Acai Berry

Up until a few years ago, most people had never heard of this tiny berry. However, it
has recently become the buzz word amongst health experts around the world and has
been swiftly elevated to the status of ‘superfood’.

The acai berry is found in the Amazon rainforest and we all know that so much of nature’s rich bounty lives in this incredible corner of the world. Indeed, new plants are being discovered every day that are having a dramatic impact on the pharmaceutical and health industries. Natural remedies are being discovered that could have amazing benefits for the treatment of various diseases.
 
The acai berry is becoming a tried and tested product for people looking for all manner of health benefits. In conjunction with a healthy diet and plenty of regular exercise, an acai berry supplement can offer assistance to anyone trying to improve their health, lose weight and help to give their bodies a top-notch vitamin burst.

What is the Acai Berry?

The acai berry is about the size and shape of a blueberry or small grape and, if you’re unfamiliar with it, you could mistake it for one of these. It is a dark purplish color but has less flesh than a grape, as it has a largish stone in the middle. It also has a very different flavor to a grape, or indeed any other fruit. There is a fruit taste but people often talk of a strong chocolate flavor or aftertaste. Whatever way you look at it, eating something that tastes like a cross between fruit and chocolate can only be a treat. 

The berry is the fruit of a type of palm tree that grows throughout South America, around the Amazon region. The berries grow in clusters or bunches, rather than individually around the tree. This makes it easier to collect a large number of berries in one go as there are usually only a few bunches on each tree and it’s much quicker to pick the bunches than to pick hundreds of individual berries. This particular palm tree likes water and grows mainly in swamps and floodplain areas and it can grow to an incredible eighty feet in height so there are certain difficulties to be overcome when harvesting the berries.

Food for Thought

Despite the fact that the western world is only really just getting to grips with the astounding benefits of the acai berry, the fruit has been harvested as a food for many hundreds of years in Brazil. Many tribal groups in the Amazon have long known of the dietary importance of acai berries. In fact, the actual palm tree is considered to be a fantastic resource as the fruit is such an important part of the diet.


For Goodness Sake

So why is there suddenly a lot of fuss about a little purple berry that’s been hiding away in the Amazon for hundreds of years? Well, it seems that the acai berry packs quite a hefty nutritional punch and its health benefits have made it into something of a celebrity in the fruit stands. In fact, research has determined that acai is one of the most nutritious foods in the world and this is certainly something to make you stop and think. It is joining the ranks of the blueberry, garlic and chilli peppers as a food to try and include in your diet in order to maximize your health and kick-start your immune system.

Superfood

If you are going to incorporate an acai supplement into your diet regime, here are just a few of the benefits that can be gained from this little berry:

• Supports weight loss
• High level of antioxidants
• Good for circulation
• Helps keep your heart healthy
• Rich in essential fatty acids
• Good for energy levels
• Helps to combat the ageing process
• High in fiber

Antioxidants

These nutrients are purported to help combat the signs of ageing. In order to get your full quota of antioxidants, you are advised to eat at least five portions of fresh fruit and vegetables every day. The key is to try and eat lots of different colored fruit and vegetables, in order to obtain a good variety of vitamins and minerals.

Many foods contain antioxidants but it’s the sheer amount that are packed into acai berries that make them truly unique. To put it into context, acai berries contain an incredibly ten times more antioxidants than grapes. Add acai to your diet and you can be sure you’re getting more than your fair share of these clever nutrients that help your body to naturally combat the effects of premature ageing and some of its associated health problems. High antioxidant consumption can also help to build up your immune system, which is the perfect defense against more serious illnesses. Once your body has all the ammunition it needs, it will be on top form to fight off infection.


Healthy Fats

Acai berries are also packed full of essential fatty acids. We always think of the word ‘fat’ as being a bad thing. However, certain fats are actually good for us and our bodies need them to operate properly. Essential fatty acids can only be obtained through the food we eat so again, it’s important to be aware of your diet. They are so important that they can help to regulate everything from blood pressure to conception and they play a key role in the development of babies and children.

Essential fatty acids can be obtained from foods such as oily fish, vegetable oils, nuts and seeds. However, whilst it’s important to regulate your diet and include plenty of nutrient-rich foods, it’s not always possible. When you’re particularly busy or stressed your diet is often something that takes second place. It’s easy to skip meals or eat quick, unhealthy food that doesn’t require much thought or planning. An acai supplement can provide that quick boost of health-giving nutrients and you can rest assured that you’re doing something positive for your body.


Help Weight Loss

Essential fatty acids can help with the regulation of your metabolism, so an acai supplement could provide some assistance in losing weight at a more efficient rate. You are giving your body a concentrated burst of vitamins and nutrients that will help in all your well-being endeavors.


Fiber

Fiber is another essential component of a healthy diet and once again, the humble acai berry comes up trumps. You probably know that you should eat plenty of fiber but do you know why? Fiber can’t actually be digested by the body. Some fiber dissolves in water but the rest passes through your body undisturbed. This may sound strange but its’ actually the insoluble fiber that helps to keep you regular. Soluble fiber can help to lower cholesterol levels and as high cholesterol is an extremely common health problem, everyone should sit up and take notice of how much dietary fiber they are including in their daily diet.

Once again the acai berry can really provide assistance. Fiber helps to fill you up so, by stocking up on healthy foods, you should lose the urge to snack on unhealthy foods. An acai supplement will give you that extra fiber boost.


Feel Good, Look Good

This one food contains so many different nutrients that are important for our health and well-being that it’s no surprise it has taken the world by storm and so many people have incorporated it into their daily diet – either by eating the berries themselves, or by taking an acai supplement, powders or juices. It’s a great boost for your body and if you are dieting or trying to alter your lifestyle to become healthier and to lose a little excess weight, then acai is definitely worth trying. You could see a whole host of general health benefits and may find that your energy levels increase and that you generally have a greater sense of well-being.

In order to make the most of the incredible properties of the acai berry, you should always combine a supplement with other weight loss methods. Weight loss involves a change in lifestyle and this should include a healthy and balanced diet and a regular exercise regime. By taking an acai supplement in combination with these other lifestyle choices, you should see some great results in a short space of time.