Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Understanding Various Parts Of Mangosteen From Health Aspect


mangosteen

photo credit: James & Villija


By : Cindy Heller

The mangosteen is considered as one of the most important fruits because it has various beneficial nutrients and antioxidants. This article will explore various parts of the mangosteen to give you some basic understanding on this useful fruits.

Mangosteen plant

The mangosteen plant is part of Guttiferae group, a family of largely tropical trees and shrubs that secrete a kind of acrid yellow resinous juice. It is widely believed that mangosteen plant comes from the Southeast Asia region. Some experts suggested that the mangosteen plant was first domesticated in Thailand or Burma and for many years, the mangosteen fruit is shipped from Singapore to Calcutta, India, and China due to its medicinal benefits.

The mangosteen plant is an erect and very slow-growing tree with a pyramidal crown that can reach twenty to eighty-two feet in height with dark-brown or almost black flaking bark, which contains much yellow, gummy, and bitter latex. The mangosteen plant cannot grow properly on limestone, but it will do best in deep and rich organic soil. In some locations like India, the best place where it can grow is on clay contains much coarse material with a little silt.

Mangosteen seed

Even if it is called the mangosteen seed, it cannot be considered as a seed because they are actually adventitious embryos with no sexual fertilization. When the mangosteen seed starts growing, firstly a shot will emerge from one end of the seed and a root will start from the other end. This root is only short-lived, which will soon be replaced with other roots that develop at the base of the shoot.

The mangosteen seed is different than other seeds as it has a vegetative process of reproduction which makes the resulting trees and fruits have little variation. It is common for the mangosteen to be propagated by its seed, but this mangosteen seed is easily to lose its vitality and need to be planted fresh or stored in moist peat moss, sawdust, or paper to keep its health.

Germination will happen within two or three weeks time and the seedlings grow slowly. They need around fifty to seventy-five percent of shading during the first three or four years, while thereafter they can grow in the full sunlight. Mangosteen seeds are sensitive to the high level of fertilizer so they should be fertilized using a more dilute fertilizer or an organic fertilizer. Mangosteen tree prefers a fertile and well drained soil, which contains an acid pH and high organic matter. During the first three years, the tree should be fertilized every three to four months while thereafter it needs to be fertilized once or twice a year.

Mangosteen fruit

The mangosteen fruit can be divided into two parts, the white center fruit and the purple outer rind or pericarp. The center fruit has some segments and there is one segment for every triangle in the blossom remnant. Mangosteen fruit is prized for its taste and some people consider it as the most delicious fruit in the world.

The mangosteen fruit has a thick and purple outer pericarp. It contains bitter latex and the purple juice acts like a permanent dye. This outer pericarp is rich with healthful xanthones as well and there are actually forty various xanthones in the mangosteen fruit.

Mangosteen pericarp

Mangosteen is beneficial for your health, but most of the nutrients are actually derived from the mangosteen pericarp and not from the fruit. Some studies found that the mangosteen pericarp has a large amount of biologically active substances, such as catechins, polysaccharides, stilbenes, and vitamins. 

The taste of the pericarp is bitter, but due to proprietary method, it is possible to combine it with other delicious fruits like pomegranate and use the whole mangosteen fruit while maintaining its unique flavor. Further studies indicated that the human body has no difficulty to absorb the essential nutrients from this mangosteen pericarp. 

The mangosteen pericarp is the part of the mangosteen fruit that has a high concentration of xanthones. In addition, it contains a powerful anti-inflammatory material. Xanthones are one type of antioxidants and antioxidants can combat and neutralize free radicals in our body. Free radicals are one of the greatest threats for our health because they can attack individual cell many thousand times a day and thus weakening it so it becomes more susceptible to illness and disease.

Author Resource:- Cindy Heller is a professional writer. Visit affordable mangosteen juice to learn more about mangosteen fruit juice or more mangosteen information.

Article From Article Health And Fitness

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Revealed! The Secrets of Mangosteen


mangosteen
photo credit: goosmurf


 by: Barry Dench

 Do you spend at least some time in your day thinking about your health or that of a loved one? Do you also find the subject is frustrating, mainly because there is a lot of confusing and sometimes contradictory information out there?

