Mangosteen vs. Acai Berry – A comparison
Posted on 16. Aug, 2010 by admin.
The acai berry is considered to be a magical berry to the people of Brazil. Being found in the Amazonian forests, extracted from the acai palm tree, this berry is small, round and purple in color, resembling a grape. The mangosteen is another exotic fruit found growing in Southeast Asia in places like Thailand, Malaysia and Myanmar. It is also purple in color on the outside and white on the inside, and is a little larger than the acai berry. The acai berry has many beneficial properties that help us lead healthier lives. It is rich in antioxidants and essential amino acids that aid in cell regeneration. The high levels of antioxidants promote anti aging properties as well helps kill cancer cells. Mangosteen consists of a hard rind and the tannins present in the rind have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. These properties help in irritable bowels and other skin problems.
The antioxidants present in the acai berry are in the form of anthocyanins and those present in the mangosteen are in the form of xanthones. The antioxidant levels in the acai berry is said to be higher, however this is not a confirmed fact. But the truth is the anthocyanins present in the acai berry has the property of fighting cancer cells and also helps prevent diseases like Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, and other prevalent heart diseases. This is not necessarily a property of the mangosteen fruit. The antioxidant present in mangosteen has antihistamine properties.
In order to compare the two fruits efficiently it is necessary to consider what conditions one wants to treat. For conditions related to digestive and other stomach disorders, the acai berry has been proven to be most effective. It is a rich source of fiber which promotes digestion and colon cleansing. It also has a high level of phytosterols, which provide the benefits of reducing the blood plasma and LDL. Although mangosteen, containing xanthones can also help stomach inflammation, the acai berry has still proven to be a better alternative.
For eye disorders, the acai berry easily wins over. It contains beta-carotine and is also a rich source of vitamin C thereby helping improve eye sight. This is not the case in mangosteen which hasn’t proved to be of much assistance for those who have problems with their eye sight.
When it comes to mental clarity and energy, the acai berry proves more beneficial again. It contains a high amount of Omega 3, 6, 9 and vitamin B which also helps one get relieved of insomnia. The mangosteen fruit is found to be reasonably effective. Even in the case of energy boosting, the acai berry is put on top. It is a rich source of vitamins, beta-carotene, and vitamins B, C, D and E. It is definitely a better alternative for energy boosting as well.
The acai berry has proven to be the super berry and easily wins over many berries of its kind. But maximum benefits are obtained by making a healthy combination the two fruits as well as other fruits in ones diet. Nature is the best healer, and what better way to heal than trying out these delicious fruits, each unique and tangy in taste!
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What is an Acai Berry Cleanse?
Posted on 16. Aug, 2010 by admin.
The human body usually consists of harmful toxins which you might not be conscious of. Toxins gather inside the body regularly. It could come from air we breathe or from the environment in which we work.
The problem is that our system only rids a small amount of toxin. Harmful substances could accumulate over a span of time. This is because, each time our system tries to dispense the toxins, a minor amount still remains inside the body. Over time, these toxins have a tendency to accumulate along the interior lining of arteries, beside bodily organs. If no extra help is available, these substances could pile up to damaging levels. Our body often requires a booster to cleanse it.
An acai berry cleanse does just that. Its high quantity of electrolytes and antioxidants help in getting rid of injurious elements like hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals. Acai berries are also rich in fiber which helps in cleansing all blockades that prevent you form having easy and smooth bowel movement. In eliminating these blockades, you also prevent associated ailments like hernia, rectal tearing or prolapse and even colon cancer, which could crop up if your constipation remains uncured.
Needless to say, a robust immune system is crucial to keep your bloodstream free from harmful chemicals. Acai berries cleanse the body by assisting in the elimination of waste buildup in the intestines. This enables the immune system in concentrating on the fending off of outside pathogens, rather than microorganisms and bacteria from your colon.
Scientists have found acai berry to consist more than 300 percent more antioxidants than common fruits like grapes or blueberries. The high antioxidant content has made acai berry beneficial to man for cleansing his digestive and excretory system. As we breathe and live, we inhale oxygen. The free radicals ousted this way, accelerates the aging process. The more number of free radicals inside your body, you grow old faster. Conversely, a lesser number of free radicals slow the aging. This is exactly what a detoxification through acai berry does for the body. It reduces the volume of free radicals thereby hindering the aging process.
