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The acai berry is a fruit about as small as a grape and can be found predominantly in Brazil, particularly in the Amazon rainforest. The acai berry has slightly less pulp than a grape. In fact, only 10% of the fruit can be considered as berry; the other 90% of it are mostly seed and pit. The berries are being harvested by people in the Brazil region and are being used as food, most especially as part of their breakfast. It is a large part of the diet of people living in the Amazon area. More than that, the acai berry is also an important medicinal plant. For hundred of years, people of the Amazon have used this fruit to cure the more common ailments; it is even said to be part of the region’s folklore.

The acai berry first started to gain popularity in of Rio de Janeiro, a country that is thousands of miles away from the Amazon rainforest. the acai berry and its derivatives can be used to augment workouts and is particularly helpful in athletic activities. This is because the acai fruit is known to be a very effective energy booster. Just recently, the acai berry has also been gaining popularity in many other countries as well. In America, interest in this fruit has been increasing in the media, supported by medical professionals, scientists, and nutritionists. They have been raving about the many health benefits of the acai berry, its nutritional qualities, and its weight loss aiding properties.

The acai berry has been dubbed as a “superfruit” or a “superfood.” This is because the antioxidant properties of the acai berry are unsurpassed by any other fruit in the world. In truth, no fruit ever comes close to the free radical fighting ability and the total nutritional value of the acai berry. It is said to contain not only the largest amount of antioxidants than any other given fruit, but the acai berry reportedly contains the most number of different types of antioxidants and the most amount of percentage of some given antioxidant in one fruit. Besides the antioxidant elements, the acai fruit also contains the healthy fats (monounsaturated fats), iron, fiber, and amino acids.

However, there is one problem with the distribution of the acai berry, despite its increasingly high demand worldwide. The fruit spoils very easily – mostly just one day after harvesting. As the berry spends time off the tree after harvesting, the rapid decline of the fruit makes it lose much of its nutritional content and the antioxidant contents. This is basically the reason why you can’t find it on groceries in the United States or anywhere else. However, the manufacturers are now increasingly finding ways of packing and selling acai berry products, specifically for those weight loss watchers. One of the processes that is being used today to preserve the acai berry is to do freeze-drying of the fruit right on the site of harvest. It is then kept on a frozen state until it is delivered to the processing plant or other markets. This process still does not retain all the important nutritional qualities of the fruit but at least it is making it marketable. Much still needs to be studied about the acai berry and it will surely be scrutinized on a much larger scale these coming years.

Joseph Long
http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/acai-berry-facts-749705.html

Technorati Tags: Acai Berry, Acai Fruit, Amazon Area, Amazon Rainforest, Antioxidant Properties, Antioxidants, Berries, Common Ailments, Derivatives, Energy Booster, Folklore, Health Benefits, Medical Professionals, Medicinal Plant, Nutritional Qualities, Nutritional Value, Pulp, Rio De Janeiro, Superfood, Workouts

A recently completed University of Florida study has added to the buzz surrounding the Brazilian acai berry which is sold in many health stores as an antioxidant supplement. The study is, hopefully, one of the first of many to research the many claims attributed to the acai fruit.

In it’s study, six different chemical extracts were made from acai berry pulp, and each extract was prepared in seven concentrations.

At least 4 of the extracts killed a great many cancer cells when applied for 24 hours or more. Anywhere from 35 percent to 86 percent of the cancer cells were destroyed, depending on the particular extract and concentration.

According to Stephen Talcott, an assistant professor with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the study showed extracts from acai berries triggered a self-destruct response (apoptosis) in up to 86 percent of leukemia cells tested

Talcott, however, cautioned against reading too much into the results, noting that the tests were run against cancer cell cultures and not on human test subjects.

Still, the results are exciting. In the last year, the Brazilian berry has really taken off in the United States. It has also caught the attention of many companies who are now creating products that include the acai berry.

Although, acai berries are thought to be one of the richest fruit sources of antioxidants, other fruits that are rich in antioxidants such as mangoes, grapes, have been shown to kill cancer cells in similar studies.

