Acai Berry Superfood

Acai is a rare tropical fruit grown in virgin soils. It has high mineral and antioxidant content, said Anner Stone of Anner's Wellness Works in Tulsa. She and partner Jill Wallis provide a "share bag" of organic fruits and veggies to customers once a week, along with a newsletter and information on how to cook what's in the bag. Among their offerings, which also include condiments, snacks and supplements, are a few items with the acai berry. Those familiar with MonaVie have known about acai for a few years. For the uninitiated, MonaVie develops and markets nutritional products with a blend of the acai berry, according to information on the company's Web site. The berry has also been mentioned on "Oprah," with the talk show queen and dermatologist Dr. Nicholas Perricone touting the fruit as a super food. It's full of antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids, Perricone claims on the Oprah Web site (see tulsaworld.com/oprahacai). Grown in the Amazon rainforests of Brazil, acai berries are similar to blueberries and blackberries, said dietitian Cassie Wrich with Hillcrest Exercise & Lifestyle Programs. They're packed with fiber and, antioxidants. Antioxidants
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fight cell-damaging free radicals, thereby helping prevent cancer and other diseases. Acai is included in all those nutraceuticals people are talking about these days, Stone said. Nutraceuticals are foods and/or supplements that are so loaded with nutrition that they can make a huge difference in your life — like dark greens and garlic. "Anyone not eating garlic on a daily basis is nuts," she said. Is acai a cure-all, though? That's the rhetorical question Stone posed. "It won't fix everything." People get "really pumped up" about stuff that's supposed to make them feel good, Stroud said. Not all the claims made for some items are based in scientific research. When she was battling insomnia a little while back, Stroud took a sample and felt like she'd had a full night's sleep less than an hour later. "I feel so good on it," she said, "I'm just going to keep on taking it." Besides, people have been eating foods depleted of minerals and nutrients for so long, and the acai is high in minerals and antioxidants, Stone reiterated. "We've been fertilizing with chemicals since the '40s, and it's really run our soil ragged," she said. You won't find the berry in whole form locally, though. Besides, "it's slightly intense — not something you want all by itself," Stone said. "It doesn't taste good at all," concurred Stroud, who's been taking acai in one form or another for more than a year. Locally, acai berries mainly can be in supplements, such as juices and vitamins, Stone said. She and Wallis usually have a few products with acai, including Essential Daily Nutrients by Waiora. And Whole Foods has it in powder and capsule forms, such as a 60-count bottle of pills for $20. They also have ready-to-drink juices ($19.99 for 16 ounces — Stroud takes one ounce a day) and frozen blocks of acai puree.