With an increased understanding of body physiology, people today prefer herbal alternatives to allopathic drugs. Studies have revealed that herbal substances or their derivatives are usually more balanced as against allopathic drugs. No wonder, stuff like acai berry is increasing in popularity as a cleansing agent for the human body.
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Acai Berry versus Goji Berry
Posted on 15. Aug, 2010 by admin.
The acai berry is a small purple colored fruit found in the forests of Amazon. The berry is known worldwide for its many benefits. The other popular berry that is found in the Himalayas is the goji berry. The acai berry is fondly known as the super berry and the goji berry is known as the wolf berry. The goji berry is larger than the acai berry and is green in color. The acai berry is extracted from the acai palm tree while the goji berry is extracted from an evergreen shrub. Both these berries have almost the same properties and prove to be beneficial for good health. They are both rich in vital nutrients that aid in weight loss, purification of blood, and removal of toxins.
The most obvious difference between the two berries is the difference in levels of antioxidants. This is measured using an ORAC scale. ORAC is the acronym for Oxygen Radial Absorbance Capacity. According to this scale, the acai berry is found to be richer in antioxidants than the goji berry. The acai berry contains twice the amount of antioxidants hence making it the superior fruit! Another noticeable point under the topic of antioxidants is that the acai berry contains anthocyanins while the goji berry contains carotenoids, both of which contain phenolics.
The acai berry is also known to contain a higher amount of essential fatty acids along with a greater amount of dietary fiber as compared to the goji berry. The acai juice is said to energize an individual better than the goji juice. The goji juice contains higher levels of carbohydrates and is rich in protein content as compared to the acai berry. For those who may not like fruits, they may be pleased to find that the acai berry tastes like a wonderful mixture of berries along with a tinge of chocolate while the goji berry tastes more like a mixture of nuts.
The acai berry contains a higher level of dietary fiber thus making one feel full for a longer period of time, enabling weight loss. The two berries are almost similar in their benefits and their differences lie mainly in how available they are, how they taste, their antioxidant levels and of course their appearance. Between the two berries, the acai berry is richer in antioxidants which is an important quality making it the superior berry. However, both the berries are beneficial to us. To obtain optimum results, consuming both the berries is suggested.
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Acai Berry for Leukemia Patients
Posted on 15. Aug, 2010 by admin.
The famous acai berry found in the Amazonian rain forests is becoming extensively popular in the field of medicine today. The tiny berry has also proved to be beneficial in controlling the growth of cancer cells. An assistant professor, Mr. Stephen Talcott of The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences claimed that the berry is capable of killing a reasonable amount of leukemia cells when the extracts were applied to them for a day. Consumption of the berry is known to reduce the growth of cancer cells in patients, even if it is not a permanent cure for the disease itself.
It has been proven difficult to do extensive research on the berry regarding its property of fighting cancer cells as they must be consumed within a short period of time after they have been picked. The berry contains, apart from antioxidants, anthocyanins which also help in inhibition of the growth of cancer cells. They slow down the growth of cancer cells that are pre malignant. They also tend to accelerate apoptosis which makes the process of the death of the cancer cells faster. They also aid in preventing newer blood vessels that provide nourishment for tumors from growing.
The way that the berry helps in reducing the growth of the cancer cells is by setting up a self-destructing mechanism that result in curbing the growth. Drinking the juice made from the berries helps destroy the free radicals that enter our body in the form of pollution and smoke that can result to be cancerous. As a result of its antioxidant properties the effects of the berry along with chemotherapeutic drugs can help in the treatment of cancer.
To understand how antioxidants help in preventing cancer we must first understand what the concept of free radicals is. Those molecules with electron shells that aren’t completely are called free radicals. This property makes these molecules are generally more reactive than molecules with completely filed electron shells. Free radicals occur most commonly in the oxygen molecule. When the molecule is charged electrically it steals electrons from the surrounding molecules thus damaging the DNA. If this damage occurs continuously, it leads to cancer.
The best way of combating these cancer cells is to consume the pulp in its fresh state or in the form of juice. It is important to keep in mind that the berry is not a direct cure for cancer and leukemia patients shouldn’t place their hopes entirely on the berry itself. Instead they should consider a healthy combination of the prescribed chemotherapic drugs along with fresh acai berry products.
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Acai Berry and Acne Prevention
Posted on 14. Aug, 2010 by admin.
