Acai Palm

Acai berry products are fast emerging popular across the globe, for its so-called health benefits. These berries are the fruits of acai palm that is native to Brazil. In its native place, this palm is widely cultivated for the berries, which they use for culinary purposes. The palm is also highly valued for its high quality heart of the palm (the inner core of the tree/bud). The berries are said to have various health benefits and it is said that the tribes of Amazonian rainforests have been using these fruits for treating various ailments. Now, acai berries are being sold in various forms, worldwide.

Acai Palm Facts

Acai palm (Euterpe oleracea) is a palm tree species that is mainly found in the Amazonian rainforests in Brazil and Peru. These trees are mostly found in swamps, marshy coastlines and floodplains. They have drooping pinnate leaves and slender trunks. The diameter of the trunk can be anywhere around seven to ten inches and the tree can grow to a maximum height of around 65 feet. Most of these trees are found to develop multiple stems, from a single root system. Male and female flowers are produced in the same tree. The flowers are brownish or purple in color and they develop fruits in bunches. Ripe acai berries are purplish black in color and have a diameter of around one inch. But, these fruits are made of little pulp and a very big seed. Two crops of acai berries are produced in a year. The ripe fruits are harvested and used for consumption.

In some parts of Brazil, acai berry is an indispensable part of the native diet. They consume the pulp and juice of these berries that are also used in preparing regional dishes too. Acai berry juice is also used for flavoring, ice creams, sodas, liqueur, etc. During the last decade of the twentieth century, the popularity of acai berry products spread to other parts of the world and now, these products are available in other regions too. Acai berry products, like, yogurts, sodas, smoothies, juice, etc., are available in other countries too. Nowadays, acai berry is marketed as a super food and are claimed to have various health benefits. You may find a wide range of acai products used as dietary supplements. Even though, there is no scientific evidence to prove acai berry health benefits, these products are being used extensively.

Benefits of Acai berry

As mentioned above, acai berry has been an important part of the native diet in certain parts of Brazil. This acai palm fruit is said to be rich in antioxidants and so, is said to be very effective in eliminating harmful toxins from the body. You might have heard about acai cleanse, which is one of the popular detox diets. It is claimed that acai berry cleanse is useful in getting rid of toxins from the body, in a very short time. It is also said to boost energy levels and digestive function. According to the exponents of acai berry products, consumption of acai berry improves blood circulation, reduces the symptoms of aging and lowers cholesterol. It is also touted to be good for achieving weight loss. Even though, acai products are used widely, studies about their health benefits, are still underway. It has been confirmed that acai berries are rich in antioxidants, but, how far they are effective in boosting human health, is still not clear.

Is acai berry safe? This is another common query from people, who want to use acai berry products. According to health experts, moderate acai berry consumption is found to be safe in most people. However, those with pollen allergy may sometimes develop acai berry side effects. Some people may develop hypersensitivity to this berry. But, the real problem lies in the fact that there are various fake acai products in the market and use of such products may cause side effects and other problems. So, be cautious of acai berry scams. Always buy organic acai products from reputed manufacturers and avoid online fake free trial ads.Above all, seek the opinion of your doctor, before using acai berry products.