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More Acai Berry Facts

Acai is a new fruit from Brazil that offers vital nutritional benefits for people over 40 years of age. The Acai contains 33 times the cholesterol fighting anthocyanin than a glass of red wine, a Daily Value (DVS) of calcium, twice the DVS at the antioxidant 'Vitamin E and a substantial amount of dietary fiber„ (2) Cardiovascular Maintenance, Anthocyanins are cholesterol regulating compounds with well researched data (indicating their value in Cardiovascular support Elevated blood cholesterol is one of the major modifiable risk factors for coronary heart disease (5) and the leading cause of death in the US The fact is that 490,000 Americans die of Coronary Heart Diseases each year (3) with cost of over $60 billion annually in medical expenses and lost productivity ( 4) Therefore, regulating and reducing cholesterol through dietary means can contribute to prolonging life and reducing medical expenses. Low cholesterol foods and exercise are only a part of the natural program to prevent and mitigate cardiovascular diseases. The consumption of foods rich in compounds that reduce cholesterol, reduce blood pressure and curry antioxidant protection completes the program. Acai is an excellent example of such a functional food that is now accessible to food, beverage and supplement markets in an economical and convenient form. Calcium rich Acai also provides several cardiovascular health benefits. According to a research summary by the Just-Food.com editorial team. More than maintaining skeletal strength and reducing the impact of osteoporosis, studies have shown that people who suffer from high blood pressure often also have diets low in calcium, When calcium is added to their diet, blood pressure drops. Some research also suggest that calcium may help reduce LDL cholesterol levels. Also the lower risk of stroke, found in a study of 86,000 women, was attributed to calcium. Diets rich in calcium have also been linked to reduced occurrences of colon and breast cancer in various laboratory studies. The generous amount of Vitamin E in Acai, twice the D.V., (Daily Value), is essential for regeneration of damaged tissue and as a protective antioxidant. Cancer prevention and Intestinal function: "Acai" high fiber content is very favorable to the consumers proper intestinal function, " reports Dr. Herve Rogez , "Fiber accelerates the intestinal processes and has a very important role in avoiding colon cancer, The D.V. is 35g of fibers/adult a day, Acai consumers reach this dose very easily," (2) References (1)Claire Madden, VP Marketing at MarketResearch.com, (2) "Biochemical and Technical Studies on Acai" by Dr. Herve Rogez 2, Sofia Pascal 2, Jesus N.S. de Souza, Arlete R. Aquino & Raphaele Buxant Dept.. de Engenharia Quimica - Centro Tecnologico, Diaouiweir ria I niinnin, Beligica) (3) National Contor for Health Statictice. Annual summary of births, marriages, divorces, and deaths United States, 1993, Monthly vital statistics report-, vol 42 no 13. Hyattsville, MD: Public Health Service, 1594. (4) American Heart Association. Heart and stroke facts 1995 statistical supplement. Dallas, TX: American Heart Association, 1994, (5) National Cholesterol Education Program. Second report of the Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults Adult Treatment Panel II). BeM6sda National Heart, Lung
Written By: Harold James

Acai Berry Has Everything

The acai berry is one of the world's most interesting and unique foods. It may also be one of its healthiest. Chock-full of antioxidants, amino acids, AND essential fatty acids, the tiny little acai berry packs a nutritional wallop rarely seen in the natural world. In fact, some experts consider it to be the world's most "complete" natural food.
Acai berries come from the acai (pronounced ah-SIGH-ee) palm tree of South America. The native peoples of Brazil have eaten the berry for centuries and there are, in fact, many local legends about acai's incredible healing and sustaining powers. It remains a popular "health and energy" food in that country today. Fortunately for North Americans and Europeans, in the last few years acai berry products have made their way to foreign shores. Now just about anyone can (and should) try this incredibly healthy food for themselves.
To give you an idea of just how powerful this fruit really is, consider the nutritional profile of acai berry pulp: - 10-30 times the anthocyanins (strong antioxidants) of red wine - an almost perfect essential amino acid complex (the "building blocks" of protein) - 60% Oleic acid, an omega-9 monounsaturated essential fatty acid - 12% Linoleic acid, an omega-6 polyunsaturated essential fatty acid - a full array of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements - large amounts of plant sterols (phytochemicals with numerous health benefits) - significant amounts of natural dietary fiber - natural calcium! As you can see, there aren't many things that the acai berry doesn't have! But the good news doesn't end there. Acai has a vibrant taste that most people find very, very pleasing. Though difficult to describe, some people compare the flavor of acai to tart, chocolate-covered cherries or blueberry ice cream with a hint of chocolate. Not bad for something so healthy!
A few of the more common benefits reported by people who consume acai berries on a regular basis include: - Greater energy and vitality - Increased stamina - Improved circulation - Improved digestion - Better sleep - Improved sexual function - Healthier, better-looking skin - Increased sense of overall "well-being" By now you're probably aching to try this super-fruit for yourself. Fortunately it's becoming more and more widely available throughout the United States, Europe, and Australia. Look for acai smoothies and acai berry juices at your local health foods shops. There are also several health supplements on the market which contain dried acai berry powder... but it would be a shame to miss out on the delicious and unique taste of this amazing berry!