The acai berry, found in the forests of Brazil, is one of the most beneficial fruits today. It may be small in size, but it does a variety of good to the human body. The body needs a number of essential nutrients, but with the fast pace of our lives today, our body is suffering a prominent loss of nutrients. This little berry is found to help us overcome this loss and bring us back to good health! One of the vital uses of the acai berry is in skin treatment. This is achieved due to the large number of antioxidants present in the berry.
The acai berry contains a number of vital nutrients and fatty acids that have a huge effect on the production of prostaglandins which regulate hormones. It also helps in regulating the sebum production in our skin. In addition to this, the berry helps in the neutralization of the free radicals that have such a negative effect on our body and skin. Skin rashes and baby acne eczema is also prevented.
Finding a suitable supplement containing the right amounts of acai berry is essential. The supplement should be in its purest form, that is, free from any sort of additives, like guarana or excessive sugar, as it could result in excessive male hormones and secretion of oil only worsening the acne condition. On finding a supplement that seems to suit the needs of the individual, one must be sure to notice the manufactured dated and the expiry date and make sure that they aren’t too far apart. If they are, then the supplement surely contains artificial preservatives.
The acai berry contains all the vital nutrients to get rid of chronic and recurring acne along with the benefit of purifying the blood. But one can experience the true results of the berry only by regular consumption of it in its purest state rather than in fancy packages. Along with a daily consumption of the super berry, maintain a healthy lifestyle with foods rich in vitamins and minerals for an astounding overall effect.
The major advantage of using the acai berry to clear acne and other skin problems is that it cleanses the body from within and detoxifies blood naturally. The fact that this magical berry is natural and works at its full potential when consumed in its crude state makes it completely free from any side effects. The Acai berry has lived true to its name – the super berry!
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Benefits of Acai Berry for your Skin
Posted on 14. Aug, 2010 by admin.
The acai berry is a small, purple colored fruit found in the dense forests of the Amazon. Since its discovery, it has been a vital part in the diet of the Brazilians. This berry is rich in a number of nutrients and antioxidants which aid in maintaining healthy, glowing skin. The skin on our face is thinner than the skin on the rest of our body, thus being more sensitive and prone to allergies and bacteria. Also, the sun rays darken our skin tone and cause wrinkles. The acai berry is now an essential part of skin care products helping restore youthful skin.
The antioxidants have the property of destroying the dead skin cells and promoting the growth of new cells. It is however not very easy to extract the berry, but once successfully extracted, it can do wonders to your health and skin! The acai berry reduces the level of free radicals, thus reducing wrinkles, spots and acne. The antioxidants present in the acai berry is considered to be insufficient for the body, hence in order to get enough of antioxidants from the berry, acai products that are frozen is the best resort. These antioxidants are helpful as they contain phytochemicals that slow the aging process.
The berry also contains Omega 6 and Omega 9; the two fatty acids that help reduce cholesterol and restore damaged skin. The berry can be consumed in drinks such as smoothies and sorbets. One of the prime manufactures of edible products containing the acai berry is Sambazon, helping people include the berry in their daily diet. For those who do not wish to consume the berry in drinks or food items, can turn to various skincare treatments such as facial masks. This is prepared by crushing the berry and applying it directly to the skin.
The famous talk show host, Oprah Winfrey has to be given credit for popularizing the berry and its benefits. After her show on the berry, a number of different acai products have reached the shelves in stores in America. The popularity of the berry is thriving in the US in a number of beauty conscious states like California. A lot of people are turning to the products that contain the berry to pamper themselves and receive its antioxidant benefits at the same time.
The acai berry is rightfully referred to as the super berry as it is far more beneficial than some of the super fruits like pomegranate, blueberries and grapes, to mention a few. The acai berry helps us to forget our skin problems giving us greater confidence to hold our heads high!
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Acai Berry and its Omega 3 Benefits
Posted on 13. Aug, 2010 by admin.
The acai berry is nature’s super food to mankind. It may not be as popular as many other health foods but is packed with all the required nutrition. Acai is a high energy berry harvested in the Brazilian rain forests and belongs to a special Amazon palm tree. The berry is packed with antioxidants, essential fatty acids and amino acids. It tastes like a good combination of chocolate and berries. It has a deep purple pigment which encapsulates the required energy.
