Acai
Berry:
The
Amazon Acai Berry
Until
recently, the acai berry was little known, but times are beginning
to change. Today more and more people are discovering the health enhancing
power of this antioxidant-rich berry from the Amazon.
The acai
berry is a dark purple berry that is rich in nutrients, including
antioxidant vitamins. The acai berry grows naturally on the top of
certain palm trees found in the rain forests of Brazil and the Amazon.
The fruit is harvested in the wild by local farmers and then frozen
to preserve its nutritional value.
Acai
berries contain high concentrations of anthocyanins -- the same substance
thought to give red wine its many health benefits. The acai berry
also contains large amounts of protein and fiber, as well as healthy
omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids.
It's
not hard to see why the acai berry and its fruit pulp has been gaining
popularity. You always hear health-conscious individuals talking about
things like antioxidants, protein, fiber, and fatty acids, and the
little acai berry contains a ready source of all of them.
You don't
have to go on safari to purchase acai berries and their juice. Health
food stores, whole food retailers, and online outlets sell acai berries
in different forms, including fresh frozen juice made from the berry's
rich pulp. As the acai berry grows in popularity, it won't be surprising
seeing traditional grocery stores carrying the exotic fruit in the
future. But until the acai berry appears on Oprah, you can find it
regularly at specialty and organic grocery stores.
When
shopping for acai berry products, be sure that the acai berry is wild
harvested and quickly frozen to retain its maximum nutrient value.
Products that have sat on the shelf too long or were packaged improperly
will lose a significant portion of their health benefits.
Disclaimer:
Throughout this entire website, statements are made pertaining to
the properties and/or functions of food and/or nutritional products.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration
and these materials and products are not intended to diagnose, treat,
cure or prevent any disease.