You are not alone!

My wife and I have been involved with complimentary health care for 10 years and we are sometimes confused too! So are many of our friends and clients.

So, I want to share with you, a very pleasant surprise I received a few months ago. I was chatting to an acquaintance who is a homeopathic doctor and the subject got on to food supplements. I believe strongly that "you are what you eat" and Hippocrates centuries ago said "Let food be your medicine.."

My friend had been reading some laboratory research on the powerful benefits of a fruit called the Mangosteen. (No, I had not heard of it either!) Called the "Queen of Fruits" where it originally grew in Southeast Asia, it is prized and valued above all others.

Mangosteen juice is rich in the super anti-oxidant called 'xanthones'. This juice has been the subject of extensive scientific research for over 30 years and in the last 15 years there have been more than 50 scientific journal articles published on the subject. Why?

Because xanthones have been shown to kill or stop the spreading of viruses fungi, bacteria, and free radicals which are strongly associated with cancer. Another area of research has shown how xanthones inhibit the oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) one of the causes of atherosclerosis (furring up of the arteries) and heart attacks.

Add to that, the mangosteen juice has been shown to help promote healing with diseases such as diabetes, premature aging, arthritis, (the anti-inflammatory activities of natural xanthones are significant)asthma, MS, the list goes on and on.

Now, like you I am sure, we are all skeptical about claims of cure-all potions so I did some more research. I was impressed! The available research is abundant and furthermore that many doctors are recommending this juice to their patients.

One such, Dr. J. Frederick Templeman, M.D. is quoted as saying "Studies are showing that xanthones have positive effects on nearly all of the body's systems". He has stopped prescribing a number of drugs as mangosteen has been more effective.

Dr Templeman goes on "All drugs are potentially dangerous. Food by comparison is absolutely safe".

I was confident enough now to try this juice. Firstly I have to say it is delicious! And it is entirely natural, with no additives. My wife and I have been taking it regularly for 3 months now and I can report we have stopped taking other expensive supplements, just regular daily drinks of mangosteen.

Our general health levels have increased and my joint aches and pains are much reduced. My wife agrees, the hot flushes she was experiencing have virtually disappeared.

If you are serious about your health, you should look into mangosteen juice for yourself and your loved ones. Remember, what you do today is going to affect you tomorrow. I strongly recommend you begin consuming this xanthone rich, mangosteen juice NOW!

About The Author
 

© Barry Dench is a qualified electrical engineer, who in 1996 applied his knowledge of magnetism to research the effects of magnetic fields on the biological body. Author of "The Essential Magnetherapy Handbook" and numerous articles on the use of magnets and nutrition, he can be contacted at his website:- www.mws.magnecare.co.uk.

barry@magnecare.co.uk

Article Source: articlecity

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Properties of Goji Berries

 The benefits of Goji Berries are numerous. Some of these benefits include:

Improving of vision
Increased flexibility
Treating insomnia
Headache and muscle and joints pain
Better and focused memory
Better energy levels
Better stamina

These are just some of the benefits that have already been clinically proven. There have been many studies being conducted on the medical benefits of Goji berries and all of them have come to the same conclusion.

Nutrition and other facts

When one reads about the almost magical properties of Goji berries, one tends to think that most of these properties are mere exaggeration but there have been many modern scientific studies that have confirmed these facts and these possibilities have also opened avenues for further research in the field with better results.

These berries are cultivated in the Himalayan valleys of Tibet, Mongolia and China. These bright red berries are very delicate and that is why when harvested it is not picked out of the vines but shaken out of it. To preserve the Goji fruits, these are slowly dried in the shade. The people in the Himalayas and the Tibetan have been consuming them for ages and some of their festivals are also centered on Goji. It is believed that eating those berries induces a feeling of well being and that is why it is also known as happy berry.

