Acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) - Over the past few years, this delicious dark berry has been commanding a lot of attention outside of South America (where it grows and is harvested)... and it's understandable why acai has become so popular.

The acai berry has been the subject of many magazine and newspaper articles, as well as being featured on TV on such shows as Oprah and NBC's Today show by Matt Lauer. It's also been

Studies show that acai provides significantly more anti-oxidants than such well respected foods as blueberries, oranges, and even red wine grapes.

Perhaps more impressive is that the anti-oxidant concentration in the acai fruit is five times higher than that of gingko biloba, the popular "brain boosting" herbal supplement that is renowned for its antioxidant properties. Do to the vitality of this fruit, it is also referred to as the "Viagra of the Amazon."

With 33 times the antioxidants of red wine grapes and twice the antioxidants of blueberries, the Brazilian Acai berry is considered to have the best nutritional value of any fruit on earth.

The health benefits are amazing. Acai Berries grow on an Amazon Palm Tree and have been prized for hundreds of years by the indigenous people of Brazil for their ability to provide a sense of strength, energy, and a high nutritional content. 

Acai Berries are high in essential fatty acids & omegas - 60% Oleic (omega 9) - a monounsaturated essential fatty acid which helps to lower LDL (harmful cholesterol), while maintaining HDL ( beneficial cholesterol). 12% Linoleic (omega 6) - a polyunsaturated essential fatty acid which has also been found to lower LDL, while maintaining HDL. 

Acai also contains many valuable Phytosterols. Sterols are compounds of plant cell membranes providing numerous benefits to the human body, namely the reduction of blood plasma cholesterol (bad cholesterol).

The Acai Berry is a dense source of a particular class of flavonoids called anthocyanins. Its ORAC value (a measure of its antioxidant properties), is higher than any other edible berry on the planet. The remarkable concentration of antioxidants also helps combat premature aging,

The French Paradox and Anthocyanins

The French have a diet very rich in cheese, sugar, coffee, nicotine, sugar and white flour. With this type of diet you would expect the French to have a very high rate of heart disease, however, the exact opposite is true. The ability of the French to consume a heart clogging diet and yet have a very low rate of heart disease has been labeled the French Paradox.

Researchers now believe they have the reason for the "French Paradox" - anthocyanins! The French drink a significant amount of red wine... And the red wine grape, due to its anthocyanins, is what is believed to be responsible for the very low incidence of heart disease. While red wine has a good quantity of anthocyanins, the Acai berry has over 30 times the anthocyanins as red wine, and the Acai Berry is also an excellent source of dietary fiber!

Some of the reported benefits of Acai include: 

Greater energy/stamina.
Improved mental focus.
Better sleep.
Improved digestion.
Improved sexual function.
High levels of anti-oxidants.
High levels of dietary fiber.
High levels of essential amino acids and trace minerals.
High levels of plant sterols, which have been shown to help control cholesterol.
Essential fatty acids ratio that resemble olive oil, which has been shown to help combat heart disease.
Very low sugar content for a fruit.

The Acai fruit packs Vitamin B1, B2, B3, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Phosphorus, Calcium, Potassium,    Fiber, Proteins, good fatty acids such as Omega 6 and Omega 9. Research on Acai has shown that these anti-oxidants are known to fight and regulate cholesterol levels in the body.

Acai can give you the energy from your youth, and open up the vitality and increased stamina you had in your 20's. Besides being considered one of the "richest foods in Iron" the Acai fruit is also rich in fiber which makes it strongly recommended for the elderly and/or for people with digestive problems.

For its microbiological characteristics, Acai is considered one of the most nutritive foods in the Amazon, and perhaps in the world.

Plus - it's delicious. The Acai fruit has a yummy berry flavor with the aroma of chocolate! In Brazil, they make a popular slurpie-like drink from it, and now it's the new favorite energy drink in trendy cafes and spas in New York and California.

The Acai berry is truly one of nature's wonder fruits.

According to Dr. Jeffrey Klein, Ph.D. - a leading researcher in the field of antioxidants and their effects on living organisms, the Top 5 reasons to make Acai a regular part of your diet, as listed in his new book, Nature's Medicine Chest, are...

1. Skin tone: Youthful, healthier-looking skin.
2. Improved circulation: Especially to the extremities.
3. Healthier eyes: Better night vision.
4. Increased energy and vitality.
5. Resistance to colds/flu and disease.

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Dr. Nicholas Perricone Talks About Acai

Nicholas Perricone, MD, FACN, is a board-certified clinical and research dermatologist. Dr. Perricone completed medical school in just three years, graduating with distinction. He completed his internship in Pediatrics at Yale Medical School and his Dermatology Residency at Ford Medical Center. 

Dr. Perricone is regarded as the Father of the Inflammation Theory of Aging. He is also the author three New York Times Best Sellers, The Perricone Promise (Warner Books 2004), The Perricone Prescription (HarperCollins 2002), and The Wrinkle Cure (Warner Books 1998).

