Acai Berry

What Are Acai Berries?

Acai berries have rapidly earned themselves a reputation as being one of the most nutrient rich foods available. Research has uncovered a full range of benefits that all lead to optimum health, overall well being and some radical claims. It is being touted as the world's super fruit and rates highly in the list of all super foods. The benefits of the fruit are being heavily backed by medical\nutritional professionals with even Oprah Winfrey putting her support behind what was relatively an unknown fruit outside of South America.

Blueberry sized, a majority of the Acai Berry fruit is made up of a central nut/seed that isn't eaten (like in an avocado), the rest being made up of an edible fruit pulp.

Origins Of The Acai Berry

Found exclusively in the Amazon forest of Brazil, Acai berries have been a strong part of the native diet for many years.

Properties and Nutritional Content Of Acai Berries

• Some say it tastes like a blend of berries and earthy chocolate. Others say the cross between a wild raspberry and grape.
• High Antioxidant activity – 10 times more then red grapes and up to 30 times more then red wine
• Amino Acids
• Essential Fatty Acids - Rich in monounsaturated oleic acid
• Monounsaturated fats
• Dietary Fiber
• Contains Phytosterols, hormones with several healthy benefits
• Enzymes and Cofactors for digestion and nutrient absorption

Claims

• Helps combat anti-aging – This is one of the claimed benefits that have thrust Acai Berries into the spotlight. The anti-aging properties are a result of some of the direct benefits associated with Acai Berries such as reduced inflammation which contributes to aging
• Anti-cancer properties
  > Acai is high in the antioxidant Glutathione which is a strong healing agent. Glutathione plays an important role in carcinogenic detoxification, which suggests that it could help prevent cancer
  > Amazon natives who have incorporated Acai berries in their diets for years have never been subject to cancer
  > The Journal of Food and Agricultural Food Chemistry released the result of a study that announced 85% of test tube leukemia cells self destructed when subject to extracts from Acai berries
  > Human trials of the effect of Acai extracts on human leukemia patients are still yet to be performed

What Are The Benefits Of Acai Berries?

• Boosts energy levels
• Improves digestive function
• Improves alterness
• Anti-bacterial
• Promotes sound sleep
• Reduces anxiety
• Provides all vital vitamins
• Contains most important minerals
• High levels of fibre
• Cleanses and detoxifies
• Anti-mutagenic compounds
• Strengthens the immune system
• Enhances sexual performance and libido
• Promotes glowing healthy skin
• Alleviates diabetes
• Good for the cardiovascular system, Improving circulation and strengthening the heart
• Reduces and regulates cholesterol increasing good lipids in the blood
• Reduces inflammation
• Prevents arterial plaque build-up
• Enhances vision

Acai Berries In The Diet

In Brazil
Acai Berry has been heavily used by Brazilians in diet, particularly native populations living in the Amazon region.  It is eaten throughout Brazil in a variety of forms. Traditionally it is eaten with tapioca, either as a sweet (with honey or sugar) or savory\salty. It is also a common flavor of ice-cream.

Outside Brazil
Acai berries do not keep for long and as such, they cannot be enjoyed outside of Brazil in the same manner.

The pulp or juice is first frozen, freeze-dried or dried before being processed abroad.  It is commonly found in drinks such as sodas and smoothies and other sweets such yoghurts, sorbets and juices. Acai Berries can be freeze-dried, then powdered and introduced to the diet as a supplement. It is common for products to have Acai berries blended in them with other fruits but the percentage of Acai berries and its benefit in such products is questionable.

Buying Acai frozen fruit pulp is the most reliable option as you are more likely to get 100% Acai berries that you can then consume as you see fit. You will need to check health and gourmet food stores to find frozen packed Acai pulp.