Keeping fit is one of the most challenging tasks one can embark on. With all the diseases emerging as a result of obesity, it is wise to lose some weight. However, these things are easier said than done. It takes a strong will power to stick to a weight loss regimen. Keep in mind that although it may be difficult, having your desired weight is possible, and it starts with keeping abreast with the effective weight loss measures available.
Glycemic Index
The glycemic index is the ranking of carbohydrates and their effect on blood glucose or sugar levels. The carbohydrates in your food are converted into glucose. Some carbohydrates are immediately converted to sugar; hence have a higher glycemic index. The slower the conversion into glucose, the lower is the glycemic index.
Carbohydrates are classified into simple and complex:
Simple carbs are made up of one or two sugar molecules. The single sugar molecules are glucose, fructose and galactose. When fructose is combined with glucose, it yields sucrose, a two sugar molecule also called as disaccharide. Glucose and galactose make up the lactose, while 2 single glucose molecules combined result to maltose.
Complex carbohydrates are long chains of sugar molecules. Starches, fibers and polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates. Your digestive tract breaks down these long chains of sugar molecules, including the disaccharides into a single sugar. Fructose and galactose have to pass the liver to be converted into glucose. Fiber is not digested; it passes through the intestines, giving a feeling of fullness. Food rich in fiber take a longer time to convert into sugar than those without it.
Foods with low glycemic index help in managing weight loss because they control appetite by making you feel fuller for a longer time. Furthermore, your physical stamina is prolonged.
Acai Berry
One of the foods beneficial to your weight loss management is acai berry. It is known to have a low glycemic index which would help you in achieving your plan to slim down.
Acai berry is a highly nutritious purple-colored fruit native to the Amazon forests of Brazil. Despite its small size, it is packed with beneficial properties to your health, including weight loss. It should be consumed shortly after harvesting, but acai is available in capsule and juice forms outside Brazil.
Acai berry is a superfood because of its high antioxidant content. The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) is a method done at the laboratory to determine the antioxidant capacity of foods. Acai berry has a remarkably high score then other fruits tested such as blueberry and apple, pale in comparison.
The antioxidant properties in acai berry are due to its rich anthocyanin content.
It has various medicinal uses ranging from the reduction of pain and inflammation to cardiovascular uses. Its low glycemic index and high fiber content are of importance for weight-watchers. It curbs your appetite by telling your brain that you are not hungry. It burns your calories by making your metabolism work. When coupled with regular exercise, the results are optimum. Fiber aids in your digestion and flushes out the wastes from your body.
Obesity is frequently associated with high cholesterol levels. Fear not, because acai berry is also equipped with cholesterol-lowering properties. It has omega fatty acids, the good fat also found in fish. Its ability to fight off free radicals prevents the oxidation of bad cholesterol, which is crucial to the formation of plaques in the arteries. Plaque build-up leads to a variety of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack.
Which Acai Berry Supplement to Choose?
You don’t have to go to Brazil to enjoy its healthy benefits. Several companies have realized the wonders of this small fruit and are banking on the production of supplements to bring it to more people in need of its medicinal properties. However, be wary of manufacturers who jump into the acai bandwagon yet come up with products that have very little acai content.
You can either have acai in the juice or capsule form. The juice form contains other fruit extracts to improve its taste, making the main ingredient in lesser concentration. Preservatives are also added to prolong its shelf life. The sugar in the juice may defeat your purpose of consuming a low glycemic index food. You may never reach your weight loss goal because of this. The preservatives added, may harm your health instead.
The capsule form utilizes 100% acai without the need for preservatives and other fruit combinations. It also doesn’t have to undergo the processes of pasteurization and reconstitution, unlike the juice form. These processes destroy the inherent antioxidants and vitamins that make the acai berry a superfood. The pill form uses freeze drying methods which preserve the many important nutrients.
The capsule form wins over the juice form in bringing you the important health benefits right from the Amazon forest. Make sure that the manufacturers of the capsule observe high standards in the processing of the supplement. They should not use pesticides in growing the acai tree and have clean harvesting and processing methods.
With the help of the right acai berry supplement, proper diet and regular exercise, you will be on your road to a slimmer, healthier figure in no time. Stick to your plan and you will never go wrong.
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