The fatty acid present in this berry is similar to that of olive oil and is extremely rich in monounsaturated oleic acid. Omega 3 and Omega 6 acids are the EFAs (Essential Fatty Acids) that the body cannot make and so should be derived from food. Oleic acid facilitates omega 3 oils to seep in through the cell membrane making them supple. It is instrumental in making the hormones, insulin receptors and neurotransmitter function effectively. It prevents the high levels of insulin from reaching an inflammatory state thereby delaying the process of aging.
The presence of EFAs in acai berry helps in myriad other ways. Lack of these nutrients could result in skin rashes, infertility, risk of infection and retarded growth. Acai helps in effective functioning of the brain and in physical development. Children who have attention deficit disorder are likely to lack the omega 3 acids which can be considerably supplemented by the acai. Research shows that dehydration of the mouth and eye and certain types of arthritis occur due to lack of omega 3 acids.
Yet another very common health issue, especially in women, is osteoporosis. Increasing the intake of omega 3 acids has been identified to improve the bone density. These fatty acids also improve levels of calcium and help in developing a stronger bone structure. Studies have also shown that menopausal symptoms and PMS have considerably improved by consuming omega 3 acids adequately.
There are many foods that could provide these nutrients at varying levels. The acai berry is a wonderful natural source of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. These EFAs also help in lowering LDL (bad cholesterol) and maintaining HDL (good cholesterol). The berry also improves the rate of metabolism and prevents hunger pangs thereby aiding weight loss. The presence of healthy fats and dietary fiber helps in promoting digestive and cardiovascular health. There are numerous benefits of EFAs that can be derived from consumption of the acai berry.
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All about Acai Berry Pulp
Posted on 13. Aug, 2010 by admin.
The No1.superfood was discovered not too long ago by the modern world in the early nineties, but has been known to the Amazonian tribes for centuries. These purple colored berries are often mistaken for grapes, which they resemble quite closely in shape and size. Blueberries are a close cousin of acai berries when it comes to size.
Surprisingly only about ten percent of an Acai berry fruit consists of pulp, the rest being non edible nut and must be separated carefully to yield a thick dense pulp. The berries are picked everyday from palm like trees in the forests and dried quickly within twenty four hours.
It tastes more like a blueberry with just a hint of chocolate and its nutritional and healing properties are legendary. Celebrities like Oprah Winfrey swear by it and it has featured in numerous television shows extolling its health benefits. About eight species of the Acai berries are grown on slender and tall palm leaves in South America from Belize, Peru to Brazil mostly raised in swamps and floodplains of the Amazon basin.
The mesocarp contained within the deep purple exocarp yields the thick juicy pulp which may sometimes exceed more than 1mm thickness. This pulp of the berry is what the world seems to be after. Fresh pulp is hard to transport, so frozen berry pulp is hauled all the way to United States and Europe. The market for this amazing fruit is growing rapidly and its demand sometimes outstrips supply.
The jungle tribes of the Amazon used the berry pulp as a major food source for their energy needs and also as a libido booster. Acai Berries contain linoleic acid and oleic acid that are essential fatty acids. These are proven agents to lower low density lipoprotein LDL and raise high density lipoprotein HDL for a healthy heart.
Anthocyanins in the fruit are a particular class of antioxidants which are very powerful in combating premature ageing. Brazil is proud to have these amazing Acai berries considered to have the best nutritional value in the entire fruit world. Of all the fruits considered it has the highest antioxidant properties.
Rich fiber content in the berries helps lower blood pressure and improves digestion. High fiber also helps fight certain types of cancer and prevents cancer cell from mutating. Perfect amino acid complex in the fruit helps proper contraction and regeneration of body muscles resulting in developed muscles for strength and endurance.
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Acai Berry Facts
Posted on 12. Aug, 2010 by admin.
The acai berry is a small purplish colored fruit, extensively found in Brazil and Peru, particularly in the Amazon rainforest. Acai berry has been an integral part of the diet of people living in the Amazon area for years. It is often compared to grape due to similarity in both appearance and size but its pulp content is slightly less as compared to a grape. In fact, only 10% of the fruit can be considered as the edible pulp or berry, the other 90% of it are mostly seed and pit.
