acai berry weightloss

Archive for August, 2010

First off what is the Acai Berry, for you not to have heard of this super food you almost have to have been living in complete isolation, as it is one of the most talked about and written about foods out there today.

Some facts you may not know about Acai Berries: The acai berry is very rich in protein and is known to have as much as an egg. They are high in vitamin B3 which is niacin, and that can play an important part in cellular energy production by assisting in the transfer of electrons in oxidation-reduction. In addition to these here is a partial list of amazing things this little berry can do for you:

Promotes sound sleep
Cleanses and detoxifies the body of infectious toxins
Enhances sexual desire and performance
Helps to clear skin of warts
Minimizes inflammation
Fights general depression

Where does the Acai Berry come from? It comes from the Brazilian Rain Forest in Northern Brazil and the people living there have been eating these berries for hundreds of years. It is a highly valued medicinal food and the actual healthy properties of the berry is active for 24-48 hours after being picked, so that means they need to be freeze dried or made into juice or powder within that time of harvesting/picking.

The acai berry is smaller in size than a grape and is produced in clusters by the palm trees called Euterpe Oleracea. This berry is definitely the jewel of the Brazilian Rain forest and it is one of the most powerful yet delicate fruits in the world.

Some of the better know benefits of this powerhouse food are; it is loaded with antioxidants, amino acids, essential omegas, fibers and vital vitamins.
Studies have shown that the acai berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world. It is thought to have a great impact on heart and on the entire cardiovascular system and is considered to be helpful in reducing the risk of heart disease. Helps relieve arthritis, can help reduce and speed up the recovery from injuries, helps stabilize normal blood sugar and assists in diabetes; strengthens your immune system; assists in eyesight and helps with vision sharpness; promotes younger looking skin; slows down the aging process; boosts your energy; improved the digestion; relieves arthritis pain.

Even though this seems like it could be considered a miracle food the acai berry is not a license to eating anything and everything you want and the consume some acai berry to be healthy. So the rule is if you smoke, drink, eat fast food and not exercise this little berry is not going to keep you in optimal health. But if you do all the right things it will gives you the energy from your youth, with added vitality, and increased stamina.

Found prospering in the swampy Amazon Rainforest, acai berries provide nutrients our bodies need. In the tropical floodplain areas of Central and South America, the acai palm berry, grows in bunches of 700-900 berries.

Acai has an astounding number of health benefits due to its sizeable amounts of fiber, antioxidants, fatty acids, and proteins. The acai berries require humidity and wetland conditions to grow well. Thousands of palm trees per acre have been recorded in areas of the rainforest.

Acai berries begin as a green color and ripen to a deep purple. Each acai palm stem usually produces four to eight bunches of fruit during the average year with fruits ripening the heaviest in the dry season from July to December.

The acai palm thrives throughout the lowland flood areas where it forms in large groves. In one of natures wonders, when one of acai’s stems is cut, more stems will grow back and the cutting encourages more fruit to grow on the remaining stems.

Acai palm is now also the world’s main source of palm hearts. In Brazilian herbal medicine, the oil of the acai berries is used to treat diarrhea; the grated berry rind is used as a topical wash for skin ulcers; and the fruit seeds are crushed and made into a treatment for fevers.

Scientists are currently studying acai to determine just how nutritionally valuable it is. The researchers are discovering ways to use the acai berries to fight such diseases as diabetes, cancer, digestive issues, obesity, blood clotting ailments, obesity, and much more.

Experts are uncertain how much effect antioxidants have on cancer cells in the human body, because factors such as metabolism, nutrient absorption, and other biochemical processes may influence the antioxidants’ chemical activity.

Brazilians have long used acai berries to treat skin conditions and digestive disorders. Current medical research suggests acai products can help consumers lower cholesterol, get energized, and lose weight.

We are just beginning to understand all the health benefits of the acai palm. It can also be harvested for its delicious heart-of-palm, which tastes great in salads. In Colombia, where the acai palm grows along the Pacific coast, acai berries are turned into a popular drink.

In a University of Florida study, six different chemical extracts were made from acai fruit pulp and each extract was prepared at seven separate concentration levels. When applied for 24 hours, four of the extracts were shown to kill a significant number of leukemia cells. The UF study shows that research on foods not commonly found or consumed in the United States is extremely important, because it may lead to undiscovered health benefits of food nutrition.

Eating a balanced diet of at least five servings a day of fruits and vegetables is recommended for promoting optimal health. Research on the effects of diet on chronic diseases show an increased consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with decreased risk for many illnesses.

One of a kind, acai berries also has a high concentration of essential acids, specifically monounsaturated oleic acid. This nutrient helps diminish inflammation, which is the leading cause of the detrimental health we experience, as we get older.

The acai berry has seen its popularity evolve tremendously over the last year. Oprah Winfrey, along with Dr. OZ and Rachel Ray are likely most responsible for bringing this incredible fruit into the spotlight. These three high visibility personalities have the general public jumping on the bandwagon. With these sorts of endorsements, it’s no wonder this superfood is being discussed every where you look. You’re in all likelihood wondering if there is something to this, or if it’s all hoopla.

