Pitaya vs Acai
Overview:
The acai berry and pitaya contain antioxidants, fiber and lots of vitamins. The biggest difference between pitaya and acai berry is the taste. The Pitaya is naturally slightly sweeter and has a watermelon flavor as opposed to acai which is more like a blackberry. Another difference is the color.
When you compare the two, there isn’t much of a noticeable difference apart from the taste. Doctors say that if they have to pick one, acai is slightly better for you because it has a slightly less sweet taste, which means less sugar. But the difference is so small that it really comes down to personal preference in the Acai vs. Pitaya . The best part is, you don’t really have to choose. If you really want, you can make a bowl half acai and half pitaya for the best of both worlds.
Pitaya:
Pitaya, sometimes known as dragon fruit, is a fruit obtained from the cactus plant species. It is indigenous to Central and South America but is now found all over the world. There are three types of Pitaya. All have leathery, leafy outer skin that can be pink Pitaya, Red Pitaya , or yellow Pitaya. The inside of a pita consists of white or pink flesh. And often, this delicious fruit is compared to kiwi fruit because of its texture and tiny black seeds. Although it has a kiwi-like consistency, it has a sweet taste that is more like a ground watermelon. This fruit is not only eye-catching and quite pleasing to look at especially when blended but it comes with a lot of benefits.
Pitaya Health Benefits
- Pitaya is an excellent source of iron which helps in relieving fatigue. One way to make sure your brain and muscles work the way they should is to make sure you’re getting the right amount of iron.
- Pitaya is high in fiber, and we know that maintaining proper fiber levels in our diet is key for many reasons. Fiber keeps our digestive system working smoothly by helping us maintain or lose weight. It regulates blood sugar levels and can lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.
- If you need to increase your magnesium levels, pitaya is where to start. As it is rich in magnesium, this fruit can be a natural energy booster and plays a role in regulating sodium, potassium and calcium levels in the body. Magnesium is known as a relaxant. This is not only a way to relax your muscles but also your anxiety and nerves. For this reason, it can make a great partner for sleep and muscle recovery.
- Both vitamin B2 and vitamin C are found in pita. And since vitamin B2 is essential in our diet, and our body cannot store it, it is needed every day. And we know vitamin C is mega important when it comes to supporting our immune health. It is also known to protect against cardiovascular disease and is beneficial for eye and skin health.
- Also rich in antioxidants, another benefit of snacking on this super fruit is that it can protect your body against those bad guys we often hear about, free-radicals. Avoid them to keep your cells free from heart disease, cancer and other diseases as well.
So, the pitaya looks beautiful, quite satisfying and quite powerful when it comes to your health.
Acai berry:
The Acai berry comes from a palm tree native to the warm, tropical climates of Central and South America. These trees harbor the heart palm and a vegetable known as the acai berry. With the appearance of a traditional berry with a dark purple-black hue and yellow flesh, these berries are little surprises packed with flavor and super food prowess. Acai berries are usually soaked to soften their hard exterior and then mashed into a deep purple paste. As far as taste, imagine an earthy flavor as you sink your teeth into an unsweetened chocolate and blackberry mixture. And not always commonly known, acai berries have such a short shelf life that they can only be exported in the form of frozen puree, dried powder and pressed juice. Now, a berry for cargo on this gem.
Acai berry Health Benefits:
- One of the most talked about beauty properties of acai berry is that it is full of antioxidants. They counteract free radicals that want to wreak havoc throughout the body. If free radicals are not neutralized by antioxidants, as a result, cells are damaged and diseases set in the body.
- Our body does this cool thing to get rid of toxic cells that no longer serve us. This is called autophagy, and as we age, the process works less efficiently. Want to try and beat the system? Add some acai to your life. Many of the plant compounds and healthy fats found in acai target brain cells to fight oxidation and inflammation, potentially improving your memory and strengthening your brain.
- Acai contains naturally occurring substances called plant sterols that have cholesterol-lowering properties. Lowering your LDL cholesterol also reduces the risk of heart disease. Plant sterols help block cholesterol from being absorbed into your bloodstream. And instead of storing all the cholesterol back up in your body, it goes through the waste. Also, acai is high in anthocyanins, which may provide oxidative stress protection.
- Like its counterpart, this fruit scores high in the fiber category. Acai packs an impressive 14 grams of fiber per 100 grams of frozen puree powder. Therefore, acai can help your digestive system and other bodily systems work as they should.
- These Acai berries are touted as a superfood. They are high in vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and E and include the minerals potassium, magnesium, copper, calcium and zinc. Plus, they’re surprisingly low in sugar but high in (healthy) fat, making them a total knockout compared to many of their other plant-based counterparts.
So, basically, eat your acai berries. They offer wellness in many forms, which has certainly helped them in their reputation in the health food industry.
The difference of Pitaya vs Acai:
At first glance, Pitaya is rich in vitamin C, iron and magnesium. These are essential vitamins and minerals your body needs to repair injuries “vitamin C”, transport oxygen throughout the body “iron”, and keep your heart and bones in tip-top shape “magnesium”.
Acai’s nutritional facts:100 grams of acai contains 15% of your daily “vitamin A”. Vitamin A supports a wide range of body functions and systems, including the immune, respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Acai also contains less sugar, leading to the most noticeable difference between the two fruits. Due to its high sugar content, pitaya is going to be a bit sweeter and is comparable to kiwi in taste and texture. Acai, on the other hand, has a flavor profile reminiscent of blackberry. Of course, both are delicious, especially when served in a bowl with bananas, strawberries, coconut flakes and Nutella.
The Similarities Pitaya vs Acai :
You can’t just be called a superfruit for nothing. Both acai and pitaya are packed with antioxidants that help fight cancer-causing free radicals in the body. The antioxidants found in our delicious pita and acai bowls help prevent cell damage, inflammation and heart disease. Both fruits contain an incredible amount of nutrients that can easily be added to any diet.
So, which is healthier? It entirely depends on which of the above benefits you value the most.
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