acai berry weightloss

Archive for April, 2009

Read the latest alternative health literature, or maybe turn on the news, and you might find a report on the benefits of acai as a natural remedy. For centuries, people of South America have enjoyed acai in drinks, as a mashed pulp topping for food, and as supplements for daily vitality. Only recently has acai come into the Western consciousness, with sources like Oprah and a handful of doctors proclaiming the wonders of this “superfood.”

Yet, for all the praise acai receives, one must wonder if it is truly capable of drastic healing qualities. Can this little purple berry from the Amazon Rainforest do what many conventional medicines can’t for some? It is believed that regular intake of acai juice can relieve or put an end to joint pain in particular?

The structure of acai

“Antioxidants” is a popular buzzword in alternative health these days. We’re told to eat more rich berries high in antioxidants in order to purify the blood and strengthen the body’s natural ability to fight free radicals that can weaken our immunity over time. Blueberries, cherries, and pomegranates fall under this category, yet the acai berry is believed to surpass them all in terms of overall quality.

Acai berries are rich in not only in antioxidants, but vitamins A, C, and E, and is very high in something called the ORAC value, which is known to be beneficial in battling joint pain.

ORAC and joint pain

ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, and measures the antioxidant level of foods. Antioxidants are essential in fighting superoxide free radicals, which are known to decrease joint function and mobility as the body ages. To combat join pain naturally, it is believed that a diet rich in antioxidants can assist the body’s ability to heal. It can be concluded, then, that regular consumption of acai can be of help here.

However, while acai in juice or powdered supplement form may work instantly for some, it may not for others. As a healthy alternative to soft drinks and other beverages of little to no nutritional value, acai can provide the body with necessary vitamins and minerals needed to maintain daily health. Pain relief for some may be a bonus in this regard.

When seeking remedy for severe pain, remember to consult with a physician or nutrition expert before trying any type of alternative supplement or diet plan. If you wish to try acai for improved health, enjoy the flavor and be mindful of the effects.

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 aca 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 aca 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. Aca 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 bye to guranum and hello to the acai berry.

About the Author

Todd Levering is the publisher of a website that provides no-nonsense information about the acai berry. To get more info about acai berry research and products that are made with the acai fruit, visit http://acaipro.com

Many positive things have been mentioned about acai berry. Believe it or not, acai berry has been in the market for only 5 short years. Acai berry is a well-kept secret of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil where it is hand-picked by the natives. Acai berry grows quite wildly on top of palm trees. The acai fruit is of a deep purple color and is famously rich in important nutrients such as protein, fiber, heart-protecting fatty acids, and vitamins.

This fruit can play an extremely important role in not only maintaining our health but also preventing future problems from ever arising such as cancer and heart disease! The benefits from consuming this very nutritious berry are almost endless. In fact, according to a world renowned anti-aging expert, Dr. Nicholas Perricone, acai berry is one fruit he highly recommends adding to one’s daily diet. Why? This most-talked about berry is a very nutritious and one of the most powerful foods found in the world.

One of the most vital health benefits that acai berry can actually provide is the unique ability it has on the aging process because of its antioxidant properties that come from its concentration of anthocyanin. Because of this concentration of anthocyanin, acai has been recognized as one of the foremost superfoods for anti-aging; these properties are in fact the same one believed to be responsible for providing red wine with its reported health benefits; yet, acai berry contains from 10 to 30 times more anthocyanins than red wine.

This amazing fruit combats free radicals which are the chief cause of the aging process as they damage different parts of the human body from within over the years. For example, the amino acids and trace minerals that are found in acai help in ideal muscle contraction and regeneration; this helps slow down the destructive effects to the skin which cause the signs of aging.

Another example: the fatty acid in acai is high in monounsaturated oleic acid which together with omega 3 fish oils enter cell membranes and help to make them suppler; this in fact permits for neurotransmitters, hormones, and insulin receptors to work more efficiently, diminishing inflammation. Remember: inflammation is a leading cause of the aging process.

Acai berry provides many health benefits that it would be impossible to list them in this article. There is little wonder why this amazing fruit has become so popular around the world.

