Archive for the ‘What is Acai Berry?’ Category

The Acai Palm Tree: Brazil’s best kept secret

Thursday, February 5th, 2009

The acai palm tree is one of eight palm species classified under the genus Euterpe. Pronounced “ah-sigh-ee”, acai grows abundantly in the floodplains and swamps of Central and South America where the tropical climate is friendly to this blackish purple drupe.

Acai palm trees are grown for their fruits and hearts. While it has been a staple food for many years in Brazil, the acai berry has become extremely popular in the US in recent years that global demand has gone through the roof.

Similar to grapes, the acai palm tree produces berries in bunches, going from a green color to a dark rich purple as they ripen. Acai fruits are round, with a single large seed enclosed in a fibrous pulp covered with an oily skin coating. One acai palm tree can produce four to eight bunches a year, with each bunch weighing up to 6 kilograms.

For hundreds of years, Brazilians have been using oil from the acai fruit to treat diarrhea. They also add shredded acai rind to topical wash solutions for skin ulcers. In Peru, acai seeds are ground, toasted and applied to fevers. In Colombia, the acai, also called naidi, is a very popular gastronomic delight.

Along the banks of the Amazon River, natives consume acai like water. They extract the juice by first soaking the fruit in water. Once the skin is softened, the acai is squeezed and strained to produce a dark purple liquid. Acai extracts are consumed as fresh fruit juice or added to ice cream, liquor and sweet snacks. Amazonians drink up to 2 liters of acai juice per day.

From the time of tribal wars among Amazon warriors to modern Rio de Janeiro, juice from the acai berry has been and remains an important part of South American diet.

The secret behind those beautiful Brazilian bodies is bunched up there in the acai palm tree.

Our Recommendation:

 

Acai Reviews

- 100% Pure Acai Berry Juice (best value)

 

Acai Customer Reviews

- Acai Berry Diet Pills (free trial offer)


What’s Inside the Brazilian Acai Fruit

Wednesday, February 4th, 2009

The Oprah Winfrey Show caused a massive furor around the Brazilian acai fruit. Ever since Dr. Nicholas Perricone talked about the acai berry on Oprah, this 2-centimeter purple fruit has sparked interest in every health-conscious American. What exactly is inside this berry that’s being hailed as the number one superfood on the planet?

Staggering antioxidant and anthocyanin levels
The antioxidant content of the Brazilian acai fruit is 10 times than that of grapes and twice that of blueberries. Anthocyanins in acai are up to 30 times more than that of red wine. The ORAC score for 100 grams of freeze dried acai is over 50,000 – a number that no other fruit or vegetable can even come close to.

A complete range of vitamins and minerals
The acai berry is a rich source of vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and E. Potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc are also present in the acai fruit.

Healthy unsaturated fat
Almost 50% of the Brazilian acai fruit is fat – and 74% of that is Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9 fatty acid that’s good for your heart.

Strong fiber profile
For every 100 grams of freeze dried acai, your body receives around 14 grams of fiber.

Excellent source of amino acids and plant sterols

Acai contains 19 different amino acids, supplying your body with more than 8 grams of protein for every 100 grams of acai. Three plant sterols that maintain a healthy heart and digestive system can be found in the acai berry: beta-sitosterol, campesterol and sigmasterol.

The Brazilian acai fruit is 90% seed and 10% pulp. Only the pulp and skin are edible, but some unscrupulous manufacturers are adding crushed seeds to their acai products. Stay away from any acai drink, capsule or powder that has seeds in it.

Our Recommendation:

 

Acai Reviews

- 100% Pure Acai Berry Juice (best value)

 

Acai Customer Reviews

- Acai Berry Diet Pills (free trial offer)


Fighting Obesity is One of Acai Health Benefits

Monday, January 26th, 2009

The Amazonian palm berry called acai has been dubbed the number one superfood for its rich blend of vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Among the most important acai health benefits is its ability to fight obesity.

Acai is rich in dietary fiber – a plant substance that facilitates food movement in your digestive track. Fiber absorbs water and aids in the elimination of solid and liquid waste from your stomach and intestines.

However, Americans consume less than 50% of the dietary fiber levels required for good health. In fact, with the youth’s alarming dependence on fast food, this value dips to as low as 20%, heavily contributing to the obesity crisis in the US.

Fiber from fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, seeds and nuts is now known to reduce the risk of some of the world’s most prevalent diseases – diabetes, high blood cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, and gastrointestinal disorders such as constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, hemorrhoids, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, and colon cancer.

