Saturday, December 27, 2008

What are the Benefits of the Acai Berry?

By Gray Rollins

The Acai berry is an amazing superfood native to South America. This fruit of the acai palm, which grows in Brazil and Peru is 90% seed and 10% pulp; they also have a very high fat content, meaning they do not last long in their fresh state and are generally unavailable fresh outside of the areas where grown. However, the pulp can be frozen or freeze dried and powdered for export.

Frozen acai pulp and acai powder is full of protein, calcium, iron, fiber, vitamin A and vitamin C. The acai berry is an excellent source of antioxidant possibilities, having more than orange juice, red wine or tea. Anthocynanin, the antioxidant compound in the highest concentration in the fruit is very beneficial to your health. In fact, the ORAC proclaims the acai berry to be the most nutritious edible berry known.

Acai berry can improve digestive function and even improve brain function! The high fiber content of this berry helps you to detoxify naturally, which means healthier, clearer skin.

Due to its protection of the nervous system it helps diagnose neurological illnesses. It reduces the chances of cancer, the protein content of it is higher than that of eggs, the circulatory system also benefits from it and it is also believed to improve the libido. It reduces inflammation and is very good for diabetic patients.

Says Oprah Winfrey of this berry: "This little berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world. It can often be found in juice form in health food and gourmet stores." With such an influential endorsement, no wonder everyone is interested in this amazing tropical fruit.

The high protein content of the acai berry can keep cholesterol levels under control and stimulate the digestive system. Acai is a heart healthy food too; the omega 3 fatty acids it contains are as effective for your health as the ones found in olive oil! The fatty acids and vitamin E found in the acai helps keep your skin looking youthful.

You can enjoy acai in a number of ways. If you're fortunate enough to be able to find fresh acai berries, they can be eaten as they are. However, the frozen pulp and acai powder can be mixed into smoothies and milkshakes, stirred into yogurt or made into desserts.

The acai berry is high on energy and antioxidants due to which athletes swear by this berry. Another positive side of having this fruit is that it is economical instead of spending loads of cash on expensive protein shakes, energy supplement capsules and drinks you can easily opt for this natural power food instead. It is also more easily available than it was before. - 15336

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