One of the major ingredients of Chinese medicines is Goji and its bark. It is believed that these make your system stronger, enhances your eyesight, increases your sperm count, protects your liver, improves circulation and also is a great anti-aging product. If you read the Chinese medicine (TCM), you would find that Gojies are considered as sweet in taste and in nature neutral. They work on your liver, lung and kidney channels and also enrich your yin. As for eating it, you can eat it raw, or brew it into tea or even take it as tincture.

Some of the properties of Goji berries are:

Vision improvement
Yin tonic
Improves complexion
Increases sperm production
Keeps your liver and kidney in good shape
The vital essence (semen) gets replenished
Antimutagenic
Very powerful antioxidant
Helps in circulation
Anti-carcinogenic properties. 

Gojies are considered very well where improvement of vision is concerned. It is a documented fact for over 15 centuries. But what was restricted to these chronicles of herbalists have been endorsed by modern studies also. It has been found out that Goji fruits contain high percentage of B-carotene (about 8 mg/100 g) and that too in a highly active form biologically. What this does is that it is easily utilized by the body.

One other property of Goji fruits which is very interesting especially to the fairer sex is its ability to benefit complexion and to enhance one's beauty. What is more it is also found to have anti-aging properties. It is true that not many would agree to these observations but there have been many studies that have revealed that Goji fruits do have these properties. Some of these include immuno-potentiating, hypoglycaemic, antioxidant, hypolipemic and hypotensive properties. All these properties considerably slow down the aging process and you get to live a lot longer and a lot better health wise.

Goji berries have found use in skin-care products. Laboratory studies have shown its antioxidant properties as well as its effectiveness in increasing dermal hydroxyproline level in mice which can increase collagen synthesis improving skin quality. It is also seen that they could also be prepared as tonic decoction which is wonderful for regulation of blood pressure and could also lower cholesterol levels. 

Those berries are also very effective on liver and kidneys and it is generally taken internally to treat high blood pressure, poor eyesight, diabetes, lumbago, vertigo, menopausal complaints and impotence. 

The root bark is certainly bitter but has a very cooling, antibacterial effect. It can control cough and high fever. It can also lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol. They could be taken internally and it can treat internal hemorrhages, chronic fevers, tuberculosis, nosebleeds, asthma, coughs and many other ailments. It could also be applied externally in case of itching of genitals. The bark is generally harvested in the winter season and is then dried to be used for diuretic and purgative purposes. 

Tea could also be prepared from the leaves which is quite nourishing. The family to which Goji belong produces other fruits and all of them boast of rich source of vitamins, minerals, flavanoids and other bio-active compounds. Generally fruits dont have essential fatty acids but these berries are exceptions in this case. 

Goji berries are also effective as anti-carcinogenic substance. It prevents tumor growth; neutralize the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, regulate sugar and blood pressure, resist autoimmune disease, lowers blood cholesterol and blood lipids and also increases adsorption of calcium.

You could also use Goji them to improve:

Lack of energy
General weakness
Back and joints ache
Dizziness
Tinnitus
Sexual inadequacies
Blurred vision
Diabetes

What is more, it has several external benefits in case of ulcers, burns, frostbite, furuncles and bedsores.

Article Sourcehttp://www.upublish.info

About the Author:
Charles Kassotis
Learn all about the nutritional facts of the Goji Berries, visit Goji Berries Guide | Nutritional Facts Learn more about the powerful Himalayan Goji Berries at Goji Berry Guide | Himalayan Goji Berries

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Buying Goji Juice: Be Wise!


buying goji juice

 photo credit: KSquier

Because of the tremendous benefits Goji products offer to consumers, the demand for pure Goji from the forests and valleys in the Himalayan region of China and Tibet has been exploding in the last few years. This demand is only going to get more intense as more and more people come to realize the amazing capabilities of Goji juice to benefit health, enhance longevity and boost the immune system.

Whenever you get this much excitement about a product and it is a product that is imported and somewhat rare, that demand creates a marketplace that you must navigate with some care. For every quality business in the world that you can buy Goji Juice from, there are five that will either execute a scam to take advantage of your excitement about Goji products or deliver an inferior product. Goji juice tastes "like" a number of other exotic, tropical fruits. Many vendors, particularly on the internet, may advertise that they are selling pure Himalayan Goji juice and deliver to you a blend that has only a small percentage of Goji mixed with other juices.

