Oct
The Acai (ah-sigh-EE) berry is a tiny, round, dark purple berry that grows wild in the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil. The fruit grows on the Acai palm tree which is tall and slender and grows quickly and best in swampy areas. Each Acai berry palm tree grows its fruit in small - medium clusters and looks similar to a grape but is smaller and darker. It has a large seed in the center and has less skin than a grape.
To obtain the most nutritious Acai content, the turnover from harvesting to the processing of this berry must be excessively fast. The Acai berries are soaked in water until they are softened and the pit can be removed leaving only the remaining skin and pulp. The Acai berry is considered to be one of the most nutritious fruits in the Amazon and possibly the world and there are many health benefits and bonuses to consuming this Acai wonder berry. It is most often consumed and used as an anti-inflammatory, an antibacterial, an antioxidant, an antimutagenic, as a cardiovascular system supporter, to increase energy and promote healthier skin and hair.
With the increasing demand for Acai in both the US and Worldwide markets the uses for Acai are also increasing. Currently the Acai berry is mostly converted into a powder or juice and is used in energy drinks, ice cream, energy bars, protein bars and protein shakes. Other uses include adding this berry to smoothies, desserts, soups and even stews.
Sports Illustrated for Women (September 2003) called the Acai fruit “One of the 41 Top Things on Earth,” and the “optimum fruit you’ve never heard of.” This super berry has also received rave reviews from the Men’s Health Journal, Well Being Sciences Institute and Vogue. The Acai berry is currently being tested for more than just health properties. It is being tested in its ability to be used as a dyeing agent used in the human body for the preparations of MRI scans of the gastrointestinal tract.
Tags: acai, acai berry, acai fruit, brazil, health benefits, increase energy, nutritious, pulp