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Learn the facts about Acai
   
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When it comes to opportunities to enjoy good food, Paradise Island of the Bahamas is aptly named. On this small island, the cuisines of the world are represented. There are a wide .....
One of the most nutritious berries on the market, the acai
berry, is found in the rain forests of South America . Arguably
the most nutritious berry, the acai (A sci EE) berry has more
nutrients in it than any other berry currently on the market.
The berry comes the from the acai palm, where it grows in
strings. The palm itself is 15-25 meters tall with multiple
trunks. The average palm has four to eight trunks, each one four
to six inches in diameter, but palms with as many 25 trunks
aren't uncommon. The fruit itself is under an inch in diameter,
with a single large seed inside. The palm grows best in low-lit
swampy areas, such as are found in the Brazilian rain forest,
but it has been spread by animals throughout the Amazon basin.
Each trunk produces four to eight bunches of berries throughout
the year, with the dry season seeing the largest fruit
production. An acai palm generally doesn't start producing fruit
until it is about four to five years old.
The acai palm was originally harvested for its palm hearts,
taking the place of another palm that had been harvested almost
to the point of extinction. The multiple trunks of the acai palm
can be removed, and the palm's trunks will grow back. Acai palms
now provide most of the world's palm hearts, but over-harvesting
is becoming a problem. However, as the palm hearts aren't as
profitable as the acai berry juice is becoming, and as palm
heart production is sustainable, the palm's berries may save the
trees in the long run.
From the acai palm (euterpe oleracea) comes both its berries and
the palm heart (a cluster of new leaves, also known as
"cabbage). It grows quickly in the swamps of Brazil, Guyana, and
Suriname. Not only is it used for food; the fronds themselves
are used to thatch homes as well as for weaving.
The juice of the acai berry is also used in the preparation of
patients for MRI scans of the gastrointestinal tract as a
contrasting agent. Another use is as an astringent, an agent
that contracts or shrinks tissues, which decreases secretions
and controls bleeding.
The locals use acai to create creams, and in a porridge with
manioc meal, bananas, or even fish. The seed makes an excellent
fertilizer (it has even started to be used for this in the
United States), and can even be seen in local handicrafts (most
notably necklaces). Specific parts of the plant can be burned to
produce an insect repellent. The palm hearts are used for
salads, creams, stuffing, and even the feeding of domesticated
animals, and the roots are used in herbal remedies for maladies
such as bleeding and worms. Different parts of the acai palm
have been used to cure a wide range of diseases such as anemia,
diarrhea, fever, liver diseases, malaria, and muscle and
menstrual pain.
Most important is the acai berry. Besides being used for juice,
it is also used as a flavoring and colorant in wines and
liqueurs. The berries are an excellent source of essential fatty
acids (Omega-3 and Omega-6) plus oleic acid (Omega-9), which are
good for lowering low-density lipoprotein levels. The berry also
contains phytosterols (compounds of plant cell membranes), which
help reduce blood plasma cholesterol.
The berries contain amino acids and vital trace elements vital
to muscle contraction and regeneration, and they also provide
dietary fiber (excellent for dietary tract health). Acai berries
possess high levels of calcium, vitamins a and e, and
phosphorus, as well as high concentrations of polyphenols,
making them an excellent source of antioxidants. In fact, it's a
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much better source of antioxidants than foods such asRadisson cruises come under the flagship of six star luxury cruises offering an opportunity to explore and discover three .....
blueberries, oranges, and even red wine.
Studies show a link between the use of antioxidants and
increased longevity, and antioxidants also help in the fight
against premature aging, cancer, cardiovascular and
ophthalmological diseases, and other age-related degenerative
problems. Acai may also help boost brain activity, support
healthy cholesterol levels, make the skin healthy and supple,
and provide natural energy.
Acai berries may be a proverbial "Fountain of Youth." Comparing
them to milk, the berries contain 3 times as many lipids, seven
times as many carbohydrates, 118 times more iron, nine times as
much Vitamin B1, and eight times as much Vitamin C. They also
have the same amount of protein and calcium as milk.
Acai juice is popular among the locals where it grows, and is
seen as a "poor man's juice." In a single day, 400,000 pounds of
fruit is sold daily in just one city. The juice is served in
plastic bags, and goes for about $2 per liter in some areas,
making it very affordable for even the poorest families. The
fruit itself is also a staple in the diets of many locals,
especially when mixed with manioc to create porridge.
In short, the acai palm is used for a number of things from art
to repellent to medicine, and its berries are starting to a find
their way into a number of dietary supplements. The berries have
definite value as part of a healthy diet.
Todd Levering provides no-hype facts about the health benefits
of the acai berry. To get unbiased information about the acai
products visit his acai berry
website at http://acaipro.com
About the author:
Todd Levering is the publisher of a website that provides
no-nonsense information about the acai berry. To get more info
about acai berry research and products that are made with the
acai fruit, visit http://acaipro.com