11/10/2018 / By Michelle Simmons
Researchers have found a novel benefit from the acai fruit (Euterpe oleracea), as its seeds have been found to prevent and treat renal hypertension and its symptoms. In their study, published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, the team identified that this benefit may come from the fruit’s antihypertensive and antioxidant properties.
For the study, researchers looked at the ability of acai seed extracts to protect the kidney from symptoms of high blood pressure using a hypertension mice model. They gave mice either 250 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of acai seed extract daily or a placebo for 40 days. Then, they measured serum and urinary parameters, renal structural changes, and oxidative status.
The results demonstrated that acai seed extract prevented the increase of systolic blood pressure, glomerular volume, and collagen deposition. Moreover, it improved the levels of urea and creatinine and urinary protein excretion, which were increased due to renal hypertension. It also prevented increased oxidative damage and restored nitrite content and the expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes. In addition, the treatment significantly reduced renal injury and prevented renal dysfunction. These findings indicated that acai seed extract can be used to treat and prevent renal hypertension and its symptoms.
Acai, or acai berry, is one of the healthiest fruits in the world. It is a grape-like purple-colored fruit native to the rainforests of South America. Acai berry tastes like a blend of chocolate and berries, with a slight metallic aftertaste. This fruit has been considered as a superfood because of the many potential health benefits it can offer. (Related: Acai berry – Six ways this superfood can change your health.)
Read on to know what health benefits it can give you.
Read more news stories and studies on medicinal foods like acai by going to Superfoods.news.
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Tagged Under: acai, alternative medicine, antioxidants, food as medicine, food cures, hypertension, natural cures, natural medicine, renal hypertension, Renovascular hypertension