Legumes, wheat bran, prunes, Asian pears, raspberries and blackberries are among the most fiber-rich foods on the planet. But sitting at the top of the list is the acai berry, which, according to two research groups, contains 25-44% of dietary fiber in its pulp.

Acai berries are also a good source of amino acids. These protein molecules supply your body with raw energy needed for brisk walking and cardio workouts. Acai contains more than a dozen different kinds of amino acids, making it the best single source of this important building block.

Whereas obesity is a result of accumulating bad fat, acai berries counter this with a generous amount of good fat – the same good fat found in fish oil. Omega fatty acids found in acai negate the effects of bad cholesterol while maintaining good cholesterol.

Make no mistake – obesity can kill you! It can lead to stroke, diabetes, cancer, fatty liver disease, osteoarthritis, back pain, migraines, dementia and depression. The tiny acai berry is no substitute for regular exercise and proper diet. It is not a quick fix to all your health problems. But a heaping helping of acai health benefits can be your first big step towards keeping fit.

Our Recommendation:

 

Acai Reviews

- 100% Pure Acai Berry Juice (best value)

 

Acai Customer Reviews

- Acai Berry Diet Pills (free trial offer)


Why You Should Never Buy Acai in the Supermarket

Friday, January 16th, 2009

You are able to purchase acai juice and other acai products on the Internet, but should you purchase it at your local supermarket?

Acai is a grape-like berry that is found deep in the Amazon forests. Labeled as the number one superfood, acai berries have the highest and richest amounts of antioxidants a natural food-product can contain. They are known to provide significant health benefits to those who consume its extracts in liquid, pill, or powder form.

Although acai products are generally purchased on the Internet, some local grocery stores and supermarkets stock on frozen berries and even frozen concentrate. Beware of products that claim to be “fresh” acai berries. The acai fruit is so fragile it has to be processed within 24 hours of being picked, so transporting it fresh is close to impossible.

Whether you’re buying online or from the grocer, it is imperative to look for these important things to ensure that you are getting the highest quality acai:

1. Freeze dried and not spray dried acai. Freeze-drying preserves important nutrients while spray drying, which uses high heat, strips the acai of some of its nutritional value.

2. Maltodextrin, dextrose, soy and other fillers. Many manufacturers use additives when extracting the acai pulp from the large berry seed. Although they may not be harmful to your health, they are not supposed to be mixed with the acai powder.

3. Sweeteners such as sugar or fructose. Acai has a great chocolatey flavor on its own, so sugar is an ingredient you shouldn’t be taking in with your acai juice, especially if you are trying to lose weight.

4. ORAC test results. One of the major benefits of acai is its high level of antioxidants, and the ORAC rating will indicate the amount of antioxidants in the acai juice after it is bottled.

5. Chemical preservatives. Acai is a natural health supplement not to be mixed with chemicals and artificial flavors.

Add these five tips to your checklist when making your acai purchase.

Our Recommendation:

 

Acai Reviews

- 100% Pure Acai Berry Juice (best value)

 

Acai Customer Reviews

- Acai Berry Diet Pills (free trial offer)


The 5 Best Antioxidant Foods

Monday, January 12th, 2009

In order to live a healthier lifestyle, one must eat a diet rich in high antioxidants.

Everywhere you go today, you hear that eating a diet rich in high-antioxidant foods is the best path to take in order to embrace a healthier lifestyle. By eating several portions of fruits and vegetables a day, your body will work at its peak, conditional level. Many people want to know which foods are the highest in antioxidants, and we’ve supplied you with a few suggestions of the five best antioxidant foods.

Berries are the king of antioxidants. Acai, blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries are all very high in antioxidants with acai berries being at the top. The richer in color the berry appears, the higher the level of antioxidants. Acai berries, as well as the others, contain Vitamins A, B, C, and E that help improve a person’s immune system.

Grapes are another good source of antioxidants. It is suggested to consume them fresh or in juice rather than in wine for obvious reasons. Look to eat a grape that is redder in color than white for they have higher nutritional levels than lighter shades of grapes.

Broccoli is among the highest-rated vegetable when it comes to nutrients and antioxidants. It is a cruciferous vegetable that has high levels of Vitamin C and calcium, even more so than oranges and milk. Many people are surprised to learn that broccoli contains many disease-fighting chemicals that have been known to lower the risk of many types of cancer. It’s best to eat broccoli raw or steamed to take full advantage of its nutritious properties.

