Acai and Antioxidants

Like all richly colored fruits and vegetables, acai berry is loaded with antioxidants. Antioxidants are important for long term health because they counteract the effects of free radicals. And free radicals contribute to all kinds of diseases that shorten our longevity, particularly heard disease and cancer.

So it’s important to get lots of antioxidants in your diet. You can do this by consuming plenty of brightly colored fruits and vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes and even red wine. What makes acai a particularly attractive addition to your diet is that the acai berry packs quite the antioxidant punch. This little pitted berry has twice as much antioxidant power as blueberries, one of the fruits that is well known as one of our best sources.

Acai and Essential Fatty Acids

Essential Fatty acids are what gets commonly referred to as the good fats. It’s the stuff that raises your good cholesterol levels and lowers your bad cholesterol levels. The two main essential fatty acids (EFA) are omega-3 and omega-6. There is also omega-9 as well, but our bodies do produce some omega-9 on their own, so this is not considered an essential source to consume.

Of these EFAs, the one that most of us are deficient in is Omega-3. And deficiencies in essential fatty acids can contribute to cancer, depression, increased risk of heart attacks and other serious health conditions. This is where acai comes in. It is rich in all of the Omega fats, including Omega-3. So an acai supplement can definitely help increase our consumption of Omega-3.

Of course, antioxidants and EFAs aren’t the only reason to consider adding some acai to your diet. Acai is also a great source of fiber, protein and vitamins, particularly the B vitamins. They even have plant sterols which recent research is showing is another health benefit we should try getting more of in our diets.

Since you can’t buy raw acai berries (they don’t ship well, so are processed at the source), the best way to add some to your diet is generally going to be as either a juice or a supplement in the form of a capsule or powder. You can read my review of my favorite acai berry capsule and then get yourself a free bottle to try it for yourself.

When it comes to “Instant Wonder Cures” there were none. That is until now.

Introducing the amazing Acai Berry. This rare berry was recently discovered deep in the rain forests of South and Central America, and Yes, it is the planets new number one super food of all time. Acai Berries first gained popularity in the United States as a stimulant additive to energy drinks and then to smoothies and other such health drinks for it’s high energy qualities.

Acai Berries have at least ten times the amount of antioxidants in them compared to red grapes, they increase your energy levels beyond belief, speed up your metabolism, increase your memory and thought clarity, detoxifies the body of all foreign substances and they lubricate the hair, skin, joints and intestines just to name a few. It also promotes better quality of sleep. In a report produced by Dr. Steve Talcott from the University of Florida on the Acai Berry this year it investigated its effects on human leukemia cells with very strong evidence that the Acai Berry can inhibit cancer cell development in leukemia as well as potential benefits for all common diseases like cognitive disorders, cardiovascular diseases, chronic inflammation, premature aging and age-related visual impairment and even bacterial infections.

As well as all of the above, Acai Berries also normalize the cholesterol levels in the body and will literally have you shedding pounds before your very eyes due to the re normalization of your digestive system. The combination of normal cholesterol levels, a lubricated digestive system, increased energy and a faster metabolism are responsible for such dramatic long term weight losses.

For those of you reading this that have had trouble in the past keeping weight off once you have lost it these Acai Berries will be your new holy grail when it comes to staying slim. The results that people have achieved are truly staggering to say the least. It has featured on most television channels and has even appeared on Oprah.

Acai Berries are the fruit of a rare South American palm tree and have a natural berry/chocolate taste. They are currently available in liquid pulp, tablets and powder form with the tablets being the most cost effective way to get started towards a healthier sexier body. Aside from the obvious benefits of loosing weight Acai Berries also helps stimulate normal blood sugar levels in diabetics and helps to alleviate normal depression. So there you are, you now know the facts of the Acai Berry.

If you want a more energetic healthier you that weighs less you owe it to yourself and your family to try this new super food today. You have absolutely nothing to lose and only a much healthier fulfilling life to gain.