While these blended drinks are probably not harmful, when you set out to fill your pantry with 100% pure Goji juice, you are not looking for a substitute. So read the web page or advertisement that you get from a potential vendor that might sell you Goji products and make sure there is no "fine print" to let you know that you will not get the pure Goji you are in the market for.

The internet is a natural marketplace to find people to buy Goji juice from. Because Goji will be imported from China or Tibet and because it is not a product in as wide a use as orange or tomato juice, you will probably either buy Goji juice at the local health food store or organic food outlet or you will order it online. Starting with a local retailer that you have some confidence in is always a good move. While you will pay higher prices when you buy Goji juice over the counter, working with a local vendor allows you to get to know the product names and the producers of pure Goji products that you can trust.

Once you establish a habit of buying Goji juice of a certain brand and from a particular supplier that you have confidence in, you can then take your search to the internet or find ways to order your Goji juice directly in bulk in order to bring the price down. That is a smart way to start with products and companies you trust to find ways to buy Goji juice that you can count on for the long haul.

By: Alex Gwen Thomson

Alyssa Bennet helps people globally to enjoy better health. Himalayan Goji Juice has been researched to support your immune system. Find out how you can feel healthier drinking Himalayan Goji Juicewww.gojijuicegoodness.net Visit Buying Goji Juice: Be Wise!.

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Saturday, December 20, 2008

GOJI BERRIES

Goji Berries: Mother Nature's Vine Grown Vitamins

goji berries
photo credit: Lamiot

by: Britt Gillette


For centuries on end, herbalists in Tibet and Mongolia have recommended small red berries called ‘Goji’ as a remedy for those suffering from a variety of problems. In fact, the people of Tibet and Mongolia hold a two-week annual festival in honor of the goji berry. Many of them have nicknamed the goji berry “happy berry” because in common folklore “to eat goji in the morning will lead to smiles all day”.

But respect for the goji berry isn’t confined to the foothills of Tibet and Mongolia. The goji berry has been used for hundreds of years as a tonic in Chinese medicine. During the Tang dynasty (A.D. 772-842), poet Liu Yuxi wrote a poem celebrating the nourishment of “body and spirit” brought about by the goji berry. Without a doubt, the people of this region of the world love the goji berry. But the goji berry’s introduction to the Western world is still fairly recent, so the berry remains a relatively unknown fruit for a large fraction of the world’s population. So what is a goji berry? And why is it so loved? 

What is a goji berry?

The term goji berry technically refers to the Tibetan goji berry, also known as Lycium Barbarum (its Latin name). It is a member of a family of flowering plants known as the Solanaceae, a plant family which also includes within its ranks potatoes, tobacco, and tomatoes. Roughly eighty different varieties of lycium berry exist, including the Chinese Wolfberry (often touted by Chinese healers as a cure for male sexual dysfunction). However, the Chinese Wolfberry is only considered a genetic cousin of Lycium Barbarum and not a true goji berry.

Goji berries grow on small green-leafed vines that yield a bright red fruit with a shape most resembling a raisin. The berries are extremely delicate, and during harvest, they are shaken from the vine rather than being picked. To avoid spoiling, they are slowly dried in the shade. The texture of a goji berry is very chewy, and its taste is often described as a cross between a raisin and a cranberry. Several additional names are used to describe the goji berry, such as happy berry, gouqi, and gou qi zi.

What makes the goji berry so potent?

Goji berries are believed to be a rich source of vitamins and nutrients with each goji berry purported to contain 18 different amino acids and vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, and E. It is believed that goji berries contain more beta carotene than is found in carrots of equal size. And the goji berry is touted as one of the richest sources of vitamin C in the world, trailing only the Australian billygoat plum and the South American camu camu. Goji berries are also believed to contain zinc, iron, calcium, phosphorus, selenium, and germanium in varying quantities. As a rich source of many of the vitamins and minerals essential to nutrition, goji berries are filled with antioxidants.
The unique properties endemic to the Tibetan goji berry make it one of the more fascinating fruits on Earth. As consumption of the goji berry grows in popularity in other parts of the world, our knowledge of the plant itself is certain to increase. Until then, do yourself a favor and enjoy a delicious goji berry! 
 

