3 Acai Berry Facts You Should Know
Posted on 15. Dec, 2010 by admin.
Acai Berries have received much press lately for their health benefits. This fruit has been called the newest Superfood, touted as giving ease to many ailments and diseases from excessive weight to diabetes. But where do these berries come from and what can they really do to improve a person’s health? Here are three facts you should know about this amazing food.
Acai Berries grow on the Acai palm tree, which grows mainly in Central and South America. The fruit is small and round like a grape and is purplish-black in color, and it is not a true berry. A popular source of nutrition along the Amazon River, it has also become popular all around the world as a healthy food. The fruit can be eaten alone, juiced to create juices and liqueurs, or blended into smoothies. According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acai_berry#Fruit, extracts from the Acai Berry can even be used in sodas. But its latest and most widely-touted claim to fame is as a dietary supplement.
There are many forms of Acai Berry supplements available from health food stores as well as internet retailers. Tablets are very popular forms in which to consume the beneficial extracts of the fruit, but also according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acai_berry#Fruit, many supplements come in juice, yogurt, or powdered form as well. Users can sprinkle the powder on hot cereals or ice cream, and the juice can be mixed with other liquids to create customized drinks that suit each person’s taste. Or the tablets can be taken directly by mouth with water or other liquids.
But why would anyone want to add Acai Berries to their diet? According to http://acaiberrysite.com/, this fruit has higher levels of antioxidants than any other natural food. That’s good news for those who are interested in improving their cardiovascular health and preventing the formation of some cancers. Antioxidants inhibit the formation of free radicals in the blood, which can damage cells. Therefore, finding a substantial source of antioxidants–such as the Acai Berry–is a boon to human health enhancement. Consuming the Acai Berry as a raw fruit is probably–like most other fruits–the best way to gain natural benefits from it.
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What is MonaVie RVL?
Posted on 07. Dec, 2010 by admin.
For those of us wanting to lose weight, there are a lot of options available in stores or on the internet. It can be hard to maneuver through them to find the right one, one that will work right for you. One popular product that has been on the market for several years is MonaVie.
With claims of health benefits, Mona Vie was one of the first manufacturers to utilize the acai berry in a health drink that has sold in record breaking numbers. Besides the acai berry, MonaVie’s products contain a mixture of vitamins and antioxidants as well as beneficial ingredients like glucosamine and plant sterols. The drink is palatable while providing nutrition that many claim to be a fountain of health. In response to these claims, the MonaVie company has continued to offer new products full of great taste and nutrition.
With the success of its product line, MonaVie has introduced its new line of weight loss products under the name of MonaVie RVL. Designed to work with weight loss goals both large and small, RVL Premier Weight Solution provides a high nutrition product that contains a wealth of ingredients designed to help you manage your weight.
When combined with a sensible diet, MonaVie RVL helps promote health and curb hunger in a variety of ways:
• Shake Mix
The MonaVie RVL Nutrition Shake Mix can be mixed with water or milk to provide a tasty complement to your breakfast or lunch. As an alternative you can add some to your favorite MonaVie juice.
• Snack Bar
Full of the same nutritious ingredients, the MonaVie RVL Nutrition Snack Bar is a great way to satisfy hunger between meals.
• Dietary Supplement
The MonaVie RVL Dietary Supplement contains an exclusive formula designed to help burn calories. It should be taken with morning and afternoon snacks.
• Weight Management
The MonaVie RVL Premier Weight Solution Program should consist of a balanced diet, making sure to balance the MonaVie regimen with a healthy combination of fruits, vegetables, proteins, fats and carbohydrates. It is important to remember to exercise as well. As with any diet program, it is important to discuss this program with your physician before embarking upon it.
MonaVie is a well known online company with a large selection of popular products. Adding the MonaVie RVL Weight Solution Program to your life can be a rewarding way to manage your weight.
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Benefits of Acai Berry during Pregnancy
Posted on 20. Aug, 2010 by admin.
The Creator has endowed only the female of the species with the ability to give birth to a new organism. Pregnancy is a very important phase in a woman’s life in which she undergoes lots of physiological and hormonal changes.
