Many people have not even heard of an acai berry diet – something that is fast catching on as a super food across the world. Harvested from the rainforests of Brazil, the acai berry is definitely the most powerful and nutritious food created by nature. This blackish-purple berry has a rich flavor that tastes like a blend of berry and chocolate. However, the berry is held in high acclaim today for something more than just its amazing taste. Why is Acai So Special?The acai berry is an unbelievable storehouse of nutrients like antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, protein and essential fatty acids. In fact, an acai berry diet gives you more antioxidants than blueberries, plus lots of calcium, Omega fats and dietary fiber. This makes acai berry products a great organic option to provide a natural, energy boost to your body or to satisfy hunger cravings. Did you know that one serving of acai juice contains about 2 grams of dietary fiber? In addition to promoting smooth bowel movements, dietary fiber also helps to maintain a healthy digestive system. New studies suggest that soluble fibers in acai berry diet greatly aid in lowering blood cholesterol. The insoluble fibers in acai also play an important role – reducing the risk of certain kinds of cancers. The combination of Omega fats and antioxidants makes acai a real wonder food. Studies show that Mediterranean and French diets are especially beneficial for the body due to the high concentration of olive oil and red wine. An acai berry diet is a blend of the best of both these diets – with essential fatty acids similar to olive oil and 30 times the antioxidant content in red wine.No wonder acai is widely used by the Brazilians in all imaginable forms – from drinks and smoothies to breakfast dishes and energy bars. The pulp of acai is used in flavoring their fish and meat entrees. Best of all, acai has long been used as an effective remedy for skin irritation, digestive diseases, sexual dysfunction, lethargy and even insomnia.
For thousands of years, the natives of South America have been eating pure Acai berries. They have been enjoying it as mashed pulp toppings, juice, or just as fruit. The Western world has slowly woken up to the wonderful benefits of this amazing small fruit. It has recently been promoted on the Oprah show and by a handful of doctors.Those who have studied this little berry cannot stop raving about the stunning nutritional qualities of this fruit. Acai berry has been proclaimed as the new “superfood”. The list of health benefits of pure Acai berries is long and stupefying.Relieves Joint PainTo begin with, studies have shown that regular intake of pure Acai juice relieves and puts an end to joint pain. So how does it do this? Acai fruit is rich in antioxidants, which help purify the blood and strengthen the body’s natural ability to fight free radicals. Acai berries have more antioxidants than wine grapes, cherries, pomegranates and blueberries. Furthermore, Acai berries are also rich in Vitamin A, C, and E. These berries also have high Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) value. ORAC measures the antioxidant level of food. High ORAC value is beneficial in fighting joint pain. Antioxidants of pure Acai juice help fight super-oxide free radicals, which are known to cause the decrease in the function and mobility of the joints. Drinking antioxidant rich Acai juice helps the body to heal and thereby, reduces joint pain.Other BenefitsStudies have also shown that Acai juice and extracts help fight heart disease. Scientists contend that the Acai fruit has a high concentration of phytosterols, regular intake of which reduces heart related problems. Furthermore, Acai fruit helps maintain good cholesterol and reduces bad cholesterol. Acai fruit is also rich in Anthocyanins, which has many health benefits. Anthocyanins have anti-cancer, anti-aging, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities. Beside its numerous health benefits, Acai fruit also taste great. The taste can be described as a combination of berries and chocolate. So now we have a great super food that tastes lip-smacking as well.
It’s not easy to find the best acai capsules when you’re bombarded by various marketing campaigns, each company saying theirs is better than others. To help you decide which one is best for you, here are two important things you need to know about acai products being sold today.1. Acai is a very delicate berry. Within 24 hours of harvest, it quickly losses much of its nutrients if it is not eaten right away. For this reason, it needs to be preserved as soon as it is harvested. This is where many of the acai companies differ.Some companies settle for cheap ways of preserving acai. And cheap, usually comes at a price – which in this case, is a substandard product. How do companies on the cheap do it? They spray-dry the acai. On the other hand, the better companies freeze-dry theirs.Why is this so important?Well, freeze drying acai makes sure that the nutrients in an acai berry are well-preserved. On the other hand, spray-drying, which processes the berry in very high heat, leaves the acai with very little antioxidants and nutrients . You might as well just buy some prunes!So if you want to buy only the best, always look for freeze-dried acai2. Not all companies have 100% acai ingredients in their acai capsules. Some add other ingredients which are not necessarily as nutritious as this superfood. So if you want to get the best of the antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that acai can do to your body, there’s no point buying acai supplements which are not made of 100% acai. Right? Remember, acai can be more expensive than your generic multivitamin. So you might as well buy one that really optimizes all the benefits it can do to your body.So when you’re researching which acai capsule to buy, go look at the ingredients and make sure that the supplements being sold are made of 100% acai.Don’t settle for anything less.
acai berry | Acai Berry | 
January 2, 2010 4:28 am | 
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