About The Author

Britt Gillette educates others on the numerous benefits of Himalayan Goji Juice. Source: http://www.brittgillette.com/gojijuice.htm 

Thursday, December 18, 2008

MANGOSTEEN FRUIT

 Xanthones In The Mangosteen Fruit

mangosteen fruit
photo credit: KayEss



By: D Fraser

A wonderful compound found specifically in mangosteen fruit Xanthones (said zan-thones) are polyphenolic compound sets that are wonderful antioxidants. If you're not familiar with antioxidants then you might want to get a quick over view of exactly what it is they do, for now we'll go a head break down the benefits of Xanthones in Mangosteen fruit.

Xanthones: A Miracle Antioxidant?

Better then most other known types of antioxidants xanthones in mangosteen are said to help slow the aging process of the bodies cells. Folk/Natural medicine also states that the xanthones in mangosteen are very effective at treating numerous ailments and diseases, along with preventing them from occurring at all. Recently medical studies have also proven that there is definitely benefits to these antioxidants and the effect they have on the human body.

Used for centuries in Southeast Asia the mangosteen fruit cured a variety of diseases and ailments. In the western world mangosteens have already exhibited anti fungal an antibacterial properties, and they appear through Xanthones to help strengthen our immune system. This could be wonderful news for those suffering from immune deficiency problems such as HIV.

Xanthones in mangosteen fruit also aid with blood circulation, and help dilate blood vessels. This allows more blood to flow through them, and an over all increased blood flow. For people with poor circulation such as those with diabetes this is good news to naturally help increase blood flow through the body.

Other positive health benefits that xanothones have been credited with curing are: fatigue, depression, eczema, gum disease, pain, obesity, and vertigo. There have also been claims that mangosteen has help slow the progress of Parkinson's, glaucoma, and Alzheimer’s.

Some research on the benefits of xanthones in mangosteen fruit appear to be very promising. Just for the simple anti-viral properties it possesses could turn to be very important in treat viruses. Generally there is no treatment for viral infections like colds, they're just left to run their course.


Will xanthones turn out to bring the mangosteen fruit into the spot light as a healing fruit? Time will tell, providing cancer curing properties isn't easy, and long term studies must be done before the medical community will recognize it at all. For now it's yet another dietary natural supplement you can take in juice, or capsule format. Before taking any Mangosteen product it's a good idea to consult your family doctor of any adverse side effects you might have. 

About the author 
To learn more about fruit visit our website about mangosteen and goji juice at http://www.mangosteen-and-goji.com/mangosteen-health-benefits/xanthones-in-mangosteen/  

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Tuesday, December 16, 2008

GOJI BERRY JUICE

Goji Berry Juice: Superiority Over Other Juices

goji berries
photo credit: miheco

By: EMMANUEL CHAVEZ

Countless benefits of fruit juices have been promoted for overall health and wellness. Despite the availability of various over-the-counter drugs and supplements, fruit juices are still the preferred means of getting an extra energy boost. The goji berry juice is the latest addition to the long list of so-called super-drinks that have gained the recognition of many health experts. Celebrities like Madonna, Elizabeth Hurley, and Gene Simmons are said to include goji berries in their diet for its health properties. Enhanced immune system, anti-fatigue effects, weight-loss, and free radical prevention are some the primary health benefits of goji berry juice

Many stories throughout time have been talked about the goji berry juice benefits. The goji berry traces its origins in the valleys of the Himalayas, China, and Mongolia. This berry is known in Asia as a very nutritious food and have been used as part of traditional Chinese medicine for about 2,000 years because of its natural health benefits. Goji berry juice are said to contain many antioxidants, vitamins, and other nutrients. Several Chinese studies show that the goji berries are rich in antioxidants and other components that have the ability to eliminate the development of many forms of cancer. It said to contain 19 amino acids that help improve metabolism, regulate pressure, and control body weight. These essential amino acids also help fight premature aging. 

