Hidden in the mysterious depths of the Amazon are said to be found natural cures to several of the modern man’s ailments and because of the incredible size of the Amazonian rain forest most of these natural cures remain hidden, waiting for someone to come across and discover their wonderful properties.  Today we’re going to talk about one of those natural miracle cures that we have been lucky enough to find, that cure is called Acai.

Acai grows at the top of many palm trees in the Amazon basin and it has been used for many purposes such as promoting cardiovascular health, improving energy but most importantly it has recently been discovered that this particular fruit is able to do a lot more than that.  Let’s take a look at some of the compounds and natural ingredients that are found in this fruit.

Compounds

– High fiber with a low glycemic index.

– 10 to 30 times more anthocyanins than the concentration found in red wine.  This high concentration of anthocyanins delivers equivalent levels of energy in a healthy manner which doesn’t rely on caffeine and a concentration of sugar to produce this effect.  Most energy drinks in the market not only contain caffeine and sugar but several other chemicals that may cause an unbalance which is felt as a jittery burst and then a sudden crash.

– More than 16 types of antioxidants and phytonutrients

– A fatty acid compound similar to that of olive oil, this particular compound is beneficial to the skin.

– Several traces of macro-minerals and compounds which help regulate the levels of cholesterol

The Acai berry contains both omega-6 and omega-9 chemical compounds which control and regulate levels of cholesterol, controlling cholesterol levels can help prevent cardiovascular complications such as stroke and heart attacks.

Fatty acid as well as omega-3 can have a positive impact when it comes to people who are concerned about their age and their skin appearance, these chemical compounds and ingredients that are naturally found in this fruit and help slow down the skin aging process.

Testing Acai – Findings

A recent study conducted by the University of Florida revealed what is believed to be the most important benefit of the antioxidant mixture found in this particular fruit; an extract of the Acai berry triggered what is believed to be a self-destructive sequence amongst 86% of the leukemia cells tested, these are very encouraging results.

Media Coverage

Not only has Acai shown to have properties capable of treating cellular diseases but it also has been successfully used in order to create better dietary supplements and help people lose weight.  Because of the many health-related benefits that this fruit provides it has been featured as one of the super foods on the Oprah Winfrey show.

Many other health related TV programs have covered the breakthrough that Acai represents for people who want to loose weight in a more natural and controlled way as well as for those who are interested in the medical benefits that the antioxidants found in this Brazilian fruit can provide.

Acai Berry Powder 500

The Acai (pronounced ah-SAH-ee) berry is the latest super antioxidant food sweeping the world. This small round fruit is produced by the Acai Palm which is native to Central and South America floodplains and swamps. The fruit is rich in anthocyanin / anthocyanidin phytonutrients which are members of the flavonoid class of antioxidants. The dark purple berry, which tastes something like a blend of berries and chocolate, supposedly contains 10 to 30 times the flavonoids contained in red wine. The pulp is also rich in B vitamins, minerals, protein, Vitamin E, caffeine, fiber and essential fatty acids (such as Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9). This wonder food is purported to fight cancer, control cholesterol, increase energy, improve your sex life and help you lose weight. The University of Florida is studying its cancer fighting properties and Dr. Nicholas Perricone has recommended it as one of his “top 10 superfoods for age-defying beauty” on Oprah Winfrey’s talk show, and in an article in “Oprah” magazine and also in his book “The Perricone Promise”. This little berry has been touted as one of the most nutritious and healthy foods in the world.

The studies being conducted at the University of Florida have determined that the Brazilian berry destroys cultured leukemia cancer cells. This study was not intended to show whether acai berries could prevent leukemia in people as it was only a cell-culture model. This is not a unique effect as other fruits such as grapes, guavas and mangoes contained antioxidant products that also destroyed cultured cancer cells. A lot of claims are being made but research has just started on the acai berry. Another study is underway to investigate the effects of acai’s antioxidants on human subjects.

