stomach issues.

In Peru, people use acai as a traditional practice to treat bleeding, kidney disease, hard menstruation, and hepatitis.

Now let’s move on to what science has said about all these benefits that people believe!

The truth about acai oil:

Recently, even health professionals have conducted many studies to confirm the health benefits of acai fruits and their oil.

Many pieces of research show that the oil composition of this fruit is rich in antioxidants but not the richest.

However, although this oil is rich in antioxidants it is not the richest unlike many people claim.

For instance, strawberries, cranberries, and grapes are richer in antioxidants but acai oil offers other beneficial plant components.

In addition, there is no proof that acai oil has slimming effects either but it does lower cholesterol and increases energy.

Nonetheless, organic acai oil is full of many other beneficial components which we’re going to mention in the next parts!

Acai oil’s nutritional values and health benefits:

Acai oil nutritional values:

Acai berries have a good reputation because of their high antioxidant properties thanks to their active ingredients.

Among those components, the oil of this fruit contains the highest ORAC index which indicates the antioxidant power of a certain food.

This index shows the effectiveness of certain foods against oxidative stress.

Also, acai extract contains polyphenols such as anthocyanins and many other components including:

• 8% proteins.
• 32% fats (omega 9, omega 6, and saturated fats).
• 52 carbohydrates.
• Polyphenols: anthocyanins, flavonoids…
• Dietary fibers.
• Minerals: copper, calcium, iron, and manganese.
• Vitamins: C, A, and E.

Acai oil health benefits:

Even though acai oil is popular because of its presence in many cosmetic products, it also has great dietary virtues.

Internal use (dietary):

Stimulating and energizing virtues:

As a great source of phosphorus, amino acids, fatty acids, and b vitamins, acai oil can significantly increase energy production.

Being a fruit, most people would assume acai contains a lot of sugars but luckily it has a very low glycemic index.

Not only that, but the nutrients in this essential oil promote the proper functioning of the muscles.

Many nutritionists recommend consuming acai oil in the morning to help you have an energetic start to the day.

You would be surprised by the number of energy drinks that contain acai extract to promote endurance.

In fact, many athletes include acai berries or acai oil in their diet to promote relaxation and post-workout recovery.

A formidable antioxidant power:

The acai fruit is a great source of antioxidants like anthocyanins and it has a high ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) index.

In fact, according to a study, 3.5 ounces of acai berries had an ORAC index 3 times higher than that of blueberries for the same amount.

Our bodies are in constant need of antioxidants because they are essential elements to boost immunity.

These compounds help fight free radicals, cardiovascular disorders, cancer, and other age-related diseases.

Stimulate cognitive functions:

The essential oil extracted from the acai berry contains a good amount of omega 6 and 9 which are beneficial for the brain.

In fact, many studies show the effectiveness of these fatty acids in the fight again premature aging of brain cells.

Thanks to the strong anti-inflammatory properties they offer, omega 6 and 9 in acai can enhance cognitive functions.

As a result, there is a lower risk of memory loss and age-related diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer, and dementia.

Regular consumption of acai oil can contribute to the ‘self-cleaning” process of the brain of toxins and dead cells.

Taking care of your heart health:

Anthocyanins and other compounds in this oil have a great effect on the bad cholesterol levels in our blood.

Throughout the years, the accumulation of bad cholesterol along with other components forms plaque layers inside blood vessels.

That plaque narrows the cross-section of the arteries and vessels which leads to non-regular blood flow.

Not only does acai oil lowers bad cholesterol, but it also helps decompose plaque in the arteries.

In addition, this oil also contains plant sterols which have a vasodilatory effect and therefore regulate blood flow.

Skin benefits:

The one thing you should remember about skin health is that you should take action even before any condition develops.

Prevention is better than cure and it’s in this sense that you should consider the use of acai oil to nourish your skin.

Benefits:

Omega 6 and Omega 9:

Acai is a great source of omega 6 and 9 both of which have a great impact on the skin and hair.

For instance, omega 6 (linoleic acids) in acai oil is an essential fatty acid since our body doesn’t produce them.

They are essential because they are one of the essential components of ceramides which keep the epidermis hydrated.

Also, this oil is full of omega 9 (oleic acid) which is one of the main components of skin sebum.

Getting enough omega 6 and 9 would restore the skin’s elasticity and protect it from external factors and aging.

Whether consuming acai oil or applying it on the skin externally, it would help the skin retain more moisture and remain youthful.

Acai oil as an anti-aging agent:

Throughout the years, the skin is always exposed to environmental conditions including temperature, UV radiation…

Consequently, the skin’s aging accelerates since the body is not unable to equally undo those damages.

Because of that, we are in constant need to nurture our skin and improve its antioxidant profile to protect it from damage.

Acai oil offers a great antioxidant profile that can protect the skin from wrinkles, cracks, and acne.

Rich in polyphenols:

Acai oil is a great source of polyphenols, a group of plant compounds with great antioxidant properties.

For instance, this oil contains quercetin which can reduce inflammation caused by acne and promote hydration.

Also, proanthocyanidins in acai play a huge role in stabilizing collagen and reducing swelling.

These two phenols along with other phenols in acai oil act as a shield to protect the skin against external and internal damaging factors.

Rich in palmitic acid:

Another effective ingredient in this oil is palmitic acid which has great anti-microbial properties.

This is a type of fatty acid that is often used in cosmetic products to hide blackheads and acne.

Once you apply acai oil to your skin, the palmitic acid forms a thin film on top of the skin to protect it.

That film also makes the skin softer because it helps retain moisture which promotes skin hydration.

Oily skin is due to a disturbance in that film which can also be nourished with palmitic acid to prevent skin greasiness.

Home remedies:

There are many traditional remedies to make a homemade product that you can use on your skin:

Using the oil with other antioxidant serums:

Most of the commercially sold serums are made to treat a specific condition like fungal or bacterial infections.

The good thing about acai oil is that you can add it to any antioxidant serum to enhance its composition.

This can be a great way to incorporate acai extract into your daily skin routine to speed up the healing process.

Use Acai Oil with moisturizers:

As mentioned above, this oil extract of the acai fruit contains omega 6 and 9 which can the skin retain moisture.

Therefore, you can simply add a few drops of this oil to your usual moisturizer to boost its properties.

By doing so, the body can balance its sebum creation so that your skin is not oily but still has enough moisture to be healthy.

Hair benefits:

Since its richness in antioxidants and micro-nutrients, acai oil is also beneficial for the hair.

In South America, this oil is the main ingredient for many traditional remedies for hair masks.

For instance, some beauticians and hairdressers recommend adding acai oil to moisturizers, conditioners, and other hair products.

It can also be used on its own by applying it directly on the scalp and hair with or without other ingredients.

The rich composition of fatty acids and antioxidants can eliminate dandruff while nourishing the hair.

Those active ingredients can slow down the aging process of the hair and maintain its shininess and softness.

Many studies show that omega 9 can make the hair softer and help it retain water while omega 3 prevents hair loss and promote hair growth.

Other health benefits:

• A natural moisturizer.
• Full of antioxidants.
• Neutralizes the harms of free radicals.
• Improves digestion.
• Anti-bacterial.
• Boosts immunity.
• Enhances cognitive abilities.
• Protects from the cold and the flu.
• Improves blood circulation.
• Promotes a healthy cardiovascular system.
• Increases the energy.