Antioxidants are substances that may protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. Free radical damage is theorized to be one of the main causes of cancer. A sufficient amount of antioxidants are thought by many to short-circuit this process by interacting with and stabilizing the free radicals and may stopping the damage that they do to healthy cells.

Experts are divided on just what effect antioxidants have on cancer cells in the human body, because of the many other lifestyle factors that have to be factored into the equation. There is much evidence that antioxidants may slow or even prevent the development of cancer cells. On the other hand, many double blind studies have not been conclusive -with some seeming to indicate that antioxidants retard cancer cell growth and others indicating that it has no effect.

There have been many anecdotal claims made for the Amazon acai berry fruit. And traditionally Indians in the Brazilian rain forest have used it in ways as diverse as food, house thatching, drink, diarrhea, jaundice, fevers, and as treatment for many other health diseases.

The University of Florida study as well as others are a welcome step towards getting away from some of the claims of acai and subjecting it to controlled studies in the laboratory.

“A lot of claims are being made, but most of them haven’t been tested scientifically,” Talcott said. “We are just beginning to understand the complexity of the acai berry and its health-promoting effects.”

Jim Allen
http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/amazon-superfruit-kills-cancer-cells-in-the-lab-305680.html

Technorati Tags: Acai Berries, Acai Berry, Acai Fruit, Agricultural Sciences, Amazon, Antioxidant Supplement, Cancer Cell, Cancer Cells, Causes Of Cancer, Cell Cultures, Cells In The Human Body, Florida Study, Free Radical Damage, Free Radicals, Fruit Sources, Health Stores, Human Test Subjects, Leukemia Cells, Self Destruct, Unstable Molecules

In alternative health, acai is all the rage. While relatively new to the American consciousness, acai has been around for centuries and has helped many people with its healthful qualities. In order to benefit completely from acai, however, one must truly understand what it is and what it does.

What is acai?

Acai is a distinct purple berry indigenous to the Amazon rainforest. The acai fruit may be found in some of the large palm trees that grow in the thick forest; these trees can reach as high as 82 feet! Unlike cherries, which grow individually in trees, the acai berry grows in bunches, more like bananas. One average, each palm tree can yield anywhere from three to eight bunches.

What’s so great about acai?

You might say acai is fast becoming known as a wonder food for its versatility. Acai has nutrient properties and is naturally rich in:

* Omega fats (the good kind, unlike the saturated fats found in fast food)

* amino acids

* electrolytes

* antioxidants

* protein

* vitamins A, B1 and E

The people of the Amazon rainforest use acai in many different dishes – from drinks and shakes to breakfasts and bars. Brazilians use acai to flavor meat and fish entrees, too, topping dishes with a pulpy, curd-like substance made from the fruit.

Not only does acai provide a delicious taste to complement food, it is known around the Amazon for amazing health benefits. Acai is known to be used for treatment of digestive problems, skin irritation, sexual dysfunction, and even insomnia. the acai berry is naturally low in sugar, too.

Only in recent years have people in North America discovered how acai makes them feel energetic and healthy. Take a trip to your favorite smoothie place and you might find acai as one of the add-in ingredients available to you. Not only are consumers finding the benefits of acai to their interest, but researchers and the media are amazed by the power of this small berry. NBC’s Today did a feature story on acai in 2004, and more recently researchers at the University of Florida tested the attributes of acai to discover it actually destroyed cultured leukemia cells!

Will acai cure cancer? We can’t say for certain. All we know is that acai possesses some very strong health properties that may benefit people in the long run.

Can you eat the berries that make acai directly?

Strangely enough, no. It is not recommended that one just pluck the berries from the tree and start snacking. The berries are harvested and processed, and the acai is extracted from the pulp of the berry and sold in stores all over South America. It is said that beverages containing acai are more popular than milk in the southern hemisphere. That’s because South Americans know they are getting a pure, healthy drink that benefits their alertness and well-being, and it gets them through the day.

Where do you get acai?

Enter acai into Internet search and you are bound to find hundreds of online shops selling acai in various forms – drinks, powders, and capsules. This wonder supplement is in very high demand, but when you shop for acai it is important to know whether or not you are getting the purest extracts of acai available, directly from the Amazon Rainforest. Check the labels!