For many years, the Acai berry (ah-sah-ee) has been a well-kept secret of the Amazon rainforest and it has only been on the market for about the last 5 years. The rainforests of the Amazon are thought to hold the key to treating many ailments and common diseases, and for thousands of years the indigenous peoples of the Amazon region have known about the many health-enhancing benefits of the Acai berry.The Acai berry itself is a deep purple color, and it is quite rich in a number of important nutrients, including many of the most valuable antioxidant vitamins.LOWERS CHOLESTEROL LEVELS: In addition to these anthocyanins, Acai berries are known to contain large amounts of protein and fiber, as well as both omega-6, which lowers cholesterol levels and omega-9 fatty acids, which lowers LDL cholesterol levels and maintains natural HDL cholesterol levels. These omega fatty acids have been studied for years as a way to protect the heart from damage, and reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood, thereby providing possible protection from heart attacks, strokes and other common cardiovascular complications.ANTI-AGING: Perhaps the most important health benefit of the acai berry, however, is its strong impact on the aging process. As a matter of fact, the acai berry is generally acknowledged to be one of the top superfoods for anti-aging. The amino acids and vital trace minerals found in the Acai berry aid in proper muscle contraction and regeneration, thereby slowing damaging effects to the skin that cause signs of aging. The fatty acid found in the Acai berry is similar to that of olive oil and is high in monounsaturated oleic acid. This fatty acid combined with Omega 3 fish oils penetrates cell membranes and makes them suppler. This allows for hormones, neurotransmitters and Insulin Receptors to operate more efficiently, which greatly reduces inflammation, inflammation being one of the leading causes of Aging.Additional information: For such a tiny fruit, the Acai berry seems to have a great many heart healthy benefits, and the secret that has been part of Amazon culture for thousands of years is slowly spreading to the rest of the world. The Acai berry is a rich source of antioxidant vitamins, protein, fiber and heart protecting fatty acids, and it has an important role to play in protecting our good health.As the popularity of the Acai berry continues to grow, and as its value to good health continues to get out, it is likely that this little purple fruit will become more widely available. In coming years, Acai berries are likely to be available at traditional grocery stores and supermarkets in addition to health food stores and Internet retailers.

When choosing between products made with the Acai berry, it is important to choose only the highest quality products, and to look for products that have been frozen quickly after harvest. How the Acai berries are handled after harvest can have a significant impact on their health benefits, so it is important to buy your Acai berry juice from those who use the best manufacturing methods.

Acai is recognized as the sole super berry on the market which has all that you require; Acai contains Vitamin B1, B2, B3, C, E, Potassium, Fiber, Proteins, Phosphorus, Calcium, ideal fatty acids like Omega 9, Omega 6 to assist in decreasing cholesterol level.

In addition, another benefit: it gives you the greatest degree of anti-oxidant on the market today, with current studies demonstrating up to 33 times the anti-oxidant strength as compared to red wine grapes. Acai gives your body the kind of energy as from your youth, and the vitality and greater stamina you once had while n your 20′s. Consider trying the Acai product brand that we have successfully taken and you too will experience its natural power. (Click on the link below for more details.)

Today’s enlightening research on Acai has proven that these powerful and natural Anti-Oxidants are capable of attacking and regulating your cholesterol levels in your body.

Acai contains two central fatty acids recognized as Omega 9 and Omega 6. Omega 9 fatty acids decrease LDL and help keep HDL levels. Further ressearch proves that Omega 6 actually aids in reducing LDL–the damaging cholesterol.

Acai’s Anti-Oxidant elements have a big role in maintaining the vascular cardiac system; this is essential for smoother blood circulation.

Acai’s dark purple color exists because of polyphenolic compounds present. A major plant chemical in Acai gets much attention; this compound is known as anthocyanin. Anthocyanins are a cluster of Flavonoids which is broadly distributed in plants; it also gives a red to purple color to fruits such as grapes, raspberries, and blackberries. Furthermore, it contains the usual minerals and vitamins that are carried in most fruits.

Anthocyanins has been classified in the “group” of plant compounds known as Flavonoids. In fact, 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.

