acai benefits

The Acai berry is a well-kept secret of the Amazon

The acai berry from the Amazonian flood plains has long been used by the natives in Brazil. This dark purple palm fruit, the size of a blueberry, has been shown to have tremendous health enhancing powers found in its antioxidant rich, dark purple pulp. The natives consumed it fresh or turned it into wine. The world is just beginning to discover this small, wonder berry's health promoting, curative properties and its benefits for health and beauty by tapping into its secrets.

The acai berry, pronounced ah-sigh-ee in Portuguese, is the fruit of the palm tree Euterpe oleracea that grows naturally all over Brazil, in the rain forests of the Amazon plains. The fruits grow in large clusters between the palm's ribbon-like leaves. The thin layer of edible, purple pulp around a large seed has long been used by natives for skin and digestive disorders. The ripe berries which are a rich dark purple are hand harvested and the pulp quickly separated and frozen immediately to preserve all its properties. Research into the acai berry has found it to be power packed with healthy goodness.

The acai berries have been found to contain extremely high concentrations of the colorful and potent antioxidant flavonoids called anthocyanins, also found in red wine and known to help lower cholesterol levels, protect blood vessels, reduce inflammation, including of the prostrate and therefore known as the local Viagra, fight cancer cells and provide immediate energy. It also provides proteins and fiber and is known to contain the fatty acids omega-6 and omega-9 in addition to essential amino acids.

This humble berry has been gaining in popularity due to these health enhancing properties. Health buffs, natural cure seekers and good health seekers have finally found a new, single source for concentrated vitamins and antioxidants, fiber and protein, fatty acids and minerals. This single source increases stamina, improves circulation thus improving mental focus, reduces cholesterol, improves digestion and fights cancer. Its anti oxidant properties are tens of times more than those of grapes, olives, red wine and other plant products.

Already specialty and organic grocery stores, whole food retailers and health food stores are stocking acai berry products as pure frozen juice and pure frozen pulp. In addition, several Internet sites offer good quality products. It is very important to buy acai berry products from reliable sources so that there has been no loss of nutrients due to delays in processing or storage. Unreliable sources could sell low quality products which have lost their vitamin and antioxidant properties due to freezing delays or improper collection.

The Amazonian farmers have long worked with these berries and continue to traditionally harvest, package and quickly freeze the berries so that all the nutritional benefits and fabulous taste are preserved. Today they share their secret miracle with the rest of the world. The health benefits of this purple berry elixir should soon make it popular enough to be able to buy it in your own local grocery store.