A woman has to be very cautious about her lifestyle and food habits during pregnancy. If she is a smoker, alcoholic or addicted to substance abuse she has to quit the habits. Her body has to be detoxified and acai berry with high content of antioxidants will give best results without any side effects.
The developing fetus inside the womb of a pregnant lady is provided nutritional requirements and oxygen through a structure called the placenta. Food consumed is converted to glucose and utilized by the body for its metabolism. During this process certain chemicals called free radicals are produced that might cause calcification of the placenta and oxidative stress in pregnant women.
Acai berry has abundant antioxidants like anthocyanins and flavonoids that neutralize the free radicals and prevent unwarranted effects on the health of a pregnant lady or the developing fetus. Acai berry is known to prevent nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.
Doctors routinely prescribe iron and folic acid supplements to pregnant women. Acai berry has lot of iron and folic acid content and therefore the freeze dried fruit in its purest form can be consumed for optimum benefit.
Due to the pressure exerted by the growing fetus on the abdomen pregnant women suffer from constipation. Acai berry will readily relieve constipation due to its high fiber content.
Acai berry has numerous vitamins. If pregnant women consume acai berry it will relieve the cramps and ankle edema that is common during pregnancy.
Omega three fatty acids and polyunsaturated fats are present in abundance in acai berry and they should be consumed regularly by pregnant women. Antioxidant content measured in terms of ORAC is highest in acai berry than in any other fruit in the world. Therefore regular consumption during pregnancy rids the blood of its toxins and improves the blood circulation.
After pregnancy most women tend to gain weight. The excess weight can be reduced by taking organic acai berry that boosts energy, burns fat and increases stamina by speeding up the metabolism. There are no known side effects till date from using acai berry during pregnancy but it would be better to consult a medical practitioner before starting consumption.
References
1) http://ezinearticles.com/?Is-Acai-Berry-Safe-During-Pregnancy?&id=2156003
2) http://ezinearticles.com/?Acai-Berry-and-Being-Pregnant—Is-This-Diet-Best-For-Those-Carrying-a-Baby?&id=1862255
3) http://ezinearticles.com/?Taking-Care-of-You-and-Baby—Are-Acai-Berries-Safe-For-Pregnant-Women?&id=2138442
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Benefits of Acai Berry in Comparison with Pomegranates
Posted on 19. Aug, 2010 by admin.
The average American has become so accustomed to consuming packaged foods of different kinds that sometime in the near future fruits and vegetables might become things of the past. They might have to be preserved in a herbarium to be shown to future generations as food sources of yesteryear.
Global warming has indeed been a boon to the organic food market in the United States. The increasing awareness about the hazardous effects of pollution has made people eco-friendly. This is the reason for the sudden spurt in sales of organic foods in the last two decades.
Pomegranate and acai berry are two fruits that provide immense health benefits. There is a raging debate about which of the two is more beneficial. Each of the fruit has its own unique characteristics but acai berry is more potent in terms of wide-ranging benefits to the general health of human beings.
The pomegranate is a good-looking fruit with dark red colored seeds embedded in its pulp. It is an exotic fruit that entered the United States through immigrants from Europe.
The high iron content in pomegranate is effective in preventing anemia and increasing hemoglobin in anemic patients. Pomegranate contains lots of antioxidants like flavonoids and anthocyanins that slow down the ageing process and ensure that the skin is smooth and endowed with a healthy glow. The acai berry contains numerous minerals and the antioxidant content in it is thrice that of pomegranate.
Though there is no authentic clinical evidence there are reports that regular consumption of pomegranate prevents Alzheimer’s disease. It lowers the PSA level and therefore effective in treating prostate problems in men. Acai berry detoxifies the body, cleanses the colon, boosts immunity and wards off infections due to the high fiber content and numerous nutrients in it.
The high antioxidant content in pomegranate prevents plaque formation in the cardiac blood vessels. Various cancers can be prevented by regularly consuming pomegranate fruit or juice. Vitamin A, B, C, E and folic acid are found abundantly in pomegranate. Omega three fatty acids, essential amino acids, and multiple vitamins in acai berry make it the uncrowned king of the organic food market in the United States.