The acai berry is a small dark blue fruit, similar in size to a blueberry or small grape but with less pulp, that grows in clusters or panicles of approximately 800 berries on Acai palm trees. The tribes of the Amazon knew of the health properties of this fruit for centuries and traditionally pulped it to make wine. The berries contain a thin layer of edible pulp surrounding a large seed. These palms are extremely prevalent in the floodplain areas of the Amazon River and are easy to cultivate as a replacement tree in areas where the rain forest has been destroyed. The slender palms grow from 40 to 80 feet tall and have leaves up to 10 feet long. Each palm can produce more than 50 pounds of berries annually. The harvesting of this powerful antioxidant rich product has become a major industry in Brazil and employs up to 30,000 people on a daily basis to harvest and process the product. Unfortunately the fruit deteriorates rapidly after harvesting (active properties can disappear after 24 hours) and so it is restricted to being eaten in the growing region or being processed and shipped as juice or frozen pulp. This industry has become an economic and environmentally-friendly alternative to unsustainable harvesting of hearts of palm, logging and conversion of the rain forest to farming or ranching. During the last decade in Brazil, acai has become a major food fad and Brazilians consume the frozen pulp alone or in yogurt, ice cream, smoothies, drinks, fruit or as a cereal topping. The frozen pulp tastes like a blueberry sorbet or ice cream with a hint of chocolate.

Acai can be difficult to find outside of South America although the frozen pulp and juices are starting to be imported into the US and Canada. Your best chance of finding the product is in health food stores or the health food section of your supermarket. Make sure that the acai berry is wild harvested and quickly frozen to retain its maximum nutrient value. Also in the US, acai is being sold as an ingredient in a number of beverages, and as frozen fruit that can be added to home-made smoothies as well as in health food extracts and supplements.

Click Here To Try Out The Acai Berries Diet For Free

Most have been highly localized and, until recently, not readily available to the public. Times are changing. The opening of world markets has made these rare products more widely available.

Consumers concerned with health and wellness are looking for natural foods that control free radicals, contain antioxidants, taste great and are organic. Health conscious individuals look to foods ones containing high vitamin and mineral content as well as high Omega and essential fatty acids. Exotic plants, fruits and berries provide low calorie, great tasting supplements with major health benefits. Let’s explore a few of these “superfoods.”

Fertile coastal regions of South and Central America harbor a wonderful palm tree known as the Acai Palm (pronounced asa’i) with excellent nutrients to be reaped. The palm hearts from the saplings of this species (Euterpe oleracea) are used widely in salads. They are very similar to those so common in oriental cooking. The large fronds of older palms are used to make roofing materials, clothing and fan blades.

The most important part of this palm, however, is the humble 1 inch round fruit. This berry looks like an oversized blueberry and has been described by many to taste like blackberries with a hint of chocolate. Yum! The Acai berry has a thin, dark purple skin and an extremely juicy inside, much like a grape. It surrounds a large, hard seed similar to that found in an olive. Acai berries are used locally as additions to cereals, eaten raw, or used in juices and teas. Berries shipped outside of local regions are generally available as ingredients in healthy juices.

This berry contains Omega-6, Omega-9 and nearly all other essential fatty acids that decrease incidents of cancer and cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks. Other benefits include a bolstered immune system and general good health. In addition, one serving of Acai contains protein equivalent to one egg.

Another important emerging berry is the Goji, or Chinese Wolfberry, which has been considered both a nutrimental food and a medicinal plant in Asian cultures for over 1900 years. The Goji berry is dried and eaten as a snack food or used in cooking. The Tibetan or Himalayan Goji is the most sought after and claimed to be picked only in the wild.

With the emerging emphasis on organically grown foods, China has implemented an organic growing program. Commercially grown Goji berry prices are beginning to come down while quality remains high. This makes them an excellent choice for people on the go who want to have healthy snacks at hand.

The pomegranate is probably the ugliest fruit on the outside and the most beautiful on the inside. The leathery red/brown outside holds small fruits resembling fields of rubies mixed with honeycombed inner passages. Many a child has sat for hours extracting the jewel-like seeds for their amazing flavor. A native of the tropical regions, this fruit is probably the best known of the exotic fruits. Its antioxidant properties have taken a back seat to its wonderful taste. Pomegranate juice tastes a bit like sweet ripe cherries, and the concentrated juice has been widely used in tropical drinks. Only recently have studies been done that show the incredible powers of this fruit in reducing health risks.

All fruits, berries and vegetables have great nutritional and food value. For people on-the-go who want to maintain the 5-8 servings of antioxidant foods per day, exotic berries, including Acai berry supplements, are a good snack choice. They contain up to five times more antioxidants than any other fruit or vegetable, including much touted prunes and raisins.

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