What is Acai Berry?
Posted on 09. Jul, 2010 by admin in Uncategorized
Native to Central and South America, acai berry is the fruit of the açaí palm. This small, round purple to all most black drupe has caught the attention of people world over within the past decade. Generally, known as a super food, the açaí palm is now widely cultivated for its fruit. A single mature palm bears two harvests annually.
The acai berry fruit is about an inch in size, and as compared to other berries has a large seed in it making the fruit less pulpy. The exocrap (outermost layer of the berry) turns a purple, black or sometimes even a green, upon ripening. The berry is used to flavor juice concentrates, liquorices and ice creams, whereas the seeds are grounded to make livestock food.
An important dietary component of the natives in the Brazilian Amazon, this grape look-alike now is being marketed as a wonder fruit not only for it nutritional value but also for its effectiveness in weight loss programs. The base for these claims are rooted in the acai berry’s high nutritional values, and potent antioxidants – anthocyanins and flavonoids which are known to fight varied diseases, by providing the cells with greater immunity to infections. Acai berry supplement producers claim that the antioxidant property of the berry neutralizes free radicals, thereby, reducing the risk of certain types of cancer and heart conditions.
Rich in nutrients, acai berry contains a good level of proteins, carbohydrates, fiber and essential fatty acids that increase the levels of metabolism and energy in the body. Acai berry is also known to cleanse and detoxify the body, promoting a healthy heart condition by regulating cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.
Acai berry benefits also include sound sleep, mental alertness and weight loss. Weight loss is attributed to the acai berry’s capacity to improve digestion, burn calories, suppress hunger and boost energy levels, all the while supplying the body with essential nutrients. However, these benefits are still under research.
Acai berry’s popularity as a super food has attracted a large number of controversies all that stem from that claim that it helps alleviate diseases and helps in weight loss. As with all berries, acai berry has its fair share of nutrition that has served the indigenous population well over the years. Acai berry is sold as fruit; fresh as well frozen, and as dietary supplement in form of tablets, powdered mixes, concentrates, juice and smoothies.
