The Acai Berry

the Facts

• Anthocyanins are a class of phytochemicals found in red wine believed to contribute to the "French paradox; Today the French have one of the all-time low occurrences of heart problems of the western world in spite of prevalent habits of smoking and a diet quite high in cholesterol and saturated fat.
• Acai pulp contains from 10 to as much as 30 times the anthocyanins found in red wine by equal volume.
• The central anthocyanin in .Acai is cyanidin-3 glucoside; Cyanidin-3- glucoside has been discovered to be 3.5 times stronger than Trolox and the prevailing anthocyanin found in red wine--as indicated in an ORAC analysis.
• Anthocyanins have been found to demonstrate many potential medical effects such as treating fibrocystic disease of the breast and diabetic retinopathy.
• The fatty acid proportion of Acai looks like olive oil, which many experts believe might be the contributing element for the low occurrence of heart-related problems in Mediterranean populations.
• 12% Linoleic a polyunsaturated, essential fatty acid, has the unique capacity to decrease both HL and LDL levels.
• Fatty acids help in the movement and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like Vitamins A, E, D, and K.
• Acai possesses valuable phytosterols.
• Sterols are parts of plant cell membranes delivering many benefits to the human body, mainly the decrease of blood plasma cholesterol.
• Sterols are presently being utilized to treat symptoms connected to BP.

the History

The acai (ah-sigh-ee) berry has been around for thousands of years and not until the 1990's was it introduced to the western world. The acai berry was found to possess tremendous health properties. The acai berry was first used by the tribes of the Amazon jungle as a cure for various ailments. It is estimated that the indigenous tribes people routinely use up to 2,000 of the 3,000 known rainforest fruits for medicinal purposes. The Amazon borders eight different countries and has the world's largest river basin. Not only does the Amazon supply one fifth of the worlds freshwater, it has the highest diversity of birds and freshwater fish. The Amazon is the largest rainforest in the world where one third of all animal and plant species live. The acai berry is just one of these fruits that has been discovered in this vast region. The Shuar tribes are one of these Amazonian tribes that have for centuries, through tradition, kept the use of plants (acai berry) for medicinal purposes.

Shuar medicine men or women are called uwishin (oo-wee-sheen') a healer that works with medicinal plants, somebody who knows all the secrets of the rainforests. Uwishin, have a great deal of knowledge of medicinal plants and their cures, they learn from others, and through experiments from the plants themselves. One plant removes snakes venom from the body. It is the work of the uwishin to research and find solutions to illness.

The acai berry was discovered to have natural antioxidant properties, as well as being a natural cholesterol controller. When eaten it helps reduce the bad cholesterol in our blood and increases the good cholesterol. The tribes of the Amazon knew of these properties and found out that it helped build the immune system, fight infection, protect the heart, and control prostate enlargement (nature's viagra). It was a great energy food for the tribes-people. The acai berry, which is a palm fruit, was traditionally pulped to make wine that was rich in minerals. The acai berry was also discovered to fight schistosomosis, which is transmitted by snails. Schistosomosis affecting more than 10 million Brazilians. The acaí berry is also used to produce an antibiotic that helps to fight against 'Staphylococcus aureus,' a common infection contracted mainly in hospitals. A berry so useful but only known to the traditional tribes men and woman of the Amazon, a lost secret.

The acaí berry comes from a palm that has a long thin trunk up to 25m high with a group of branches at the top from which hangs ribbon-like leaves. Acaí berries hang from these branches in clusters that look like groups of bluebottles. Traditionally the acai berries would be picked by hand and the tribe's men would shimmy up the tree and cut the branches from the top of the palm tree rich in acai berries. Now that the acai berry has been discovered as a highly sort after crop by the population of Brazil it is mass produced, as it only has a 24 hour life span in which the properties of the juice are still active. The acai berries must be loaded into baskets and onto boats soon after picking. To get it to the markets in Belem's they would have to transport the acai berries over night.

Each acai palm tree produces round about 20 kg of fruit per year and the wine produced by this fruit has become the most important product in terms of finance after wood forest products. Belem in Brazil now employs over 30,000 people on a daily basis to keep up with its enormous demand.

So we know where it comes from, what about it's recent history? After being introduced into the western world it was realised by the modern beach going Brazilian surfer as a natural way to regain energy. The acai berry was pulped and frozen to keep it fresh and became a natural additive to the smoothies drunk along the beaches of Brazil. It was known to help your prostate and was seen as a natural viagra for the boys of the beach. It soon became a drink for the trendy, for the sand and surf brigade. 

The researches soon got hold of this magic acai berry and realised that it would be of great importance in the well-being and health of the western world, our diets are often over filled with fat and fast food, acai is naturally full with energy, it has a vibrant taste of berries with a hint of chocolate, is rich in proteins, fibre, vitamin E, minerals and essential Omega oils to reduce our bad cholesterol caused by our western diets. The acai berries fatty acid ratio resembles that of olive oil this is thought to be a contributing factor to low incidence of heart disease in Mediterranean populations. The acai berry contains similar properties as red wine in controlling fats in the blood and is a fair contributor to go up against the wine diets of the Mediterranean people. 

Known as the miracle fruit, acai berries also helps in preventing cancer due to it's antioxidant properties that are five times more potent than gingko biloba, a commonly used herbal therapy product.

Acai berry juice has been introduced into other products like bars and health snacks to be sold at gyms and health spars. It's history is important as by studying the effects that the berry has had on the tribesmen in the Amazon we have discovered that it's traditional use as an energy booster for hunting and good libido has lead to acai berry juice to being a very commercially viable product.