A Little Bit About The Acai Berry

Acai berry is actually a fruit that comes from Euterpe oleracea, or the acai palm tree, which can be found in Central and South America. It looks like a grape, except much smaller, and comes in a purplish-black color.

Several researches and studies have shown that the acai fruit has antioxidant properties and that it can help prevent illnesses brought about by oxidative stress like cancer and heart disease.

What Makes It Beneficial To Your Health

Acai berry contains flavonoids and anthocyanins, which are strong antioxidants that help protect the human body against free radicals that can cause premature aging, tissue damage, and some diseases. A regular intake of acai fruit supplements, together with an antioxidant-rich diet and healthy lifestyle can neutralize free radicals and slow down the aging and disease process.

The anthocyanins in acai are similar to the compounds in red wine that give it its health benefits. Acai berries contain a much higher concentration of anthocyanins, making it a healthier alternative to red wine.

It also contains a lot of vitamins and minerals that help nourish the body. Acai is found to be rich in proteins, Vitamins A, B1 and E, electrolytes, omega fats, and amino acids. Those living in the Amazon forest have long used the acai fruit for their shakes, drinks, and meals. Also, Acai is known to have a low sugar content, making it a better alternative to more sugary fruits.

There are many health benefits of the acai berry. Studies show that the acai fruit pulp has higher concentrations of antioxidant content compared to blackberry, blueberry, strawberry, raspberry and cranberry.

Perhaps the major health benefit of acai is that it helps protect the heart from diseases. Acai is a naturally rich source of dietary fiber and it helps prevent cardiovascular diseases. It also contains omega-6 and -9 fatty acids that help lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Recently, scientists are looking into the weight loss properties of the acai fruit.

Where To Find Acai

Years ago, the acai fruit is actually hard to find, but with the growing demand and interest of the public, producers of acai makes this superfood available to the market. Now one can purchase raw acai berries, acai supplements, and concentrated acai fruit juices in natural grocery stores and health food outlets.

So if you want to be healthy the natural way, one way to do so would be to incorporate acai berry into your system. With its many health benefits, it can be considered as Mother Earth’s most healing fruit, worthy to add in your healthy diet and lifestyle.

Acai has an astounding number of health benefits due to its sizeable amounts of fiber, antioxidants, fatty acids, and proteins. The acai berries require humidity and wetland conditions to grow well. Thousands of palm trees per acre have been recorded in areas of the rainforest.

Acai berries begin as a green color and ripen to a deep purple. Each acai palm stem usually produces four to eight bunches of fruit during the average year with fruits ripening the heaviest in the dry season from July to December.

The acai palm thrives throughout the lowland flood areas where it forms in large groves. In one of nature’s wonders, when one of acai’s stems is cut, more stems will grow back and the cutting encourages more fruit to grow on the remaining stems.

Acai palm is now also the world’s main source of palm hearts. In Brazilian herbal medicine, the oil of the acai berries is used to treat diarrhea; the grated berry rind is used as a topical wash for skin ulcers; and the fruit seeds are crushed and made into a treatment for fevers.

Scientists are currently studying acai to determine just how nutritionally valuable it is. The researchers are discovering ways to use the acai berries to fight such diseases as diabetes, cancer, digestive issues, obesity, blood clotting ailments, obesity, and much more.

Experts are uncertain how much effect antioxidants have on cancer cells in the human body, because factors such as metabolism, nutrient absorption, and other biochemical processes may influence the antioxidants’ chemical activity.

Brazilians have long used acai berries to treat skin conditions and digestive disorders. Current medical research suggests acai products can help consumer’s lower cholesterol, get energized, and lose weight.

We are just beginning to understand all the health benefits of the acai palm. It can also be harvested for its delicious heart-of-palm, which tastes great in salads. In Colombia, where the acai palm grows along the Pacific coast, acai berries are turned into a popular drink.

