Thursday, August 21, 2008

Is The Acai Berry Really A Super Fruit?

By: Darren Yates

The Acai Berry is being promoted as a super fruit and with good reason. Acai Berries are considered one of the richest fruit sources of antioxidants.

These are the same antioxidants that destroyed cultured human cancer cells in a University of Florida study in early 2006, this was one of the first serious studies to investigate the 'super fruit's' supposed benefits.

The Acai Berries triggered a self-destruct response in up to 86 percent of the leukaemia cells tested when applied for 24 hours. Depending on the extract and concentration, anywhere from about 35 percent to 86 percent of the cancer cells were destroyed!

It has been shown in other studies that compounds demonstrating a positive effect against cancer cells are more likely to have a beneficial effect on our entire body.

The Acai Berry is not only loaded with antioxidants, it also contains anthocyanins (20 times the amount found in red wine), omega 6 and omega 9 fatty acids which are rarely found in fruit, the berries are also low in calories and contain fibre, calcium, amino acids, minerals such as iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium and vitamins B1, B2, B3, C and E.

This high concentration of elements can also help to combat -

Aging

The high concentration of antioxidant anthocyanin, Omega 6 and Omega 9 fatty acids helps delay the natural aging process.

Fight Heart Disease

The high concentration of phytosterols in the Acai Berry helps to reduce heart related problems and disease.

Control Cholesterol

The Acai Berry has been proven to help maintain good cholesterol levels.

Something this beneficial must taste pretty foul then right?

Wrong! Many describe the taste as a combination of berry and earthy chocolate.

When ripe, the berries are dark purple and about the size of a blueberry with a thin layer of edible pulp surrounding a large seed. Acai Berries are produced by a palm tree common on the floodplain areas of the Amazon River in Brazil.

Brazilians have used Acai Berries for centuries to treat digestive disorders and skin conditions and they have come to take the place of rice, bread and milk.

In the city of Belem, state capital of the Para region in Brazil more Acai juice is consumed on a daily basis than milk! Acai is an energiser and is suitable for all age groups. Large quantities are sent to the cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro where it has become the health drink of choice for both young and old alike.

The rest of the World are now finally catching on to the little Acai Berry as they realize this little fruit really does deserve the title 'Super Fruit'.

Article Source: http://bb-articles.com

About the Author:

Natural Alternative Products are one of the largest suppliers of the Acai Berry in the UK. You will also find a huge number of naturally beneficial health related products on offer at our site.


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Anthocyanin Antioxidants in the Acai Berry