Everywhere you look these days, somebody is talking about the acai berry and its touted health benefits. But where did this popular little berry come from and why is it getting so much attention? Let's find out.
Unless the aliens just released you from extended space captivity, you have undoubtedly run into umpteen different news stories, press releases and advertisements about the acai berry (pronounced ah-sigh-ee). This little purple berry has become so popular in such a short period of time, it is on the verge of becoming a new food group all by itself. But what sets this berry apart from, say, a raspberry or even the almighty blueberry? Let's take a quick look at where the acai berry comes from and the nutrients it contains.
The Brazilian rain forest is the ancestral home of the acai berry. It grows as fruit on the Amazonian Acai Palm and has been used for hundreds of years by the Brazilian people, not only as a significant source of food, but also for the berry's detoxifying properties.
The anti-oxidant agents in this particular berry put even the blueberry to shame. The nutritional content of acai even surpasses that of the kale plant, which has long been considered the nutritional holy grail. While both kale and the acai berry contain cancer-preventing phytonutrients such as glucosinolates and the methyl cysteine sulfoxides, the berry also provides heart-healthy nutrients like Omega 3, 6 and 9 oils.
What are some of the benefits of this nutritional mighty-mite? Increased energy levels are a primary benefit of a diet that is high in acai berry nutrients. Because it is considered the perfect source of carbohydrate-fueled energy, the pulp of the berry is eaten before competition by Brazilian soccer players and other athletes. The berries also contain such high levels of anti-oxidants, they provide additional energy by strengthening the immune system to a point where the body isn't constantly struggling to fight germs and disease -- the result is that more of the body's energy is freed up for other uses.
The health benefits of the acai berry are related to the fruit's high levels of anti-oxidants. By attacking the free radicals that enter the body through environmental sources such as pollution, pesticides and cigarette smoke, the acai berry strengthens cells and fights disease and damage to the body's DNA.
The acai berry is also credited with fighting obesity. The fruit has a natural combination of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, amino acids, and phytosterols -- allowing the body to function at a higher level, process food more easily, and burn fat more efficiently.
The benefits of the acai berry cannot be ignored, however, they can be improved. Some manufacturers are now combining extract from the acai berry with other health-related supplements such as green tea, to create a kind of super-supplement. One such supplement is marketed under the name Acai Berry Select and is taken in capsule form, rather than eaten fresh or mixed from a powdered concentrate. If you would like to read user comments about Acai Berry Select, you might want to check out the website recommended below.
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