In a super cool study published in a science journal called BMJ in 2016, scientists wanted to find out if eating certain colorful plant compounds called flavonoids could help people control their weight. They gathered information from over 124,000 people in the United States and followed them for up to 24 years!
The scientists found that the powerful antioxidants — anthocyanins in particular — helped prevent weight gain. According to the study, every 10 milligrams of anthocyanins you eat — which is about a quarter cup of blueberries — is associated with a quarter pound less weight you gain every four years. Put simply, a cup of blueberries can help you weigh a pound less after four years. This might not seem like much, but it’s significant when considering the average person gains approximately 1 to 3 pounds per year after age 30. So, if you make subtle diet changes (like eating more flavonoid-rich foods) that help you drop a pound after four years, that’s a big swing.
Now, let's break it down in simpler terms. Flavonoids are like the superheroes found in fruits and veggies, giving them their vibrant colors. The scientists discovered that folks who ate more of these flavonoid superheroes, especially in fruits like apples, berries, and peppers, tended to gain less weight over the years. It's like these superheroes are helping our bodies stay in good shape!
But wait, there's a superstar berry called Acai berry, and it's a powerhouse of flavonoids. Picture it as a tiny but mighty warrior fighting for your health. Acai berries have super high levels of these flavonoids, making them even more awesome. Plus, they bring along some cool sidekicks like being anti-inflammatory, which means they can help calm down any body soreness or swelling.
Now, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), a martial art that's all about technique and strength. After a tough BJJ training session, fighters often enjoy acai bowls – a cold fruit paste made from acai berries. Why? Because acai is like a post-training superhero! It's packed with nutritious elements, it's anti-inflammatory (helps with those muscle aches), and it's just downright healthy. So, in a nutshell, the study shows that adding more superhero foods with flavonoids, like acai berries, to our diet can be a tasty way to keep our bodies feeling good and maybe even help us stay fit. It's like having a team of tiny superheroes inside our fruits and veggies, making sure we're healthy and strong!
Ref - https://www.bmj.com/content/352/bmj.i17
