When your Mom said to eat your vegetables and fruits, she most likely was unaware of this astounding berry, unless you grew up in the Amazon rainforest. It's called the acai (pronounced ah-SHA'-ee).
Acai are the fruit of palms that live in the flood plains and on the river banks of the Amazon in South America. These palms, which can grow to more than eighty feet tall, are also harvested for the exotic heart of palm which destroys the growth bud and kills the tree.
But acai are picked, much like peaches or apples. The good news is the trees produce their fruit twice annually. The bad news is the acai fruit spoils quickly and so in its natural form could only be enjoyed in that region of the world…until now.
Freeze-Drying
Modern technology has discovered a way to freeze dry the fruit so it can be safely transported. For that reason, and it astonishing benefits in weight loss promotion, immune boosting, cholesterol lowering and increased energy properties, more and more manufacturers are including this berry in their products. But buyers beware. As this fruit's attributes become more widely known and as a result, the demand grows, short cuts and chemically enhanced preservation methods are becoming more apparent. Acai is now found in juices, usually mixed with blueberry, pomegranate and apple or mango juice. It can be added to green teas, white teas, lemongrass and vitamin enriched water drinks. The powder can be used in smoothies and even ice creams.
The best way to ensure you purchase a pure product is in the powdered form through a reputable organic store. Ask if the acai was freeze-dried (not spray-dried). Was it processed within 24 hours of being harvested? Is it from South America as opposed to China? Is it free of harmful chemicals, water, soy, sugars or other ingredients which may lessen its beneficial properties? Is it combined with guarana, natural caffeine?
Lose Weight How?
Many nutritionists agree the best way to lose and maintain a healthy weight is through giving back to your body what our American fast food, over processed and nutrition depleted diets lack. Acai is the most abundant in potent antioxidants, five times more than blueberry and almost twice as much as pomegranate.
Antioxidants help destroy free radicals, nasty elements from pollution, cigarette smoke, chemicals and other irritants which can eradicate the cell's immune defenses. Because antioxidants promote a higher metabolic weight, so you burn fat naturally, the correct way. And your body responds by making you feel more energetic, mentally alert and more immune to the viruses and bacteria floating through the office or school classrooms where your kids sit all day..
Acai is also rich in B vitamins, Vitamin E, fiber, protein and minerals essential to your health such as copper, potassium and manganese. It is a good source for omega 3,6 and 9 fatty acids which combat triglycerides and help maintain a lower cholesterol level.
And…it tastes good, too.
More Benefits
Acai has been reported to increase energy, improve digestion, provide better vision, slow the age-related decline of cells, reduce the risks of heart attacks and strokes, produce healthier skin, reduce insomnia and ease depressive symptoms. Studies have shown it to be a strong anti-inflammatory agent.
And the most astounding result of all was in a controlled laboratory conditions in 20006 at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Acai actually killed human leukemia cells. Of course, further study is underway and we are a long way from proving this little berry can cure cancer, but initial findings are impressive.
Want to Learn More?
There are many web articles on Acai and its benefits. One of the best websites is produced by Joel Carr, who personally lost over twenty pounds and increased his energy levels while using acai powder. His passion for this berry and its personal results led him to travel to the Amazon to eat the fruit picked right off the tree and to listen to native testimonies of how they have used acai to cure skins sores, diarrhea and fevers. He also tasted some delicious beverages and recipes using
pure acai. To learn more about acai, visit Joel's website on
the acai berrySurprise source of vitamin D
When your Mom said to eat your vegetables and fruits, she most likely was unaware of this astounding berry, unless you grew up in the Amazon rainforest. It's called the acai (pronounced ah-SHA'-ee).
Acai are the fruit of palms that live in the flood plains and on the river banks of the Amazon in South America. These palms, which can grow to more than eighty feet tall, are also harvested for the exotic heart of palm which destroys the growth bud and kills the tree.
But acai are picked, much like peaches or apples. The good news is the trees produce their fruit twice annually. The bad news is the acai fruit spoils quickly and so in its natural form could only be enjoyed in that region of the world…until now.
Freeze-Drying
Modern technology has discovered a way to freeze dry the fruit so it can be safely transported. For that reason, and it astonishing benefits in weight loss promotion, immune boosting, cholesterol lowering and increased energy properties, more and more manufacturers are including this berry in their products. But buyers beware. As this fruit's attributes become more widely known and as a result, the demand grows, short cuts and chemically enhanced preservation methods are becoming more apparent. Acai is now found in juices, usually mixed with blueberry, pomegranate and apple or mango juice. It can be added to green teas, white teas, lemongrass and vitamin enriched water drinks. The powder can be used in smoothies and even ice creams.
The best way to ensure you purchase a pure product is in the powdered form through a reputable organic store. Ask if the acai was freeze-dried (not spray-dried). Was it processed within 24 hours of being harvested? Is it from South America as opposed to China? Is it free of harmful chemicals, water, soy, sugars or other ingredients which may lessen its beneficial properties? Is it combined with guarana, natural caffeine?
Lose Weight How?
Many nutritionists agree the best way to lose and maintain a healthy weight is through giving back to your body what our American fast food, over processed and nutrition depleted diets lack. Acai is the most abundant in potent antioxidants, five times more than blueberry and almost twice as much as pomegranate.
Antioxidants help destroy free radicals, nasty elements from pollution, cigarette smoke, chemicals and other irritants which can eradicate the cell's immune defenses. Because antioxidants promote a higher metabolic weight, so you burn fat naturally, the correct way. And your body responds by making you feel more energetic, mentally alert and more immune to the viruses and bacteria floating through the office or school classrooms where your kids sit all day..
Acai is also rich in B vitamins, Vitamin E, fiber, protein and minerals essential to your health such as copper, potassium and manganese. It is a good source for omega 3,6 and 9 fatty acids which combat triglycerides and help maintain a lower cholesterol level.
And…it tastes good, too.
More Benefits
Acai has been reported to increase energy, improve digestion, provide better vision, slow the age-related decline of cells, reduce the risks of heart attacks and strokes, produce healthier skin, reduce insomnia and ease depressive symptoms. Studies have shown it to be a strong anti-inflammatory agent.
And the most astounding result of all was in a controlled laboratory conditions in 20006 at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Acai actually killed human leukemia cells. Of course, further study is underway and we are a long way from proving this little berry can cure cancer, but initial findings are impressive.
Want to Learn More?
There are many web articles on Acai and its benefits. One of the best websites is produced by Joel Carr, who personally lost over twenty pounds and increased his energy levels while using acai powder. His passion for this berry and its personal results led him to travel to the Amazon to eat the fruit picked right off the tree and to listen to native testimonies of how they have used acai to cure skins sores, diarrhea and fevers. He also tasted some delicious beverages and recipes using pure acai.
To learn more about acai, visit Joel's website on the acai berry
Surprise source of vitamin D