It's most recent history is that it has been endorsed by such talk show hosts as Oprah Winfrey and has been seen as a feature on her show, a berry with star success. So lets say good buy to guranum and hello to the magic acai berry.

More

Acai, a super-fruit packed with a number of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, is receiving recognition and acclaim from a number of health food stores and alternative health care enthusiasts. Acai has even been featured on a number of television shows and news of all the benefits of acai have been broadcast internationally. But what do medical doctors have to say about acai? How healthy is this berry in all its forms, and how often should people use it?

Doctors say that you can receive the adequate amount of antioxidants per day by drinking a glass of red wine with dinner. However, the acai berry has 33 times more antioxidant power than red wine, so it's much more effective in helping the body to fight off free radicals, which are toxins in the air and environment that could damage the immune system. The high concentration of antioxidants in the acai berry also helps to combat premature aging.

Some doctors claim that the acai berry is one of the most nutritious foods in the world. It has been known to lower cholesterol levels in a number of individuals, reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes in both men and women. It's also recommended that individuals drink acai juice to improve the lining of the digestive track, since it has a high fiber content. Consequently, acai consumption on a regular basis could help prevent colon cancer.

Many medical professionals also advise the regular use of acai for elderly patients, since the berry can help slow or even halt premature aging of the brain, and enhance concentration and memory. Acai also reduces the risk of macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 65, and drinking at least one bottle of acai juice a week could reduce the risk of cataracts. Osteoporosis, another major health concern for older patients, can also be treated and prevented with regular servings of acai. The berry contains cisplatin, which strengthens the membranes that hold bones and joints together. Drinking acai juice regular will make bones stronger and less likely to fracture.

In addition to all the things that acai berries have been known to treat and prevent, doctors are still conducting a number of research studies to find out about any other things that acai may have the ability to cure. For instance, studies are currently being done to determine whether or not acai can cure arthritis. The berry has already been known to help prevent arthritis in individuals who are prone to develop the disease over time; however, there have been a couple of cases in which patients have reported being completely cured of arthritis by drinking acai juice. It is not yet determined if acai juice is the principle cause of arthritis elimination, but the berries definitely have healing properties. Because of their anti-inflammatory properties, the berries can also help to improve the appearance of the skin, and can possibly be used to treat acne and rosacea.

Acai juice has also been known to improve sexual health in men, and has often been called the "Amazon Viagra". The acai berry increases energy and stamina; so many men have reported not only improved sexual endurance, but also overall health. The fruit can also prevent prostate cancer because of antioxidants it contains like vitamin C and E, and lycopene, the substance found in tomatoes. Many doctors, especially those in favor of alternative medicine, recommend acai in place of Viagra, since it seems to be just as potent - if not more so. The acai berry can improve the sexual health of women as well; the fruit can help to improve the health of the ovaries, increase libido and overall energy, and even help prevent breast cancer.

With all the many benefits of acai, doctors count this fruit as a positive addition to any diet. With all the additional research pending to determine additional benefits of acai juice, your doctor may prescribe a diet that requires drinking acai juice on a regular basis. Depending on your particular health concerns, you may need to drink more acai juice than others. Acai also comes in powder form, so that you can take it as a daily vitamin supplement. But what exactly is a health dose of acai per day?

Acai berry should be used as one of your servings of fruit per day, but, of course, you can use more than the daily serving if need be. If you want to take a considerable amount of acai per day, it's best to drink the juice, since it's made from the pulp and seeds of the berry. Acai in any other form than its natural state is still questionable in the medical world, so ask your doctor if acai powder is right for you. Discuss your current diet with your doctor (the healthy and not-so-healthy things you eat regularly), as well as your health concerns and current conditions so that your doctor can tell you how much acai juice per day will give you maximum health benefits. You may also want to ask your doctor where you can find acai. Grocery stores don't usually sell acai, so you'll most likely have to buy the juice from a health food store or order it from a major acai juice retailer, like MonaVie.

the Science

The Açai berry may be the most potent of all ‘forgotten fruits' - those raw, whole fruits that are little known or consumed. By any standards, the scientific facts about the Açai berry are most impressive:

- a protein profile similar to an egg

- a fatty acid profile similar to olive oil

- more than 16 phytonutrients and anti-oxidants. A remarkable concentration of antioxidants helps combat premature aging

- 10 times the antioxidants of grapes and twice the antioxidants of blueberries

- contains the leading source of anthocyanins--often reported as 30 times that of the protective potential of red wine. One of the many attributes of anthocyanins is its anti-inflammatory qualities

- excellent source of dietary fiber

- low glycemic index

- copious amount of trace minerals (Co, Cr, Cu, Mo...) and macro minerals (Ca, Fe)

- generous amount of vitamins including vitamin E

- ORAC value (a measure of its antioxidant properties), is higher than any other edible berry on the planet.

- acai berries and cholesterol - Açai berries are high in essential fatty acids & omegas:
• 60% Oleic (omega 9) - a monounsaturated essential fatty acid which helps to lower LDL (harmful cholesterol), while maintaining HDL (beneficial cholesterol).
• 12% Linoleic (omega 6) - a polyunsaturated essential fatty acid which has also been found to lower LDL, while maintaining HDL.

Açai berries also contain many valuable phytosterols. Sterols are compounds of plant cell membranes providing numerous benefits to the Human body, namely the reduction of blood plasma cholesterol.