Though the pomegranate fruit provides numerous health benefits it comes nowhere close to the acai berry that has been the staple diet of the Amazon Indians who lead long healthy lives and are living proof of the acai berry’s benefits.
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Acai Berry and Brazil – The Eternal Connection
Posted on 19. Aug, 2010 by admin.
In terms of area, Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth largest in the world. Brazil is home to the Amazon River that is the largest river system in the world. The Amazon River basin encompasses eight countries, the largest of which is Brazil.
The Amazon River basin receives an average annual rainfall of 2000 mm. This heavy rainfall has resulted in the growth of dense rainforests. The biodiversity of the tropical rainforests is mind-boggling. Even more spectacular is the multiplicity of ethnicity in Brazil that is a result of centuries of interaction between people from diverse backgrounds.
Among the thousands of species of plants and animals in the rainforests scientists have been able to study some that are valued for their nutritional and medicinal value. Foremost among them is the acai berry that is consumed by the indigenous tribes inhabiting the Amazon River basin.
Ryan Black and his brother were holidaying in Brazil when they stumbled upon this fruit that was being served along with smoothies in the beaches. They took an instant liking to the fruit, learn more about it and sensed the immense business potential that it had.
They started a company called Sambazon in California in 1999 to import acai berries from Brazil. As celebrities began acknowledging its immense benefits its popularity grew by leaps and bounds. Today it is the largest selling organic fruit in the United States.
Brazil is home to a large portion of the rainforests and thus benefits most from the export of acai berry. Acai berry harvesting, processing, packaging and export is labor intensive and provides employment to thousands of people in Brazil. It is also a major source of foreign exchange to the Brazilian government.
The active ingredients of the acai berry fruit tend to lose potency within 24 hours of harvesting from the palm tree. Being in close proximity to the Amazon River basin Brazil and Peru are the only countries where harvesting and processing of acai berry can be done on a mass scale.
The acai berry fruit is unique to the tropical rainforests in the Amazon River basin of Brazil. It cannot be transplanted and grown in controlled conditions. Mother Nature has blessed Brazil with diverse flora and fauna. We have been able to discover the acai berry two decades ago. Let us pray for more such discoveries in the future that will benefit mankind.
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Benefits of Organic Acai Berry
Posted on 18. Aug, 2010 by admin.
Acai berry is such a rage in the western world in general and the United States in particular that marketers are using its popularity to make a quick buck. There are a plethora of acai berry products in the market and it is difficult for an average American to identify the spurious products from the original ones.
Being well-informed about the acai berry, its source, processing, etc is the only way to ensure that you procure the original and pure fruit or fruit products to derive optimum benefit. Organic acai berry can be purchased in the form of juice or pulp or freeze dried whole fruit.
Fresh acai berry fruit is not found in the United States. The acai berry is found on palm trees in the rainforests of the Amazon river basin. The active ingredients of the fruit lose their potency within 24 hours after they are plucked. Therefore the whole fruit or pulp has to be processed or freeze dried to ensure that the active ingredients, flavor and taste of the fruit remain intact.
The acai berry has a large seed surrounded by a thick pulp. The seed is not of much significance as it does not have any purported nutritional value. It would be better to avoid products bragging about the spectacular effects of acai seed.
Authentic organic acai berry is immediately processed after harvesting to ensure that the nutritional potency is intact. Sambazon is one of the original reputable companies selling organic acai berry. Always remember that organic acai berry is a tad expensive and will cost approximately twenty dollars. But the health benefits far outweigh the cost.
Companies that sell pure organic acai berry mention the same on the product label. They market their products through local grocery stores and supermarkets. Though they do sell their products online it is only for wider and better accessibility. Spurious marketers on the other hand will pester you to go for a free trial.
Pure organic berry is unfiltered and pasteurized. The whole fruit is either freeze dried or the juice is extracted, packaged and then transported. Organic berry does not have any additives or fillers. Avoid products that have sodium, caffeine or sildenafil on the label.