In a University of Florida study, six different chemical extracts were made from acai fruit pulp and each extract was prepared at seven separate concentration levels. When applied for 24 hours, four of the extracts were shown to kill a significant number of leukemia cells. The UF study shows that research on foods not commonly found or consumed in the United States is extremely important, because it may lead to undiscovered health benefits of food nutrition.

Eating a balanced diet of at least five servings a day of fruits and vegetables is recommended for promoting optimal health. Research on the effects of diet on chronic diseases show an increased consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with decreased risk for many illnesses.

One of a kind, acai berries also has a high concentration of essential acids, specifically monounsaturated oleic acid. This nutrient helps diminish inflammation, which is the leading cause of the detrimental health we experience, as we get older.

It was on a surfing trip to Rio in 2004 that a group of young outdoor enthusiasts first came across the acai berry. The ensemble of friends became hooked after being introduced to the small, round, black berries. On their first trip to Brazil, the adventurers ate the berries for breakfast and lunch, with food and in shakes and smoothies.

Each member of the team felt great, so much so that they returned to Rio the next year. Back at home in the Bay Area of San Francisco, they noticed a craving for something. It wasn’t just the sun, sea and sand of Rio that they were longing for, but the feel-good factor that came from eating the acai berries.

Intrigued, the group began to hunt down information about the acai berry. More than that, they wanted to find a company that would ship the berries to the States. After a large number of phonecalls, the friends found a number manufacturers that were dabbling in freeze drying the puree of acai berries.

The company Pure Acai Products was formed and it is now able to offer this freeze-dried powder in capsule form. Even though the capsules may not be able to provide the taste of acai berries, the many benefits of the berries themselves are there for the taking.

Acai berries have been making headlines around the world for a number of reasons. The berries have been linked to everything from weight loss to anti-aging. The berries are made up of almost 50% fiber, which is known to benefit a person’s digestive system and gastrointestinal tract. This helps to detox a body and remove harmful toxins.

The battle against free radicals is one that we must all face daily. Free radicals are harmful substances that enter the body through pollution, sun rays and when your body breaks down nutrients.

Free radicals attack cells in the body and cause aging. Acai berries contain a high level of antioxidants (mostly vitamins C and E), which help neutralize the free radicals, keeping your cells fresh and healthy and leaving you feeling great. Phytonutrients are a type of antioxidant found in acai berries that help to repair damage to DNA.

Acai berries also contain essential fatty acids, which increase a cell’s ability to retain moisture while keeping cholesterol at bay. The bevy of substances in acai berries acts as a booster for a body’s cells, improving how it functions and makes use of nutrients. Organs become more efficient and a person receives daily boosts of energy, as well as an improved immune system.

Each member of the group of adventurers from the Bay Area is already reaping the benefits of acai supplements. Their bodies are able to ward off illness and they look and feel younger, healthier and full of the fruits of life.

Now known as the world’s number one superfood, acai berries are sadly not available in your local grocery store. As natives of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, the berries cannot be imported because they spoil within a day of harvesting. This is where acaiberrysite.com. The berries can be ordered online in capsule form today.

It was a great year for acai berries in 2008 and the team at Pure Acai Products – converts to the berries themselves – hope that more people will join them in experiencing these life-changing fruits.

The acai berries are a small round berry that are dark purple in color and resemble a smaller sized grape. The dark purple skin, which holds the berry’s health benefits, is often made into a pulp. Brazilian natives use this pulp as a puree that can be eaten by itself or in a variety of other wonderful foods. There is a lot more in store to discover what makes this little berry from Brazil taste so good and why it is healthy for our bodies.

In Brazil, the berries are harvested from acai palms as food. In a study of three traditional native populations in the Amazon, the acai palm was described as the most important plant because the fruit makes up to 42% of the total food diet and is economically valuable to the region. In order for the Brazilian farmers not to lose any more of the depleted forest cover from over harvesting, they are required to reforest up to 30% of their farmed land.

