The Acai Berry and Its Nutrient Value

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. Akai berries River produces a Euterpe oleracea palm tree known scientifically as often in floodplains of the Amazon. When ripe berries on a dark purple and take the size of a blueberry. They contain a thin layer of flesh surrounding a large seed.

The nutrients in Acai

Oleic acid

Palmitic

Linoleic acid

Anthocyanins (redwines)

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 anti-aging foods.

The University of Florida study showed that acai antioxidants that destroyed cultured human cancer cells contain. University of Florida was one of the first to examine the result of the alleged benefits. "It 's only been a model of cell culture, and we do not want to give anyone false hopes. We are encouraged by the results, though. Compounds that show good activity against cancer cells in a model system is likelyto 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.