Acai is an antioxidant rich berry that grows wild in the Brazilian Amazon and tropical forests in Cetral America and is considered to be one of the top Superfoods in the world. Acai has long been consumed in Brazil but is relatively new in other parts of the world.
Acai, like other fruits and herbs found in the rainforests on this planet holds the key to many of the unknown health benefits.
A reason for acai's slow adoption in other countries is that the fruits can be had only for a short period post-harvest, before it quickly deteriorates. Hey good things don't last do they ? so the fruit is only available in juice or fruit pulp outside the growing region.
The juice and pulp of acai fruits are frequently used in various juice blends, smoothies, sodas, and other beverages, primarily in South America where such products are widely available.
Acai fruit flavor and texture The fruit pulp is very deep purple and is reminiscent of a blueberry sorbet or ice cream with a hint of chocolate flavor. Akai berries are produced by a palm tree known scientifically as Euterpe oleracea, common in floodplain areas of the Amazon River. When ripe, the berries take on a dark purple color and about the size of a blueberry. They contain a thin layer of fruit pulp surrounding a large seed.
The Nutrients in Acai
Oleic acid
Palmitic acid
Linoleic acid
Anthocyanins (also present in red wines)
Beta-sitosterol (beta-sitosterol), a phytosterol that inhibits cholesterol absorption.
The fiber content is approximately 44% of the total fruit mass, making it one of the most fiber rich fruits.
The fruit pulp also has very good antibacterial properties, resulting in wide use as an astringent in South America. All of the above nutrients makes acai one of the most concentrated source of nutrients you can get in a fruit form.
Due to the high antixoxidant content, the acai berry is known as one of the most powerful of the anti-aging foods.
A University of Florida study found that acai contains antioxidants that destroyed cultured human cancer cells. University of Florida was one of the first to investigate the fruit?s purported benefits. "This was only a cell-culture model and we don?t want to give anyone false hope. We are encouraged by the findings, however. Compounds that show good activity against cancer cells in a model system are most likely to have beneficial effects in our bodies" the study noted.
In what form can you find Acai? Various products in fruit pulp, juice, blended juice products, capsule, chewable tablets. The fruit pulp is available in health food stores. Several juice vendors even have an "acai boost" that you can have with other juices.
When a natural product such as Acai, becomes a health fad, several by-products advertized as supplements, health food etc, comes into the market in a massive scale to tap into a trend. While the benefits of Acai has been widely touted, it is not a panacea for all ills. The consumer needs to exercise caution in buying Acai related products and should watch carefully as to what they are really getting.
About the Author Josh E. Thomas is writer who regularly writes about Health and Nutrition. Visit http://nutrition.smatix.com He lives in California with his wife and daughter. This article can be freely re-published in any form, as long as the Author credit and links are included. | |
