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Learn the facts about Acai
By Todd Levering
One of the most nutritious berries on the market, the acai
berry, is found in the rain forests of South America . Arguably
the most nutritious berry, the acai (A sci EE) berry has more
nutrients in it than any other berry currently on the market.
The berry comes the from the acai palm, where it grows in
strings. The palm itself is 15-25 meters tall with multiple
trunks. The average palm has four to eight trunks, each one
four to six inches in diameter, but palms with as many 25
trunks aren't uncommon. The fruit itself is under an inch in
diameter, with a single large seed inside. The palm grows
best in low-lit swampy areas, such as are found in the
Brazilian rain forest, but it has been spread by animals
throughout the Amazon basin. Each trunk produces four to
eight bunches of berries throughout the year, with the dry
season seeing the largest fruit production. An acai palm
generally doesn't start producing fruit until it is about four to
five years old.
The acai palm was originally harvested for its palm hearts,
taking the place of another palm that had been harvested
almost to the point of extinction. The multiple trunks of the
acai palm can be removed, and the palm's trunks will grow
back. Acai palms now provide most of the world's palm hearts,
but over-harvesting is becoming a problem. However, as the
palm hearts aren't as profitable as the acai berry juice is
becoming, and as palm heart production is sustainable, the
palm's berries may save the trees in the long run.
From the acai palm (euterpe oleracea) comes both its berries
and the palm heart (a cluster of new leaves, also known as
"cabbage). It grows quickly in the swamps of Brazil, Guyana,
and Suriname. Not only is it used for food; the fronds
themselves are used to thatch homes as well as for weaving.
The juice of the acai berry is also used in the preparation of
patients for MRI scans of the gastrointestinal tract as a
contrasting agent. Another use is as an astringent, an agent
that contracts or shrinks tissues, which decreases secretions
and controls bleeding.
The locals use acai to create creams, and in a porridge with
manioc meal, bananas, or even fish. The seed makes an
excellent fertilizer (it has even started to be used for this in
the United States), and can even be seen in local handicrafts
(most notably necklaces). Specific parts of the plant can be
burned to produce an insect repellent. The palm hearts are
used for salads, creams, stuffing, and even the feeding of
domesticated animals, and the roots are used in herbal
remedies for maladies such as bleeding and worms. Different
parts of the acai palm have been used to cure a wide range of
diseases such as anemia, diarrhea, fever, liver diseases,
malaria, and muscle and menstrual pain.
Most important is the acai berry. Besides being used for juice,
it is also used as a flavoring and colorant in wines and
liqueurs. The berries are an excellent source of essential fatty
acids (Omega-3 and Omega-6) plus oleic acid (Omega-9),
which are good for lowering low-density lipoprotein levels. The
berry also contains phytosterols (compounds of plant cell
membranes), which help reduce blood plasma cholesterol.
The berries contain amino acids and vital trace elements vital
to muscle contraction and regeneration, and they also provide
dietary fiber (excellent for dietary tract health). Acai berries
possess high levels of calcium, vitamins a and e, and
phosphorus, as well as high concentrations of polyphenols,
making them an excellent source of antioxidants. In fact, it's a
much better source of antioxidants than foods such as
blueberries, oranges, and even red wine.
Studies show a link between the use of antioxidants and
increased longevity, and antioxidants also help in the fight
against premature aging, cancer, cardiovascular and
ophthalmological diseases, and other age-related
degenerative problems. Acai may also help boost brain
activity, support healthy cholesterol levels, make the skin
healthy and supple, and provide natural energy.
Acai berries may be a proverbial "Fountain of Youth."
Comparing them to milk, the berries contain 3 times as many
lipids, seven times as many carbohydrates, 118 times more
iron, nine times as much Vitamin B1, and eight times as much
Vitamin C. They also have the same amount of protein and
calcium as milk.
Acai juice is popular among the locals where it grows, and is
seen as a "poor man's juice." In a single day, 400,000 pounds
of fruit is sold daily in just one city. The juice is served in
plastic bags, and goes for about $2 per liter in some areas,
making it very affordable for even the poorest families. The
fruit itself is also a staple in the diets of many locals, especially
when mixed with manioc to create porridge.
In short, the acai palm is used for a number of things from art
to repellent to medicine, and its berries are starting to a find
their way into a number of dietary supplements. The berries
have definite value as part of a healthy diet.
Todd Levering provides no-hype facts about the health benefits of the acai berry. To get unbiased information about the acai products visit his acai berry website.
About the Author
Todd Levering is the publisher of a website that provides no-nonsense information about the acai berry. To get more info about acai berry research and products that are made with the acai fruit, visit http://acaipro.com
Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/8516.html
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