Portuguese | English





Pressione Enter para iniciar a Busca.





Volume 32, Nº 2, March and April 2019

   

DOI: http://www.dx.doi.org/10.5935/2359-4802.20180077

VIEWPOINT

Effect of Açaí (Euterpe Oleracea) Intake on Vascular Function and Lipid Profile: What is the Recommendation?

Heitor Oliveira Santos





Introduction

The açaí palm tree (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) is mostly native to Brazil, and its fruit, açaí berry, is very popular among physically active individuals. The açaí berry pulp, very pleasing to the taste buds, has gained adepts in Brazil, Europe and USA in recent years, being even considered a “superfruit”.1 The açaí berry pulp is rich in anthocyanins, which is reflected on its deep purple color, in addition to other bioactive substances, such as phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Because of its content of such substances, the açaí fruit has been claimed to have a significant pharmacodynamic effect, mainly on the cardiovascular physiology, affecting dyslipidemia and arterial hypertension. Thus, considering the pharmacodynamic substances and nutritional composition of the açaí berry, understanding the impact of its intake on the lipid profile and blood pressure is necessary.

Keywords: Euterpe; Hypertension; Phytochemicals; Lipids; Cholesterol, HDL; Flavonoids.