Acai Berry

 
Açaí is pronounced (Ah-Sigh-EE or AH-Sci-EE) stressing the last syllable. 
 
Description
The Açaí berry is small, round and has a deep, rich black and purple color. It is similar in size and appearance to a grape but has very little pulp. Açaí is the seed of a palm called "euterpe olerácea", which is a native plant of the Amazon Rainforest.  The berry has a single large seed about 7–10 mm in diameter and this seed makes up about 80% of the fruit.

Taste: The Açaí berry has a unique and delicious tropical fruit flavor. The Açaí berry tastes a bit like wild raspberry with a hint of grape. Most people have trouble putting their finger on the taste because it's very different. Some people also say it tastes something like grapes mixed with strawberries.


Açaí palms in Brazil
Uses
The juice and pulp of açaí fruits are frequently used in various juice blends,smoothies, sodas, and other beverages. In northern Brazil, açaí is traditionally served in gourds called "cuias" with tapioca and sometimes sugar. Açaí has become popular in southern Brazil where it is consumed cold as açaí na tigela ("açaí in the bowl"), mostly mixed with granola - a fad where açai is considered as an energizer. Açaí is also widely consumed in Brazil as an ice cream flavor or juice.

Nutritional Content
The Perricone PromiseAçaí is now known as the one of the most powerful and tasty antioxidants available in the world of vegetables and fruits. Named first on the world's top ten list of 'super foods' by Dr. Nicholas Perricone on the Oprah Winfrey show, scientific experts have referred to the açai berry as the most nutritious and powerful food in the world.

Acai is rich in the following beneficial nutrients:

Antioxidants

Phytonutrients - compounds that come from edible plants.
Essential Fatty Acids (Omega 3, 6, & 9) These mono-saturated essential fatty acids help lower LDL (harmful cholesterol) while supporting levels of the beneficial HDL cholesterol.
Vitamins: B1, B2, B3, C, E
Minerals: Iron, Potassium, Phosphorus, Calcium
Complex Carbohydrates
Dietary Fiber (7 grams / 100 grams)
Having nearly one-third of its mass as dietary fiber, açaí is an exceptional source of this valuable macronutrient: a 100 g serving of the powder would provide all the recommended fiber needs for adults (20-30 g per day).
Amino acids - A recent study found 19 amino acids in pulp and skin powder, with especially high contents of aspartic acid and glutamic acid
Trace minerals: copper, iron, calcium, cobalt, chromium and manganese
Natural Vitamin E; to protect against aging
  

The Acai Berry is a dense source of a particular class of flavonoids called anthocyanins. a powerful family of antioxidants that assists in neutralizing the harmful effects free radicals can have on the body. Flavonoids are a division of plant polyphenols which might have potential antioxidant abilities; researchers are currently studying Anthocyanins for their anti-aging and anti-cancer potential. They are also now under investigation for their unique ability to stop LDL cholesterol, reduce blood clotting, and even guard cells against harmful carcinogens.

Benefits
Is Your Gear Ready for the Gridiron?• Higher energy levels and greater stamina
• Improved mental clarity/focus
• Promotes sound sleep
• Improved cholesterol levels due to essential fatty acids
• Cleanses and detoxifies your body
• Antioxidants to help combat free radicals and premature aging
• Enhances sexual desire and performance
• Boosts immune system
• Helps to reduce physical injuries & speed up recovery
• Support for Cardiovascular System and improves blood circulation.
• Improves digestion
• Anti-inflammatory
• Very high levels of fibers
 
ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity)
ORAC is a method of measuring antioxidant capacities of different foods.  It was developed by the scientists at the National Institute of Aging in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Baltimore, Maryland, but it does not mean that this method is approved by NIH.

Acai Berry's ORAC value is higher than any other edible berry on the planet. A recent paper by Schauss et al. published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry reported an extremely high total ORAC value of 1027 micromoles TE per gram for a freeze-dried fruit pulp and skin powder from the Acai berry (Euterpe oleracea). This is the highest ORAC value ever reported for a fruit or vegetable to this date, after converting values of fresh food weights to dry weights.


* Portions of this article are licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Acai Palm".

 

Disclaimer

The statements in this website have not been evaluated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Any information provided on this web site is intended for
informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical care from your physician. The information and products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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