Acai Berry (Euterpe badiocarpa) is a delicious berry native to the Amazon rainforest. It has been a mainstay in Amazonian diets for hundreds of years, but was only recently introduced to the United States. Acai’s unique flavor is a combination of red wine and cherry with chocolate overtones. (Free Acai Berry Diet Guides are available from many sources on and off hte internet)
Products featuring Acai berry are showing impressive growth in both the natural and conventional channels. With nearly $4 million in sales for the last 12-month period, compared to sales of nearly $450k in the previous year, Acai products have experienced an amazing year-on-year growth of nearly 800%.
The acai berry juice contains a very high concentration of anthocyanins, the antioxidants that give grapes and red wine their many health benefits and rich purple color. Anthocyanins have been found to exhibit potential therapeutic effects including prevention and treatment of diabetic conditions of the vascular system as well as inflammatory conditions related to the brain and nervous system. Other benefits of anthocyanins may include a protective effect against negative reactions to radiation and chemotherapy. Acai also contains an almost perfect amino acid make up along with important trace minerals, which are essential to proper muscle function.
In addition, Acai contains several different compounds that share the ability to lower high cholesterol levels in the body. Acai contains the very same balance of Omega 6 and Omega 9 essential fatty acids as olive oil. Both of these help to lower LDL (harmful cholesterol) while maintaining HDL (beneficial cholesterol) levels. Açaí is a great source of dietary fiber and phytosterols, which help promote the health of the cardiovascular and digestive systems.
Phytosterols help to make up plant cell walls. They provide numerous health benefits to the body, specifically reducing blood cholesterol. Dietary fiber also balances unhealthy cholesterol levels.
The fiber binds to cholesterol that the body excretes in the form of bile acids, preventing it from being reabsorbed into the blood stream.
Disclaimer: You should always seek expert medical advice when treating an illness or ailment using diet or supplements. Please consult your own doctor for advice on the use of Acai Berry in your diet.
