The human body requires several minerals in trace amounts. While these minerals are not necessary for the growth itself, they are absolutely vital for the development of bodily functions. Since the body cannot produce these minerals on its own, it is necessary for them to be supplemented through the diet. However, people who are not aware of these dietary requirements are likely to be deficient in these all-important minerals. This is where healthy foods like the acai berries can help.
In fact, when it comes to nutrient composition, no other food can hold a match to the acai berry. The acai berry has all the vital macronutrients that the body needs, viz. the carbohydrates, the fats and the proteins and it has all the vitamins that the body would require. This is an amazing fruit that has every nutrient and vitamin that the body could ask for. Additionally, the acai berry is quite rich in its concentration of minerals, making it the healthiest food on the planet.
The following is a list of the various mineral constituents present in the acai berry and how they help the body in its significant functions.
Calcium
Calcium is extremely important for mineralization processes of the body. Bones and teeth are the major parts of the body that need to be mineralized so that they can retain their strength. If the mineralization of the bones is inadequate, problems like osteoporosis can occur in the long run, and with faulty mineralization of teeth, problems such as dental fluorosis can occur.
Acai berries have 9 mg of calcium in about 100 g of its weight. The best part is that the calcium present in these berries can be easily absorbed by the body.
Potassium
Potassium is another significant mineral that is present in the acai berries. Among various other tasks, potassium is needed for the proper regulation of the blood flow to various parts of the body. A poor potassium value can lead to blood pressure problems. Also, potassium helps in maintaining proper pH balance of blood, which is an indication of its acidic (or alkaline) value.
Acai berries have a very high amount of potassium; 100 g of it contains about 932 mg of the element potassium.
Zinc
Zinc is necessary for a very important purpose – maintaining the body's immune system, without which it can fall prey to various conditions of ill health such as infections. Zinc is also necessary to maintain the proper conduct of our five senses. It is a diligent caretaker of the body too, spontaneously repairing systems that break down or undergo wear and tear.
There is about 7 mg of zinc in 100 g of acai berries.
Manganese
Manganese is an essential mineral nutrient that the body needs for proper brain function. The element also helps the body for effective coordination between the organs. Proper functioning of the sex organs is also controlled by manganese.
The amount of manganese in 100 g of acai berries is roughly 174 mg.
Apart from these four major minerals, the acai berries also contain phosphorus, iron, copper and sodium.
