Acai berries are the fruit of a tall palm tree which grow in clusters in the northern Brazilian rainforest. The fruit hangs in groups from the limbs. They are such a dark blue that they sometimes look black and are about the size of blueberries. They are eaten raw, turned into wine, and used in desserts, similar to blueberries in the United States and elsewhere. They are considered as an exotic fruit outside of the Brazilian rainforest, but they are as normal in their region as blueberries are in the cooler climes. These berries do not take to shipping whole, so they are juiced or shipped as a frozen pulp, or freeze dried for health food store supplement use.
The berries are very high in antioxidants which fight the inflammation that goes hand in hand with many diseases. Acai seems to act against cancer and especially leukemia cells, according to some medical studies. The juice provides dark colored flavonoids called anthocyanins, as well as plant sterols, vitamin A, oleic acid, calcium, and some amino acids. The juice is very costly, so expect to find it mixed with other juices like blueberry or pomegranate. Avoid juices with added sugar or sweeteners. Acai is a natural COX enzyme inhibitor, so it can help to reduce pain in the same way as Ibuprofen. The oleic acid and beta-sitosterol help to keep cholesterol under control. Anti-inflammatory agents add to the cardiovascular benefits of this beverage. Acai berries have about two times the antioxidant capabilities of blueberries.
The pulp will keep refrigerated for a few days, or for a few months frozen. You can add it to smoothies or blend with other fresh juices from other fruits. Just 4 ounces per day supply the antioxidant punch of 13 servings of the more easily recognized produce. It also contains glucosamine for joint health, omega 3 fatty acids, and plant sterols.
Acai berries, as well as any other healthy food, are not a magic potion for optimum health. They are a healthy addition to your diet and whenever you add them you are providing a buffer to unhealthy food choices, which many times come up because your body is just trying to get nutrients which it really craves and it is simply not getting. These berries, in the form of the pulp which are added to smoothies and other foods, you are building a total nutritional solution for optimal health. The antioxidants alone are a great reason to add them to the diet. Whenever you eat polyunsaturated seed oils that the health gurus prefer to claim are so healthy for us, you are really consuming oils which easily oxidize in your body. When added to the other oxidative stresses within the body, pollution, and other unhealthy aspects of modern living, you really need to consume as many antioxidants as you can from a variety of sources. The best choices are the reds and dark blues from the berries.
Please beware of the scams and cons based around acai. They operate by providing something free like a sample "dose". They stealthily offer to do this if you pay for the shipping, and they obtain your credit card in the process. You don't know what they will charge to that credit card in the future. They might start charging you a recurring charge for some service, so be careful.
Acai berries are a super antioxidant filled and nutrient rich addition to your diet, and if you make them a regular part of your culinary choices you may reap the benefits for many years to come in the form of a longer or at the very least a healthier life.
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