Anthocyanins counteracts enzymes which damage connective tissue. Their antioxidant ability helps in preventing oxidants from hurting connective tissues; it also aids in fixing the damaged proteins in your body’s blood-vessel walls.

Through the prevention of tyrosine nitration, the Anthocyanins found in Acai could assist in safeguarding against neurological illnesses. In fact, the central Anthocyanins found in Acai–recognized as Cyanidin-3-glucoside–have been discovered to aid in reversing age-related neurological problems.

Anthocyanins’ ability to fight oxidants gives them a favorably potent status in the battle against arteriosclerosis. Anthocyanins safeguards the soundness of your body’s endothelial cells which keep blood vessel walls in a line and assist in maintaining the integrity of micro capillary.

In the case of Diabetes, the protection offered through Anthocyanins could help stop damaged capillaries from leaking, as well as help in preventing massive atypical protein production.

Juice from the acai berry is a trendy ingredient in fabulous health supplements and drinks of the rich and famous, from Hollywood movie stars to athletes and more. Acai berry fruit contains a single large seed. The exocarp turns into green or dark purple when the berries are ripe. The color, however, depends on the maturity of the plant fruit and its type. The mesocarp or fleshy portion or part of acai berry that contains pulp, is of uniform thickness. On the other hand, about 80% of Acai fruit is taken by the endocarp.

Research has also proven that Acai berry does not have any side effects. Hence, consumption of Acai berry is not at all harmful. As Acai berry has gained a lot of popularity in a very short time, further research is carried out to what makes Acai berry such an amazing fruit. But hang on, before your excitement levels pierce through the ceiling, here is some bad news for you people. Unfortunately Acai fruit is very perishable and it only grows in the Amazon rain forest. So you won’t be able to taste fresh Acai fruit at a store near you or a fruit market unless you live in the Amazon. But as they say after every bad news, we get a good one, Acai fruit is no exception. For all those who don’t live in the Amazon, Acai berry can be turned into powder by freezing it dry and it contains all the nutritional power that a fresh Acai berry has.

Many people love acai juice with its high nutrient content and antioxidants that aid in health improvements of many kinds from heart disease to anti aging benefits. In fact, here’s an insider’s look at …

Celebrities & Athletes Who Enjoy Acai Juice

1) Oprah – This television superstar talk show hostess extraordinaire actually endorses the Acai Berry on her site.

2) Kelly Slater – This professional super surfer, nine times World Champion enjoys acai with her breakfast.

3) Rajon Rondo – NBA Championship Basketball Player for the Boston Celtics, this gent enjoy acai, too.

4) Steve Burton – This “General Hospital” actor along with fellow acai juice promoter with actors from the set love the stuff.

5) Matthew McConaughey – This actor like a bowl of acai topped with granola and banana slices.

6) Mariano Rivera – This New York Yankees Baseball pro is the spokesman for Purple drink with Acai and loves the health benefits of the drink.

7) Chaka Khan – This American singer and Grammy Award winner eight times over is another spokeswoman for Purple drink with Acai. “The drink helps with handling stress and a hectic lifestyle.

Trista & Ryan – After hooking up on the reality TV show “The Bachelorette,” this couple, AKA “America’s Favorite Newlyweds,” share a joy for acai juice as well as each other.

9) Sanoe Lake – Superstar model, actor and surfer, Sanoe has been drinking acai for many years ad notes a big difference due to the healthy drink qualities.

10) Bobby Kelty, JD Drew, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez – All these well-known Boston Red Sox love acai juice, too.

11) Bethany Hamilton – Another famous athlete surfer loves the antioxidant properties of acai products and enjoys them regularly.

12) Rob Machado – And another famous athlete surfer love acai bowls for more energy throughout the day.

13) Bob Burnquist – This well-known athlete skateboarder prefers Sambazon Acai as the ultimate energy food.

14) Torii Hunter – Famous baseball player of the Los Angeles, this spokesperson for acai drink Purple loves the drink’s great and how it makes him feel.

15) Michael Saucedo – Famous actor is another acai fan.

16) Andrew Ference – Famous athlete NHL Hockey Player also loves acai, considering it a staple on the grocery list.

So see what you think! Give acai health juice a try. Nothing to lose.