Do not purchase products that boast about a proprietary formula as organic acai berry has no other ingredients except pure unadulterated acai. It is prudent to purchase organic acai berry from companies that are certified by the USDA to ensure authenticity.
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Benefits of Acai Berry in Comparison with Grapes
Posted on 18. Aug, 2010 by admin.
Grapes are oval or round succulent fruits often referred to as the queen of fruits in view of the wide-ranging health benefits that they provide. They were originally cultivated in Europe thousands of years ago. They reached the United States through Christian missionaries who used them to prepare sacramental wine.
Acai berry is a fruit that became known to the western world only in the latter part of the twentieth century and entered the United States in the late 1980s. It is a major source of protein and an ingredient in the diet of the Indians of the Amazon rainforests since centuries. It has become popular due to the wide publicity given in the electronic, print media and internet.
There are hundreds of varieties of grapes approximately half of which are used for winemaking. The French cuisine is, like any other western diet, composed of saturated fats and oils. But scientists and medical professionals were perplexed at the long lifespan of the French people. They called it the French paradox. Further investigation revealed that the French consumed red wine regularly.
Red wine is composed of grape extract that is full of antioxidants that fight free radicals and slow aging. Grapes contain numerous nutrients like calcium, iron, vitamins, and phytochemicals like polyphenols, anthocyanins, bioflavonoids and sugar.
Resveratrol is an important polyphenol in grapes that prevents atherosclerosis. The high concentration of tannin, saponins and caffeic acid lends grapes the ability to fight microbial infections and cancers. Grape leaves, grape seeds, grape oils and grape extract are each beneficial in their own way.
The amount of antioxidants contained in acai berry is twenty times more than that of grapes. Plenty of omega three fatty acids are found in acai berry while there is no evidence of them in grapes. Acai berry creates an energy boost by speeding up metabolism. It thus contributes to weight loss and burning fat while grapes are not as potent.
Acai berry detoxifies the body with its colon cleansing capacity while grapes are not as capable. Acai berry has no known contraindications or side effects and can be consumed by anyone in combination with any other food item. The sole exception is in case of individuals who are allergic to fruits.
Grapes should not be consumed in combination with milk, fish, watermelons, and mineral water. They should not be consumed by individuals who have a decayed tooth, stomach ulcers and diabetes.
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Acai Berry and Sexual Performance
Posted on 17. Aug, 2010 by admin.
Man has always been in search of something that will provide eternal youth and a life devoid of disease and suffering. This search has taken him to various uncharted territories and hitherto unknown places. He discovered people about whom he knew less and who were living in perfect union with Mother Nature.
The various indigenous tribes that inhabit the thick rainforests in the Amazon River basin are one such group of people. Very little was known about them and their culture, food habits and lifestyle till the Spanish explorers first set foot here about five centuries ago. In the later part of the twentieth century as means of communication and technology made distance irrelevant word spread about the healthy lives led by these tribes.
The secret of their healthy and long lives has been attributed to the food that they consume. Acai berry is a major constituent of their diet. The acai berry is a grape shaped dark purple colored fruit that has a large seed surrounded by pulp.
Sexual performance cannot be perfectly defined. Generally, it is considered to be having a healthy sex drive and achieving sexual fulfillment through intercourse. In males this boils down to achieving an erection, sustaining it long enough through the intercourse and culminating in ejaculation.
Female sexual performance can be assessed by the libido levels, arousal and orgasm. A healthy body, calm and peaceful mind and conducive environment are very essential to ensure good sexual performance.
Acai berry has a high quantity of antioxidants and omega three fatty acids in addition to fiber, iron, vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids. Antioxidants neutralize the free radicals circulating in the body and fight cancer cells. The omega three fatty acids increase the good cholesterol content in the body ensuring a healthy heart.
A normal, healthy individual will have a good sex drive and perform satisfactorily in sexual intercourse. The sexual performance can be affected due to diabetes, cancer, hypertension, neurological problems, hormonal disorders or other medical conditions. Marital discord, work-stress, drug abuse, smoking, alcoholism or other psychological problems also negatively affect the sexual performance.