Believe it or not, all the hoopla that is going on about acai berries is for the most part legitimate. The berry is simply extraordinary and is one of the most nutritious fruits known to exist on our planet. It is an excellent source of Vitamin C while containing the polyphenols rutin, catechins, and anthocyanins. These are probably nutrients you have never heard of. That’s alright, all you have to remember is that they help protect delicate tissues from free radical attack. Healthy looking skin is the result of these nutrients, which is good for you.

Your immune system will get plenty of aid due to all of the antioxidants and nutrients found in acai berries. It was learned a long time ago by Brazilian natives that this berry had the power to promote wellness and energy, all while having a very pleasant taste. It also regulates NO output and healthy vascular reaction to tension. This has a significant impact regarding the support of blood vessels and a healthy heart. This stuff is really that good for you.

By now, it’s probably safe to say you’ve viewed all kinds of advertisements that offer a free bottle of acai berry. The catch, if there is one, is that you’ll have to pay a low shipping and handling fee to receive that free bottle. When you consent to this free bottle, you are normally put into a continuity arrangement with the merchant. What this means is you’ll be sent another bottle at full cost along with shipping and handling fees usually once every month. Your credit card is automatically charged for this procedure. It will be your responsibility to cancel this arrangement, so remember to do this if you don’t want to get any more bottles.

To sum it all up, the acai berry is a true superfood that sports a lot of healthy qualities. And yes, you can actually receive a free bottle from many good companies. So many companies are now offering the free bottle deal, that you could obtain a free bottle each month of the year simply by ordering from a different merchant. The key thing to remember is you have to cancel the automatic shipping arrangement that you have to enter into. If you don’t, your costs are going to add up quickly.

A recently completed University of Florida study has added to the buzz surrounding the Brazilian acai berry. The study is one of the first 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 antioxidant rich fruits 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.

Many anecdotal claims have been made for the acai berry. 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 is a welcome step towards getting away from some of the claims of acai and subjecting it to controlled studies.

“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.”

A little known berry from the jungles of the Amazon may be the cure-all for many ailments. The amazon jungles stretch over more than 1 billion acres and includes a wealth of plants and fruits that may have medical benefits. The acai berry comes from the Amazon region, native only to Central and South America. Over the last two decades, this small purple berry has caused a sensation in the scientific and medical worlds. Learn about some of the medicinal and culinary uses of this little known miracle berry called the acai.

The acai berry grows on tall palms located in the rain forest. The bunches of dark purple fruits dangle like grapes on a vine until they are ready to be harvested. Each year, the acai berry is harvested only two times. Because the fruit begins to break down immediately upon harvesting it is nearly impossible to store and ship. Regions local to the Amazon may receive over night shipments when the fruit is picked but places like the United States and Canada never get a chance at the fresh fruits. Luckily the fruits are widely used in sports bars, nutritional supplements, desserts, beverages, and in other various forms.

Although the acai berry looks similar to a grape, it is generally much larger. The acai berry is about 1 inch around and most of the fruit is actually seed. Very little fruit is extracted from each berry because it has such a large seed. The taste of the acai is very unique and it is nothing like a grape, but more like a berry. The acai has a very identifiable rich taste, kind of like a mix of dark berries. In the native countries the berries may be served as a drink or as a custard/pudding like dish. Unfortunately, the acai palm has not been successfully introduced to the rest of the world as it prefers a specific climate.

Not only does the acai taste good, but it may be good for your health! Recent studies of the acai berry has indicated it may be the solution to a number of health and aging related problems. The acai berry is high in healthy fats, rich in protein, and is a good source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. In the Amazon region, the acai berry is one of the most nutritious foods available and is a large part of the natives diet. In Central and South America the acai berry has been used to cure infection, boost energy, calm inflammation, and to boost immune health among many uses.

The acai berry may also be able to help control blood sugar, cholesterol, arthritis, and prostate problems. Because acai acts similar to an antibiotic it may also help the body heal, rid it self of infection and/or disease, and could even help with weight loss. Juices and health drinks made with the acai berry have recently been introduced to the United States. When traditional medicine and alternatives fail, those suffering from a range of ailments are now trying acai juice and achieving real results. According to Sound Concepts (http://acaitools.soundconcept s.com) it has been reported that acai juice has helped reduce and/or eliminate fatigue, arthritis, rare disease, and has increased energy, range of motion, and flexibility for those people drinking the juice daily.

The acai berry has properties so wonderful it has been discussed on shows airing on CBS, NBC, and ABC. Because the acai berry is relatively new to the United States, few studies of the actual benefits have been conducted. But, there are plenty of studies indicating the acai berry is one of the best sources for complete nutrition. The acai berry may also help lower bad cholesterol levels, help curb insomnia, promote immune health, and boost libido.