Because he is so highly regarded in the field of anti aging, when Dr. Perricone appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show and gave his top ten super foods list for Anti aging and Beauty, listing the Acai fruit at the top of his chart, more and more people became interested in this little known berry from deep inside the Amazon jungles. 

Here's an excerpt of what Dr. Perricone had to say about Acai.
 

Nature's Energy Fruit "It may seem odd to start this list of super foods with one you’ve likely never even heard of. But studies have shown that this little berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world! Acai (ah-sigh-ee) is the high-energy berry of a special Amazon palm tree. Harvested in the rainforests of Brazil, acai tastes like a vibrant blend of berries and chocolate.  Hidden within its royal purple pigment is the magic that makes it nature's perfect energy fruit. Acai is packed full of antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids. Although acai may not be available in your local supermarket, you can find it in several health food and gourmet stores (often in juice form). Acai pulp contains: A remarkable concentration of antioxidants that help combat premature aging, with 10 times more antioxidants than red grapes and 10 to 30 times the anthocyanins of red wine. A synergy of monounsaturated (healthy) fats, dietary fiber and phytosterols to help promote cardiovascular and digestive health. An almost perfect essential amino acid complex in conjunction with valuable trace minerals, vital to proper muscle contraction and regeneration. The fatty acid content in acai resembles that of olive oil, and is rich in monounsaturated oleic acid. Oleic acid is important for a number of reasons. It helps omega-3 fish oils penetrate the cell membrane; together they help make cell membranes more supple. By keeping the cell membrane supple, all hormones, neurotransmitter and insulin receptors function more efficiently. This is particularly important because high insulin levels create an inflammatory state, and we know, inflammation causes aging."

Note: As mentioned above, Dr. Perricone was a special guest recently on the Oprah Winfrey show (November 2004). During his interview, Dr. Perricone gave Oprah's audience a list of his top 10 Super foods for anti-aging and optimal health. Of course, at the top of that list was Acai! You can find Dr. Perricone's entire top ten list on Oprah's web site.

What's even more interesting to note is that no where in Dr. Perricone's top ten super foods list were morinda, noni, the wolf berry, the gogi berry, mangosteen, etc...

That's not to say these are not useful or beneficial fruits. We're certain they are. They simply did not make Dr. Perricone's top ten list of Super foods. You can review Dr. Perricone's entire article at Oprah.com by visiting our In The News link found at the top of this page.

Yet, let's not stop with Dr. Perricone. The health benefits of Acai are now becoming so widely recognized in the mainstream that respected publications such as the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Vogue, the New York Times, Men's Health, even NBC, and many others have featured stories on the Acai Berry.

Can you think of any other little known fruit in North America or Europe that has garnered this type of positive press recently? There must be a reason why... Visit our In The News link for more information on Acai.

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Breakthroughs In Health

Breakthroughs In Health is a good source for more data on the benefits of Acai. Along with an explanation of its crucial fatty acids and fiber, the Magazine explains the wonderful benefits of daily consumption of the acai berry.

It has an at-a-glance listing of 39 of the most important reasons to consume Acai  every day, including to...

1.) Extend Your Life
2.) Increase Your Energy and Strength
3.) Look and Feel Younger
4.) Maintain Healthy Blood Pressure
5.) Prevent Cancer
6.) Maintain Healthy Cholesterol Levels
7.) Promote Normal Blood Sugar and Manage Diabetes
8.) Enhance Sexual Function
9.) Help You Lose Weight
10.) Relieve Headaches and Dizziness
11.) Improve Quality of Sleep
12.) Improve Your Vision
13.) Strengthen Your Heart
14.) Inhibit Lipid Peroxidation
15.) Improve Disease Resistance
16.) Improve Immune Response
17.) Manage and Fight Cancer
18.) Protect Your Precious DNA
19.) Inhibit Tumor Growth
20.) Reduce the Toxic Effects of Chemotherapy and Radiation
21.) Build Strong Blood
22.) Help Chronic Dry Cough
23.) Fight Inflammation and Arthritis
24.) Improve Lymphocyte Count
25.) Treat Menopausal Symptoms
26.) Prevent Morning Sickness
27.) Improve Fertility
28.) Strengthen Your Muscles and Bones
29.) Support Normal Kidney Function
30.) Improve Your Memory
31.) Support Healthy Liver Function
32.) Alleviate Anxiety and Stress
33.) Brighten Your Spirit
34.) Improve Digestion
35.) Maintain Healthy Gums
36.) Fight Fibromyalgia
37.) Prevent Allergies
39.) Protect Children’s Health
39.) Promote Overall Wellness

Research indicates that daily acai consumption may also help your body:

Neutralize free radicals
Prevent heart disease
Thwart cancer and
Live longer

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What To Do Next...

We invite you to learn more about the second superfood in Fruta Vida, yerba mate. Simply click on the Next Page button below to find out why yerba mate is also the national drink of Argentina.

 

 

 

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Information on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to act as a substitute for medical advice provided by a qualified health care provider, nor is any information in this site intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

 

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