Acai Berries: A Key to a Healthier Body 

Nutritional value:Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and E are all present in Acai. Acai berries contain as much Vitamin C as blueberries and has over 1000 IU of Vitamin A for every 100 grams of Acai. In addition, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc are all found in Acai.  

      You would think anything this healthy must taste terrible - however, just the opposite is true. Acai has in fact,  a berry and chocolate flavor that is truly unique and delicious.  

      Acai has been used for many generations by the natives of Brazil. Acai boasts 10 times the antioxidant benefits of grapes and twice that of blueberries.The Acai has been harvested and consumed for centuries and consumed by theYanomami Indians who, as NBC Today reported, “have believed for centuries that the Acai holds unique power.” It is only in the last 3-5 years that the benefits of the Acai were discovered by the Brazilian elite and North Americans who ate the imported and highly perishable berry primarily as a frozen slush.

      The Acai Berry which is commonly pronounced a-sigh-ee, is a rather small, round, and black-looking purple. It resembles a grape or a blueberry, but is yet smaller and darker. This fruit has a large seed and minimum amount of pulp. The acai fruit berry is now broadly used in energy juices, ice cream, certain energy bars with granola.

What are the Chief Health Benefits that have made Acai Berry Famous?

• Fights cancerous cells   
• Boosts energy levels                                         
• Slows down the aging process
• Promotes healthier and younger-looking skin
• Alleviates diabetes
• Normalizes and regulates cholesterol levels
• Helps maintain healthy heart function
• Minimizes inflammation
• Improves circulation
• Prevents atherosclerosis
• Enhances visual acuity

Additional benefits are: 

• Improves digestive function
• Improves mental clarity/focus
• Promotessound sleep
• Provides all vital vitamins
• Contains several important minerals
• Is an extremely powerful free radical fighter
• Acai has very high levels of fibers
• Cleanses and Detoxifies the body of infectious toxins
• Strengthens your immune system
• Enhances sexual desire and performance

      With all the excitement surrounding Acai it can be hard to believe that a small 2cm in diameter berry can be a #1 superfood in America as explained by Dr. Perricone on Oprah. However, once you take a look at the nutritional profile of Acai you will see why it may be one of the most perfect fruits in the world.

      While there are many nutrients in the Acai berry, clearly the antioxidants are the major reason for the health benefits of Acai. Scientifically, the Acai berry stands up to the praise and the scrutiny. This little, dark purple berry that dangles in clusters from the 25 foot Acai palm, nutritionally, has the ingredients of an ideal food: the protein profile of an egg, essential fatty acids (omega 3,6, and 9) similar to olive oil, a leading source of anthocyanins, often reported as 30 times that of the protective potential of red wine. (Of the many attributes of anthocyanins is its anti-inflammatory qualities), high in fiber, copious amounts of trace (i.e. Co, Cr, Cu, Mo) and macro minerals (i.e. Ca, Fe), packed with vitamins, including natural vitamin E (mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols), and an excellent source of plant sterols, particularly Beta-Sitosterol which is associated with cholesterol lowering capabilities.  

      If you want to stay healthy and feel energetic and young, the key is a good diet and exercise. It is true that when it comes to eating a good diet - you really can do no better than starting with a healthy portion of Acai berries.