Garlic is an odorous, multi-faceted antioxidant that people have been using to flavor their meals for years. Garlic contains selenium, iodine, calcium, zinc, Vitamins A, B, and C, and many more beneficial minerals and nutrients. It has been used throughout the centuries as an antibiotic, a catalyst for decreasing blood pressure and cholesterol, and even a preventative measure to cancer.  

Tomatoes have been labeled as the most ingenious anti-cancer food due to the lycopene that they contain. Lycopene has been known to be a more powerful disease fighter than beta carotene or Vitamin E. Tomatoes can be consumed in any form to reap the benefits of their nutritious value.

By incorporating these high-antioxidant foods into your diet, your health will soar to maximum capacity. Remember to eat fresh foods as often as possible and you will feel the benefits of making decisions that can improve your health.

 

Our Recommendation:

 

Acai Reviews

- 100% Pure Acai Berry Juice (best value)

 

Acai Customer Reviews

- Acai Berry Diet Pills (free trial offer)


How Adding Antioxidants to Your Diet Can Improve Your Health

Friday, January 9th, 2009

There are many diet recommendations thrown at us daily, and it’s hard to figure out what to believe. However, one thing is proven: adding antioxidants to your diet can improve your health.

It is understandable how some may become confused with the many diet recommendations that are thrown at them daily. Some suggest lowering your intake of carbohydrates, and some say eat only protein, but what we know and believe is that the best way to improve your health through diet is to include more antioxidants.

Antioxidants are substances that protect or repair your body from free radicals that insist on aging you early and allowing certain ailments to affect you more. You can be exposed to free radicals if you smoke or are around others that smoke, if you’re exposed to pollution or smog, and even if you’ve been exposed to radiation through x-rays. By including more antioxidants in your diet, you allow your body that extra boost it needs when fighting off these free radicals, thus making you feel and look healthier.

Vitamins A, C and E, beta-carotene, and lycopene and are a few, of many, antioxidants that will aid your body in the fight against free radicals. You can find these antioxidants in foods like acai berries, blueberries, broccoli, tomatoes, and carrots. Many of these foods are very rich in antioxidants, with acai berries the number one superfood to date. Acai berries are found in the tree tops of the Amazon forests, and are best consumed in a liquid form. The concentration of the berry extract is much higher than if you ingested it in pill or powder form. They are not to be eaten picked fresh from a tree. They need to be processed before consuming and can cause health issues if eaten before processing.

A well-balanced diet is the best way to fill your body with all the natural antioxidants it needs. Consuming more fruits and vegetables is key to achieving this, and preparing them is just as essential. Raw or fresh fruits and veggies provide the highest levels of nutrients, and they don’t have to be distasteful to be good for you. Educating yourself is the best way to remain healthy, and eating better will have you feeling better.

Ready to add antioxidants to your diet?

 

Our Recommendation:

 

Acai Reviews

- 100% Pure Acai Berry Juice (best value)

 

Acai Customer Reviews

- Acai Berry Diet Pills (free trial offer)


Highest ORAC Value Food

Thursday, January 8th, 2009

By eating high-ORAC foods, the aging process will slow in both brain and body.
 
ORAC, or oxygen radical absorbance capacity, is a way to measure antioxidant levels in certain foods. It was developed by a doctor who studied the aging effect and found that by eating plenty of high ORAC foods, the aging process appeared to slow in both the brain and body. After looking at studies done on the average person’s diet, most people eat considerably less ORAC units than the daily recommendation. This inevitably will lead to chronic illnesses and disease.

The food highest on the ORAC list is the acai berry. This amazing berry is packed full of nutrients, minerals, and essential antioxidants. Consuming the antioxidant supplement in liquid form provides you with the highest concentration of the acai and is the freshest and easiest way for the body to absorb it.

Other food products that are high on the ORAC scale are ground cinnamon, red kidney beans, pecans, blueberries, and tomatoes. These fruits, vegetables, and legumes are just a very brief list of the numerous foods that are high in antioxidants. However, the higher they’re listed on the ORAC scale, the higher level of antioxidant capacity they contain. It is also suggested that you get your daily recommendation of antioxidants from natural foods over supplements. Acai juice is a good food source since it is 100% pure in nature and very high in antioxidants.