The majority of the population in Brazil enjoys eating the acai fruit. It is reported the people consume more acai juice than milk. Although it’s popularity only grew in the western world around 1990, the powerful punch this berry packs has been known in its native land for generations. Acai berries have ten times the antioxidant benefits of grapes and double that of blueberries.

The berry is a very tasteful fruit, combining the usual berry taste you would expect with the delicate sweet hint of chocolate. They contain essential omega oils, proteins, minerals, fibers, and vitamin E. Omega oils have shown the ability to raise good cholesterol and reduce bad cholesterol. The fatty acid ratio in acai is similar to that of olive in reducing heart disease.

The main benefits of acai are:

- Acai has more proteins than an average egg.
- The berries have essential minerals like Vitamins B, C, and E.
- They include minerals iron, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium.
- Acai has a high concentration of fiber content.
- The berry’s amino acid contributes to proper muscle regeneration.
- Acai berries improve mental focus to enhance sleep.

Much research is being done to help in finding out more about acai berries. As the berries have practically just arrived in the west, we can look closer at the lives of the Brazilian tribesmen to learn the benefits the natives discovered hundreds of years ago.

In a 2006 University of Florida study, acai berries’ antioxidants were studied to test the effects on healthy human participants. The university was one of the first institutions outside Brazil to commission a study, and they determined how well the compounds affected blood pressure, and were absorbed into the blood stream, effecting good cholesterol levels as opposed to bad.

With a vast array of products being offered within the past five years, researchers and consumers are finding out more about acai berries. Before consumption and research was limited due to the unavailability of information and product in many parts of the world. Now we have plenty of opportunities to add this worthwhile fruit to our diets.

Acai Berry Is A Natural Product

The very first advantage of using acai berry is that it is a natural ingredient. In fact, you can buy acai berry from the open market as it is a fruit. Found deep in the Amazon forests, the acai berry fruit is considered a natural product and is therefore free from any harmful side effects. As compared to other fat reducing pills and related “over the counter” medications, acai berries are perhaps the most sought after ingredients as they are free from any harmful side effects. Hence, anyone can use it, regardless of his/her age or ailment.

It Is A Fast Acting Formula

The second biggest advantage of using an acai berry formula for loosing weight is the speed in which it works. In simple words, the acai berries are blessed with a special ingredient which slice your body fat. It is much the same way as a knife slices through a ripe tomato. While most fat loss products take weeks and even months to show their effect, the wonder berries from acai slice your fat the moment they enter your body. Hence, people have been known to loose as much as 34 pounds in a single month. It is undoubtedly a miracle formula.

It Is Affordable In Nature

The third advantage of acai berries is that it is an inexpensive form of shedding excessive fat. If in case you are a working mother who does not have extra money to spare, the berries are the best solution to resolve your weighty issues. At the same time, you can hope to buy acai berry without burning a hole in your pocket. It is affordable, long lasting, fast in action and inexpensive. In simple words, it is a perfect solution to your weight related problems.

It Can Be Used On A Daily Basis

The acai berry formula was formulated by a team of expert nutritionists who worked night and day in trying to device a wonder drink through which you could hope to reduce your body fat in a drastic manner. Hence, even though you may have achieved your goals in terms of weight loss, you can always go ahead and continue to use this drink on a daily basis. The benefit of this drink is that if you continue to use it on a regular basis, you can hope to maintain your lost weight for ever. In a nutshell, the berries from acai are like any other fruit and can be used as a part of your daily food. This, I believe, is the easiest and the most effective way of staying in shape throughout your life.

It Has Been Advocated By Dr. Oz

One of the main reasons why Dr. Oz recommended the usage of acai berries was because he had himself administered this magical formula in curing numerous weight loss enthusiasts. At the same time, Oprah Winfrey too advocated the cause to buy acai berry and insisted that it had helped millions of people the world over in loosing weight the natural way.

