Information and Research on Acai Berry

Acai berry tops the list of superfoods. 'Oprah' also discussed it's health benefits on her show, which ended up generating a lot of public interest. It is a fruit that has effective antioxidant abilities which are good for our health. This berry contains proteins and amino acids, and is also used as a cholesterol controller.

Acai Berry

The acai berry is small, round, and black in color, and around an inch in diameter. The acai palm, on which the acai berries grow, are very tall, ranging from 15-30 meters. It is one of the biggest cash crops in Brazil. Most of the berry's flesh is taken up by a single large seed. There are different kinds of acai berries, which are differentiated by their skin color. Some ripe berries are deep purple and some are green, depending on their type. They are grown as a food supplement in the Amazon jungles of Brazil.

How and When was Acai Berry Discovered?

The acai berry is believed to have been around for thousands of years. In the 1990s, it was first introduced in North America. The berry was used by the tribals of the Amazon forests for curing various diseases. The fruits grown in the Amazon are well known for their medicinal properties. A study shows that the tribes living in Brazil use up to 2,000 out of 3,000 known fruits for various officinal purposes. The tribes became aware of the benefits of the acai berry as it helped in building the immune system, and prevents any illness by fighting infections. It was consumed as an energy food that prevented heart diseases and controlled prostate enlargement. It was known to fight 'schistosomosis', a disease transmitted by snails, which affected over 10 million people in Brazil.

Benefits of Acai Berry

The acai berry juice has innumerable benefits. It can be a good way of losing weight, if combined with a proper diet and exercise. It has natural compounds that include the necessary fatty and amino acids, antioxidants, and phytosterols. It helps in proper functioning of our body, easy processing and digestion of food, and efficient fat burning. It also boosts the metabolism due to the presence of omega vitamins, and reduces the appetite due it's fiber-rich content, which results in weight loss.

Glucosamine, that helps maintain healthy joints and bones, is also present in acai berry juice. It tones the body up and maintains body tissue. It is also a good source of calcium that keeps our bones strong.

Acai berries enhance our immunity to fight diseases. They are grown and harvested on a rich soil that makes them full of natural nutrients. They contain all nutrients needed to boost our immune system. If the immune system is strong, the body can resist attacks by diseases and infections, which leads to a healthful life.

If acai berries are consumed on a regular basis, it slows down our aging process. The antioxidants and anthocyanins in the berries help the body cells to optimize their working, which reduces wrinkles. It also contains vitamin E which helps the body in tissue generation. It performs the functions of an astringent which tighten and shrink body tissues. The acai berry also helps fight staph infections.

Very little is known about the acai berries till now. However, with the numerous studies going on, many more benefits may come to light in the near future.