Anyone that increases their intake of fruits and vegetables that are high in the ORAC scale will find themselves in better health and feeling great. Adding a product like acai berry juice can only intensify your body’s optimal free-radical fighting process. You will find this great acai juice a tasty little surprise that gives you a kick with the extra energy it stimulates in your body. So live a healthier lifestyle by creating a diet rich in high ORAC foods and using acai berry juice and you’ll be feeling younger before you know it.
 

Our Recommendation:

 

Acai Reviews

- 100% Pure Acai Berry Juice (best value)

 

Acai Customer Reviews

- Acai Berry Diet Pills (free trial offer)


Health Benefits of Acai

Monday, January 5th, 2009

More and more people today are realizing the enormous amount of health benefits that acai berries provide when taken regularly.

Acai is an amazing fruit from the wetlands of the Amazon region. It is said to be loaded with antioxidants that can stimulate better health for those who take it. You can find it in powder, capsule, and liquid form, but to get the best results from the berry, it is highly recommended to drink acai berry juice.

Acai berry juice has higher and most potent nutritional benefits than acai in powder and pill forms. It is the freshest and most delicious way to ingest this miraculous berry, and you’ll soon begin to feel the difference in your energy levels and possibly, even experience some weight loss.

If you’ve done your research on acai health benefits, then you already know that these berries contain Omega fatty acids, amino acids, fiber, as well as many other vitamins and minerals that promote good health.

People have been known to drink acai berry juice for its anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering, and premature aging combatant properties. This berry has even been known to improve the cardiovascular and digestive systems.

It’s no wonder why acai berries and acai berry juice have been called the number one superfood. The many benefits from this nutritional antioxidant are a big draw for folks that choose to take a more natural path towards improved health.

There are many sites from which you can purchase acai juice on the Internet. And you’ll be surprised at how many manufacturers and distributors sell products that are diluted or made from concentrates that don’t maintain the same amount of acai.

Our Recommendation:

 

Acai Reviews

- 100% Pure Acai Berry Juice (best value)

 

Acai Customer Reviews

- Acai Berry Diet Pills (free trial offer)


Acai Juice: The New Fountain of Youth

Friday, December 19th, 2008

For those of you who wish to fight against premature aging due to free radicals like pollution and cigarette smoke, then you may want to give acai berry juice a try.

Acai berry juice is loaded with high levels of antioxidants like Vitamin C and E, and contains many more vitamins and nutrients that can only make you healthier. Many of the harmful free radicals that cause damage to our bodies can be easily fended off by consuming acai berry juice daily.

You will find a number of juice drinks that assist in the fight of free radicals and are loaded with antioxidants as well, but you won’t find any that can compare to the acai fruit. Acai extracts are far more potent than noni juice or mangosteen, and if taken regularly, can help fight off the flu and colds. It is now considered the number one superfood out there, and the high concentrated levels of nutrients and vitamins help fight and improve other conditions as well.

Aging, heart disease, high cholesterol, insomnia, skin problems, and digestive problems are just some of the ailments that acai berries can aid. The omega fats, calcium, amino acids, and enzymes found in the berries make it possible to feel an improvement when having any of these conditions. The berries themselves are low in sugar, so they are safe for any diabetic to use, and have no side effects that can be harmful to your health.

Acai juice is recommended over any powder or pill form of the berry. The reason for this is that there are higher levels of antioxidants in the extracts, and therefore, you will get more for your money.

To experience the full benefits of acai, take only juice drinks that are made of 100% organic acai extracted from the heart of the Amazon.

Our Recommendation:

 

Acai Reviews

- 100% Pure Acai Berry Juice (best value)

 

Acai Customer Reviews

- Acai Berry Diet Pills (free trial offer)


Healthy Points to Ponder About the Acai Berry

Thursday, December 4th, 2008

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.

Health conscious individuals look to foods ones containing high vitamin and mineral content as well as high Omega and essential fatty acids. Exotic plants like the acai berry and other fruits provide low calorie, great tasting supplements with major health benefits.

Where to Find the Acai Berry

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. Delicious.

The Acai berry, juicy like a grape, is 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. And berries shipped outside of local regions are generally available as ingredients in healthy juices. Discover the amazing benefits of Acai Juice, but don’t be fooled – only drink 100% Acai Juice imported from Brazil. 

Our Recommendation:

 

Acai Reviews

- 100% Pure Acai Berry Juice (best value)

 

Acai Customer Reviews

- Acai Berry Diet Pills (free trial offer)