What makes acai berries good? Research showed that acai berries contain the following properties: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and cardiovascular benefits. The antioxidant property of acai berry is 30 times greater than red grapes, and 10 to 20 times more anthocyanins than red wine. That makes acai berries more than 200% anti-oxidant than any other fruit and vegetable known; and the best known source of antioxidant so far. A university of Florida study in 2006 showed that the antioxidant property of acai berries destroyed cultured human cancer cells. Further studies revealed that it triggers a self-destruct response in up to 86% of tested leukemia cells.

Acai berries provide a good source of Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, C and Vitamin E. It also contain good amount of fiber that help promotes healthy digestive system and reduce the risks of developing some types of cancer.  In Brazil, acai berries are used to treat digestive disorder and some skin condition. Essential fatty acids; such as omega 3, 6 and 9; are also found which contribute to low incidence of cardiovascular disease for people who consume acai berries as part of their diet.

Acai berries are not recommended to be eaten directly. It should be processed first.  To maximize the full nutritional benefits acai berry, it should be freeze dried once it is picked. It loses its nutritional value every minute after picking the fruit. This is one quality aspect of different acai berry products, the method and means of freeze drying the fruit pulp of acai berries. 

Acai berry products have proliferated in the market in different forms; drinks, food supplements, and diet pills. They all differ in quality based on the amount of acai berry concentration in their product, as well as the method and technology used in processing them. The amount of nutrition incorporated on each product depends so much on the way they are processed. Be wary of poor quality products, massed-produce for the sake of profit. Make sure that the source of your acai berry products are verified companies well known for quality.

Read any Acai Berry research and you will find pages after pages detailing the numerous benefits of Acai berries. The natives of the Brazil rainforest have always known the many health benefits of this fruit. They have been enjoying the benefits for centuries. Researchers have attributed the longevity and strong immune systems for nearly every native of Brazil mainly because of the Acai fruit.

Acai Berry juice, supplements and energy drinks have now become quite popular in the United States. Recently the Acai products were featured on Oprah as one of the top super foods for anti-aging treatment. Dr. Nicholas Perricone, bestselling author and anti-aging expert has called this berry the â??Number one super food in the world.â?

Acai has Rich Nutritional Content

Is this stretching it a bit too far? But when you look at its nutrient rich content and its many health benefits, you say â??noâ??. There is no doubt that it is one of the best super foods in the world. Acai berry fruit contains Vitamin B1, B2, B3, C, E and A. It is also a rich source of iron, potassium, phosphorus and calcium. Besides that it also contains essential fatty acids such as Omega 6 and Omega 9 and all the amino acids. It contains more protein than an average egg.

Acai Berry research has shown that Acai contains 33 times more antioxidant than red wine grapes. When compared to other juice products like Mangosteen, Wolfberry and Noni, Acai products contain 6 times more antioxidants. In fact, no other fruit or berry even comes close to matching the rich nutritional and antioxidant content of Acai berry.

Helps Your Body Fight Cancer

Acai berry research has also shown that the fruit has anti-cancerous properties. A research by University of Florida in 2006 established that the antioxidants present in the Acai fruit destroy cultured human cancer cells. Though one should not consider Acai as a cancer cure, the high level of antioxidants present in the berries do help your body fight this deadly disease.

Aids in Weight Loss

Researches have also shown that when combined with proper diet and exercise, the Acai berry fruit is very good for weight loss. These berries contain Omega fatty acids that help boost our metabolism. Furthermore, Acai also contains a lot of fiber that helps promote healthy digestion and cleanses the body of fat. Since Acai has lot of fiber, it keeps you feeling full. When you are not always craving for food, you tend to lose weight faster.

Increases Energy and Stamina

Acai Berry research has shown that it helps increase our energy and stamina. The natives of Brazil have already known this for hundreds of years, but we are only finding about it now. However, it is better late than never. Acai is easily available today in many forms, so enjoy its many benefits.

For additional information or to experience the benefits of Acai, please visit  www.acaiberriesforbetterhealth.com