Acai Berry Best Fruit

FIRST it was beetroot, then pomegranate, now a Brazilian berry believed to be the healthiest fruit of all has become the latest must-have nutritional ingredient.
Acai, a purple wonder-berry which has twice the cancer-beating antioxidants of blueberries, is already a fashionable food in the United States, where scientists recently found it destroyed four-fifths of cancer cells.
It has already built up a band of celebrity fans, including Oprah Winfrey, the Formula 1 racing driver Rubens Barrichello, tennis star Andre Agassi, the singer Sting and former model Gisele Bundchen.
Pronounced ah-sah-ee, the grape-sized berries will hit Scottish supermarket shelves in June when Waitrose opens its first stores north of the Border.
Currently, it is available only in freeze-dried form at specialist shops such as Brazilian Sensation in Edinburgh, which claims to be Britain's largest mail-order supplier of the wonder-berry.
"Acai is at the same point as coffee was ten years ago - just about to become really big," said John Falconer, the owner of Brazilian Sensation. "The number of orders is increasing daily as word spreads about the health benefits."
Acai berries also have the health-giving omega 6 and omega 9 fatty acids, rarely found in fruit, are low in calories and contain fibre, calcium and vitamins. Doctors say they help to fight leukaemia and premature ageing and the berries are even believed to increase libido. A study by the University of Florida showed that extracts from the berries triggered a self-destruct response in up to 86 per cent of cultured leukaemia cells tested.
Greenpeace and other environmental groups are fans of the fruit, because it is providing an alternative industry to the tree-clearing activities of logging and forestry in its native Brazil.
The first bottled juice version, made by a firm called Happy Monkey, will be sold by Waitrose from June - the month it opens two stores in Edinburgh.
Hamish McCall, the managing director of Happy Monkey, created the drink after a holiday in Rio de Janeiro, where he spotted locals drinking a "weird purple, gloopy" concoction.
Although it has become a mainstay of small and trendy juice bars, the Waitrose deal will see it transformed into a nationally available drink to health-conscious shoppers.
In the US, acai juice is now a £2.5 million-a-year industry, after being sold for the first time just over five years ago.
Mr McCall explained: "The acai is arguably the single most nutritionally beneficial fruit on earth.
"People are becoming increasingly aware of what they are putting into their bodies.
"There are some hurdles to overcome," he admitted. "No-one has heard of the acai berry - and people can't even pronounce its name - but it has a really distinctive taste which will appeal to a lot of people."
Mr Falconer added that the freeze-dried version sold in his Edinburgh store could be used as an ingredient in everything from milk-shakes and sorbets to puddings and sauces. "It is very versatile," he said.

Acai Berry Skin

Mostly it's a pit - all but 10 per cent of the Acai berry is inedible - but that doesn't prevent it from being one of the trendiest items on the food chain. Where Oprah and Hollywood lead, it seems the rest of us will follow and both have touted acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) as being the best thing since, well, the pomegranate. In this case, however, acai seems to live up to its impressive and growing reputation, and was recently declared a superfood by health guru and best-selling author Dr. Nicholas Perricone, who extols its ability to help reduce signs of aging. Available in North America only in the last two years, the small, dark purple fruit, product of the palmberry tree, grows wild in the Amazonian jungles of Brazil where natives have benefited from its powerful health properties for generations. Generally pureed, acai is traditionally served as a sauce, consumed as a drink, or enjoyed as an ice-cream-like slushie and sold by street vendors in Brazil, where it's become an integral part of beach culture. Acai appeals to the most sophisticated palate, its taste reminiscent of red wine with low but intense notes of chocolate, and has become a popular choice in west coast juice bars, where it's mixed with other fruits and fruit juices in a smoothie. "Açai is a particularly potent source of anthocyanins, the powerful class of antioxidants that helps prevent blood clots, improves circulation, relaxes blood vessels, prevents artherosclerosis and combats cancer. In addition, açai is also a source of oleic acid, which in addition to promoting heart health blocks the action of a cancer-causing oncogene found in about 30 per cent of breast cancer patients," says Jon Barron, world authority on alternative health and nutrition and president of the Baseline of Health Foundation. Low in calories and fat, high in fiber, acai contains no cholesterol and stores most of its goodness in its skin, which is also richly endowed with phytosterols, vitamins C and E, manganese, chromium, copper and boron. It contains more calcium than milk. Research indicates that acai may help protect against viruses and prostate problems, improve lipoprotein metabolism and bolster the immune system-it's also widely considered a powerful aphrodisiac. Adherents swear by its revitalizing, energizing properties; the pulp is mixed with pure Brazilian guarana extract-a native seed ground into powder-which gives consumers a little caffeine-like buzz. Because the açai fruit spoils so easily, it is not readily found in stores in the United States. "And even if it were, it's not really a user-friendly fruit. Only the skin has flavor and health value -- which means your only real option is finding either açai juice or frozen pulp in a health food store," says Barron who serves on the Medical Board of the Health Sciences Institute. A dietary staple among Brazilian athletes, acai is harvested wild and demand is helping to improve the quality of life among the poor in the Amazon estuary.