These berries are found atop Acai palm trees, often referred to as the ‘Tree of life ‘, that grow in the dense Amazon rainforests of South and Central America. Harvesting them can be a very tough job due to their fragility. Since they are found only at the top of the trees, harvesters have to carefully climb and pick them before the pulp can be extracted from them for further processing. They are extremely rich in fatty content hence when once picked, their potential benefits last for just about a day. The berry gets rancid and loses its nutritional contents after that. Owing to this, the acai pulp is freeze dried and frozen before it can be shipped to other locations for further use.
Acai berry offers a vast range of benefits. Effective weight loss, strengthening the immune system, boosting energy levels, improving blood circulation, flushing out toxins from the body’s system and the list goes on. Acai Berry has the highest ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) amongst the fruits of its category which makes it the most effective in fighting the damages caused by free radicals in daily life. Its antioxidant content is said to be unsurpassable, more than any other fruit in the world.
A 100 gm extract of acai pulp contains 52.2 gm of Carbohydrates, 8.1 gm of Proteins and 32.5 gm of fat. Of the Carbohydrate part, 44.2 gm is Fiber, which is known to be excellent for the digestive system and helps in keeping the blood sugar levels low. It has also been scientifically discovered and proved that Acai berry contains up to 19 different types of amino acids, which help in body metabolism and protein building and a high level of Omega 3,6, and 9 fats all of which acts as appetite suppressants.
Acai berry is even under study for its potential ability to fight cancer cells and is also known to slow down premature ageing, rejuvenate skin, increase libido and many more amongst other benefits. Without a thought, the benefits offered by this ‘Superfruit’ from the Amazon are unrivaled.
References:
http://www.best-home-remedies.com/review/acai-berry/index.html
http://hubpages.com/hub/Acai-Juice—The-Straight-Facts
http://www.ayurvedic-medicines.com/acai-berry/acai-berry.html
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How does Acai Berry Help in Increasing Energy, Libido and Stamina?
Posted on 12. Aug, 2010 by admin.
Acai berry is touted by many around the world as the number one ‘super fruit’ due to the benefits it offers to the human body. They include aiding in weight loss, fighting against ageing, increasing body immunity, increasing energy, improving digestion, rejuvenating skin, increasing body metabolism, flushing out toxins from the system, increasing sexual power, fighting cancer cells and many more.
Acai berry contains up to 19 different types of amino acids along with both omega 6 and omega 9 fatty acids. The amino acids serve as an excellent source of carbohydrates and fibers which helps in increasing the body metabolism to an exceptional extent. This facilitates a swift detoxification process and makes the impurities move much faster from the system. As a result the nutrients are processed at a much faster rate. This causes these nutrients to be assimilated in the body and quickly converted into energy resulting in a tremendous improvement of your overall energy
The acai berry is extensively rich in protein and dietary fiber. The fiber content in acai berry said to be around 40%. This fiber is supposed to be excellent for the human digestive system and helps in maintaining low blood sugar levels. These low sugar levels also contribute to an increase in energy levels. The fatty acids present in acai berry along with a number of vitamins increases the body’s metabolism by a considerable amount causing the body to burn more calories even in a state of rest. This also helps in increasing the energy levels. This overall increase in energy levels is one of the main reasons behind the increase in stamina resulting from consumption of acai berries.
Acai berry is widely known to enhance one’s sexual performance. It is also recommended by some doctors to couples having pregnancy related complications. An acai berry diet reinvigorates you sex life by improving blood circulation in both body and mind. It is often referred to as the “Amazon rainforest Viagra” by many in Brazil. Acai berry enhances the overall functioning of the body, revitalizing blood flow and flushing toxins and poisonous ions from the body. The combined effect of these factors alone helps in increasing one’s libido.
Obesity has often proven to be a major hurdle in sex life. Acai berry is known to aid in miraculous weight loss. Losing considerable weight naturally gives a boost of confidence and subsequent improvement in sexual performance leading to a better sex life. Its potent ability to increase energy and stamina also contribute to a considerable extent in increasing sexual performance in addition to an increase in testosterone levels which further stimulate libido.
References:
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/acai-berry-the-natural-libido-booster-758167.html
http://www.acaiberrysideeffects.tv/benefits-of-the-acai-berry/
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/acai-berry-3-exciting-health-benefits-that-may-surprise-you-624415.html
http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/acai-berries-and-acai-berry-juice-what-are-the-health-benefits
http://acaiberryremedy.com/tag/nutrition