Acai berry has various beneficial phytochemicals that increase the testosterone levels, balance the adrenal glands in humans and fight various diseases. Due to this there is a boost in energy and endurance levels and increase in stamina. This overall well being translates naturally into good sexual performance that gives both physical and mental fulfillment.
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How Much Acai Berry Is Optimal
Posted on 17. Aug, 2010 by admin.
The Amazon rain forests have provided organic food marketers in the United States a cash cow in the form of acai berry. This grape-like dark purple colored berry is the most sought after organic food due to the wide-ranging beneficial effects it has on general health. Though medical practitioners and scientists acknowledge the beneficial effects of acai berry they opine that further research needs to be done.
The indigenous tribes of the Amazon have been consuming the acai berry for centuries. It is their major source of protein. There are marketers who would like you to believe that there is no upper limit for consumption of acai berry as there are no side effects. Though till date there have been no reported side effects due to consumption of acai berry in pure form common sense dictates that anything in excess could be detrimental.
The quantity of acai berry to be taken daily is determined by the purpose of consumption. If you are sick or recuperating after a major surgery or illness you might have to take large quantities of acai berry to fight off infections and boost immunity levels.
If you are healthy and would like to boost your energy levels and enhance stamina then a moderate dosage would suffice. People looking to cut down flab and reduce weight might have to consume slightly more in addition to regular exercise and a balanced diet.
The whole fruit or pure acai berry juice can be taken three to four times a day along with regular meals. Five servings daily totaling 1000 mg is recommended by some healthcare professionals. However, most people concur with the view that two to four ounces of acai berry juice daily is optimal.
If you are allergic to fruit or suffer from asthma or any other medical conditions then you should consult your doctor before consuming acai berry for the optimal dosage. Some acai berry supplements use caffeine, sodium or other additives. Check the label of the product you are purchasing to know the ingredients as caffeine could be addictive and certain additives might cause allergies.
Excessive consumption of acai berry can cause dyspepsia and diarrhea. It also gives an acidic taste to the mouth due to the vitamin C and vitamin E present in it.
The optimum dosage of acai berry daily could be anywhere between 1000 mg to 4000mg. It is recommended that pure concentrated acai berry be consumed rather than blended versions for best effect.
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Acai Berry versus Maqui Berry – A Comparison
Posted on 16. Aug, 2010 by admin.
Reverend Malthus must be smiling in his grave as countries the world over struggle to find newer methods of food production to feed their populations. Scientific studies lay bare the harmful effects of chemicals that enter the human body through the food chain.
Stranger diseases continue to afflict mankind even as medical science is making rapid strides and finding cures for most diseases thought incurable half-a-century ago. Global warming is no longer a term used by environmentalists and policy makers. It is a reality that most people in a majority of nations across the world see and experience in their daily lives.
These developments have led to an increase in demand for natural and organic food materials especially in the last two decades. Acai berry and Maqui berry are two berries being marketed as natural miracle fruits endowed with the capacity to produce a multitude of health benefits.
Both these fruits are dark purple colored and resemble grapes in appearance and size. Both are exotic fruits. Acai berry grows on palm trees in the rainforests of the Amazon. It was used as food and medicine by the indigenous tribes inhabiting the Amazon river basin. Maqui berry is found in Chile and southern parts of Argentina in the region that lies between the Andes and the South Atlantic Ocean.
Celebrity talk show hosts Rachel Ray and Oprah Winfrey have been endorsing the usage of Maqui and berry Acai berry. Acai berry has received lots of attention in the last 15 years in the print and electronic media while maqui berry entered the US market only three years ago.
The metabolic activities in the body produce certain byproducts like free radicals which accumulate in the body and cause unwarranted effects on health. Scientists have found out that antioxidants help neutralize the effects of free radicals on the body. Both acai berry and maqui berry have lots of antioxidants that help fight cancer, diabetes and hypertension. Vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids are also available in both the fruits.
There is a controversy over which of the fruits is more beneficial. The flavor and taste of acai berry better suits the American palate. Omega three fatty acids are in abundance in acai berry while there is no trace of them in maqui berry. Acai berry has been in use for almost two decades and proved its efficacy while maqui berry is relatively new and untested.