Does acai cause any side effects?

Current research indicates no known side effects to taking acai in any form. Though acai has been around for ages, it is still quite new to the United States, and no doubt is still being observed by health professionals. However, the testimony of the overall health of the Amazonian people speaks well for this little fruit with big potential.

Kathryn Lively
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/the-power-of-acai-85359.html

Technorati Tags: Acai Berry, Acai Fruit, All The Rage, Amazon Rainforest, American Consciousness, Amino Acids, Brazilians, Bunches, Curd, Delicious Taste, Digestive Problems, Fish Entrees, Healthful Qualities, Meat And Fish, Palm Tree, Palm Trees, Saturated Fats, Skin Irritation, Thick Forest, Wonder Food

In alternative health, acai is all the rage. While relatively new to the American consciousness, acai has been around for centuries and has helped many people with its healthful qualities. In order to benefit completely from acai, however, one must truly understand what it is and what it does.

What is acai?

Acai is a distinct purple berry indigenous to the Amazon rainforest. The acai fruit may be found in some of the large palm trees that grow in the thick forest; these trees can reach as high as 82 feet! Unlike cherries, which grow individually in trees, the acai berry grows in bunches, more like bananas. One average, each palm tree can yield anywhere from three to eight bunches.

What’s so great about acai?

You might say acai is fast becoming known as a wonder food for its versatility. Acai has nutrient properties and is naturally rich in:

* Omega fats (the good kind, unlike the saturated fats found in fast food)

* amino acids

* electrolytes

* antioxidants

* protein

* vitamins A, B1 and E

The people of the Amazon rainforest use acai in many different dishes – from drinks and shakes to breakfasts and bars. Brazilians use acai to flavor meat and fish entrees, too, topping dishes with a pulpy, curd-like substance made from the fruit.

Not only does acai provide a delicious taste to complement food, it is known around the Amazon for amazing health benefits. Acai is known to be used for treatment of digestive problems, skin irritation, sexual dysfunction, and even insomnia. The acai berry is naturally low in sugar, too.

Only in recent years have people in North America discovered how acai makes them feel energetic and healthy. Take a trip to your favorite smoothie place and you might find acai as one of the add-in ingredients available to you. Not only are consumers finding the benefits of acai to their interest, but researchers and the media are amazed by the power of this small berry. NBC’s Today did a feature story on acai in 2004, and more recently researchers at the University of Florida tested the attributes of acai to discover it actually destroyed cultured leukemia cells!

Will acai cure cancer? We can’t say for certain. All we know is that acai possesses some very strong health properties that may benefit people in the long run.

Can you eat the berries that make acai directly?

Strangely enough, no. It is not recommended that one just pluck the berries from the tree and start snacking. The berries are harvested and processed, and the acai is extracted from the pulp of the berry and sold in stores all over South America. It is said that beverages containing acai are more popular than milk in the southern hemisphere. That’s because South Americans know they are getting a pure, healthy drink that benefits their alertness and well-being, and it gets them through the day.

Where do you get acai?

Enter acai into Internet search and you are bound to find hundreds of online shops selling acai in various forms – drinks, powders, and capsules. This wonder supplement is in very high demand, but when you shop for acai it is important to know whether or not you are getting the purest extracts of acai available, directly from the Amazon Rainforest. Check the labels!

Does acai cause any side effects?

Current research indicates no known side effects to taking acai in any form. Though acai has been around for ages, it is still quite new to the United States, and no doubt is still being observed by health professionals. However, the testimony of the overall health of the Amazonian people speaks well for this little fruit with big potential.

Kathryn Lively
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/the-power-of-acai-85359.html

Technorati Tags: Acai Berry, Acai Fruit, All The Rage, Amazon Rainforest, American Consciousness, Amino Acids, Brazilians, Bunches, Curd, Delicious Taste, Digestive Problems, Fish Entrees, Healthful Qualities, Meat And Fish, Palm Tree, Palm Trees, Saturated Fats, Skin Irritation, Thick Forest, Wonder Food