Acai Berry Overview

The acai berry has been well known for years in Brazil, but it is only recently become popular in America. Scientists, nutritionists and countless media outlets are all espousing the health benefits of its superior nutritional content.

The fruit is only 10 percent of the actual berry with the other 90 percent made up of the seed or pit. When the pulp is separated from the seed a thick edible puree is produced.

The Wall Street Journal published an article stating that in health bars all over the country, the acai berry is replacing wheatgrass as the beverage of choice. It has become the newest addition to weight loss regiments with scientific evidence proving that several key ingredients in the acai berry suppress the appetite, build muscle tone and raise metabolism.

This newfound popularity of the acai berry has been reinforced by best-selling author, Dr. Nicholas Perricone, in his book “The Perricone Promise.” He is known for his anti-aging expertise and in appearances on TV shows such as Oprah even declared it the “#1 super food in the world.”

This may seem like an exaggeration but research studies are revealing that this tiny berry is actually packed with extraordinary amounts of antioxidants. The acai berry is now credited with containing the most optimal nutritional value of any known fruit.

The acai berry (pronounced “ah-sigh-ee”) grows in the Amazon Rainforest. Grape sized and small, the berry has been harvested by natives and used as part of their diet for centuries. Unlike some sources of antioxidants the acai berry actually has a delicious taste that has been described as a blend of berries and chocolate.

Skeptics may well consider the acai berry as being too good to be true and in some ways this is an accurate assumption. Because they are extremely perishable and spoil within a day of being picked they are not freshly available in our local grocery stores.

Conversely, profitable opportunities abound now for large companies to process and package it in bottle form. Products should be purchased with caution as some are produced in such a way that there is little left of the nutritional qualities of fresh acai.

Quality is vital for the acai berry to maintain effective levels of antioxidants so the body can benefit in the following ways:

• Immune system support
• Improves digestion
• Fights aging and inflammation
• Protects against cancer and disease
• Lowers blood pressure
• Aids weight loss
• Increases libido
• Increase energy and stamina
• Reduces pain and soreness
• Promotes healthy sleep

The USDA has devised a method of measuring antioxidant levels in different foods. It is called the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. (ORAC) The list above shows the multi-benefits of the acai berry that other fruits do not possess. Information on this site will continue to impart all aspects of acai studies and research.