Acai berries – superfruit health benefits

ACAI BERRIES

Exactly what are acai berries?

Acai berries (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) have pretty quickly grown in popularity in the past few years. This is generally for the reason that they have at last been recognised in the Western world as being a “superfood” due to their considerable nutritional content. But just what exactly are they and where can you find them?

An acai berry is a little round fruit (roughly 25mm in size), which is located exclusively in swampy regions of the Amazon rainforest (Central and South America). It grows on the large palm trees (açaí palms) that are found there, which can achieve a height in excess of 25 metres. The berries transform from green to dark blue / purple in colour as they ripen and finally look very much like grapes, with the exception that they include a large, inedible seed – in point of fact, they are about 90% pip and just 10% edible fruit.

The history of acai berries

South Americans native to the Amazon have been enjoying the natural health benefits of the superfruit acai berry for quite a while. In actual fact, acai berries are considered as an extremely important food source for 3 traditional Caboclo tribes in the Brazilian Amazon, as it accounts for an enormous part of their diet – up to forty-two per cent of their total food consumption by weight. This fact alone highlights the incredibly high nutrient content of these berries.

What makes them good for you?

As mentioned above, acai berries are now largely accepted as a “superfood” or “superfruit” – titles which recognise their high nutrient content of vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and antioxidants.

They are considered to be helpful for:

 

the immune system: for the reason that acai berries are dark blue / purple in colour and their pigment holds plant chemicals called anthocyanins (powerful antioxidants that are part of the flavonoid family of molecules and are helpful in neutralising unhealthy particles in the body called free radicals).

 

 

helping the heart: this is because acai berries are a great source of protein and beneficial dietary fibre, which are believed to have a shielding influence on the cardiovascular system.

 

 

decreasing cholesterol levels: this is because acai berries are a rich source of Omega 6 and Omega 9 essential fatty acids, which perform a vital role in lessening the levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream. They also incorporate phytosterols, natural compounds which are believed to help to reduce the amount of cholesterol in blood plasma.

 

Just a few factoids about acai berries

Acai berry fact #1:

Acai berries are wild harvested, instead of being farmed, which is important because it means that they are not contaminated with unhealthy pesticides and fertilizers.

Acai berry fact #2:

Acai berries develop in bunches (just like bananas), unlike some other fruits and berries (like cherries), which grow on their own on trees. A normal açaí palm tree can supply between three and eight bunches of acai berries.

Acai berry fact #3:

Acai berries have just one large seed in them and even this part of the fruit can be useful. People have been known to grind the seed and use it as manure for their plants. Some others put it to use to make organic matter for agriculture and livestock food.

Other supposed health rewards of acai berries include their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-mutagenic properties.

I like the sound of acai berries, but where can I find them?

One obvious reason for the heightened popularity of acai berries (other than their tremendous nutrient per calorie ratio of course) is the fact that they are so tasty. Some people describe the taste as a mix of berries and earthy chocolate, whilst others say that it’s a cross between a wild raspberry and grape.

Regrettably, acai berries are not yet widely available in their fresh form. Although they are now widely available in fruit juices in many health food shops and supermarkets, to be certain that you are getting the optimum level of nutrients from this incredible superfruit, many believe that it is preferable to go for a top quality, high strength nutritional supplement, containing pure freeze-dried acai berries. The freeze-drying process (unlike the juicing process) means that less nutrients are lost, giving you and your body maximum benefit.

For max strength (1065mg per capsule), high quality pure acai berries in freeze-dried capsulated form plus added antioxidants (465mg per capsule), click on the link above! Unbeatable value and a unique, highest potency formula that cannot be found anywhere else!