Acai Berry Secrets

Polyphenols, Phytochemicals, Anthocyanins, what are they and what are the benefits of such compounds? Phytochemicals characterize, or sum up the whole picture of the beneficial compounds found in fruits, vegetables, and certain teas. They are the protective living matter in which plants are able to thrive in some uncertain environments such as climate and insect infestations. When consumed by humans, these compounds act as antioxidants so vital to good health and longevity. Many studies suggest that the use of antioxidants may help in the fight against anti-aging, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and so many other age related degenerative diseases including ophthalmology. Anthocyanins are some of the more potent forms of antioxidants. We have all heard of the "French Paradox", how the people of France with their high fat diets and not uncommon unhealthy lifestyles are still below the percentage of related deaths from cardiovascular disease than many of the populations which exist today. One reason may be that they consume large amounts of red wine. Wine, made from grapes have very high levels of the antioxidant anthocyanins. The polyphenols (anthocyanins) in red wine, are believed to mitigate the effects of a fatty diet and smoking. Anthocyanin, a polyphenol which is proven to reverse, halt, and improve the conditions of many age related diseases inflicted on the general population. Anthocyanins (flavonoids) found in various fruits have a unique chemical structure that makes them 6 to 8 times more potent than vitamin C. One particular fruit, known as Acai (ah-Sa-E) contains the most highly concentrated forms of anthocyanins known thus far through intense research. The anthocyanin content in the Acai is proven to be 3.5 times the amount of that present in a glass of red wine, volume to volume when tested in an ORAL analysis ( measure of capacity). Anthocyanins and their protective properties: Inflammation and Collagen: Anthocyanins neutralize enzymes that destroy connective tissue. Their antioxidant capacity prevents oxidants from damaging connective tissues and repair damaged proteins in the blood-vessel walls. The Nervous System: By preventing tyrosine nitration, the anthocyanin properties in Acai may help protect against neurological diseases. The primary anthocyanins in Acai known as Cyanidin-3-glucoside have been found to help in the reversal of age related neurological deficits. Large and Small Blood-Vessels: Anthocyanins ability to counter oxidants make them a powerhouse in the fight against arteriosclerosis. Even in trace amounts, anthocyanins effectively protect against LDL oxidation. Anthocyanins protect the integrity of the endothelial cells that line blood vessel walls and help to maintain micro capillary integrity. Diabetes: One of the serious diabetic complications is retinopathy, which in most cases can cause blindness. This condition occurs when the body attempts to repair leaking, damaged capillaries, but does so by over producing abnormal proteins. The protection of anthocyanins may help prevent these capillaries from leaking and to help prevent abnormal protein proliferation. Eyesight: Anthocyanins may also help improve eyesight by numerous mechanisms. In the Second World War, British fighter pilots were found to have improved night vision. These findings were thought to be contributed by the large amounts of bilberry in the pilot's diet. The effects of the improved night vision were not long lasting after the initial consumption of bilberry lasting just hours after initial consumption. With this new found advantage, the pilots would consume the bilberry fruits just prior to the mission. Sources: Pigmentated fruits are known to carry the highest amounts of anthocyanins. Fruits that can be eaten with skin on, offer the highest value of anthocyanins. These fruits would consist of cherries, grapes, raspberries, blueberries, bilberry, and Acai to name a few. Whole Foods Magazine The Hidden Secrets . Written By: Jeffrey Bliss