Traditional health benefits of goji juice include the following: 

Strengthens the heart and alleviate heart palpitations 
Fights insomnia and forgetfulness 
Contains polysaccharides which control the pituitary glands that produce HGH (human growth hormone) which is a powerful anti-aging hormone 
Can be used by pregnant women to alleviate morning sickness 
Can help improve sexual performance 
Boosts the function of the system 
Has some anti-cancer properties and has been successfully used to treat hepatitis-B 
Has been used successfully for loss 
Helps the body detox, cleans the blood and build the immune system

The health benefits of goji berry juice have been reflected in many medical conditions. This juice may help control obesity, age-related macular degeneration, restore hair color, improve the immune system, treat sexual dysfunction and infertility. Studies show that people who added goji berry juice to their daily food regimen experience a sense of well-being. 

Many nutrition books have suggested that the goji berry juice is one of the most significant discoveries in decades. Because of the anti-aging and other health benefits of this juice it has gained superiority among many kinds of juice. This juice may increase energy vitality and lead to improved overall health and well-being.

However, it is important to make sure that one's goji berry juice contain berries from the Himalayan regions to make sure that these berries contain the polysaccharides that are thought to be the key to the health benefits the goji berry may provide. Many versions of this drink are not 100% goji juice and may contain apple or grape juice. To receive its health benefits, 100% pure Himalayan juice should be consumed.

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

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Monday, December 15, 2008

ACAI BERRY JUICE



acai berry juice


photo credit: botoacai

Acai Berry Juice - One Of The Best Colon Cleansing Products

By: Robert Melkonyan

If you have been hearing a lot about acai berry juice and all the attractive benefits a person could extract from it, you might be thinking that this is probably the newest wonder plant to top all wonder plants. However, acai (pronounced in the local tongue as "asai" or a-sigh-ee) has been cultivated, harvested and used by the local populace in the South American regions since time immemorial. The outside world has just been a little tardy catching up with the many healthful benefits of this wonder plant - but certainly, it is catching up in leaps and bounds.

Although organic acai has the most healthful benefits possible, many people prefer to take acai-based processed products like berry juice with acai extracts. Aside from being more palatable, it is also most convenient. People can certainly make fruit shakes using either semi-processed berries, but in this time and age, it is easier to grab a ready made bottle and pour out a serving. The nutritional value is the same for both. In many cases, people would lobby for fresh fruit juices, but this is almost impossible when it comes to acai.

As a rule, the acai berry deteriorates rather quickly after being harvested. That is basically the reason why it is very difficult to find fresh berries in the local fruit stalls. Often, berries immediately go semi-processing to help retain the nutrients within the berries; and these processing include drying, freezing or even freeze-drying. So unless you want to go to the Amazon or Brazil and wait for harvest season near or within the plantations, creating really fresh acai juices or shakes on your own can be such a task. 

Bottled acai berry juice is usually made from freeze-dried fruits of the acai plant. This method stores the highest concentrations of anti-oxidants as compared to the other preservation methods like drying or freezing. And we all know that anti-oxidants help slow down the aging process, making skin and bones more resilient to the wear and tear of everyday living. However, most berry juices being promoted now that contains acai extracts are touted as one of the best colon cleansing products in the market.

So is this true?

First of all, let us define what the acai fruit carries on its own. Although the pulp of the berry is rather thin as compared to other berries like grapes and lychees, it is known to be very rich source of dietary fiber. The concentration of soluble fiber then in most acai-based berry juices is rather high, and this is the elemental in the promotional of gastro-intestinal or bowel movement. Fibers help flush out toxins from the human digestive system, and at the same time, holds enough fatty acids in the body to promote elasticity in the skin. Without these, dehydration may happen, and we need not tell you that this is not particularly good for you. These fatty acids (depending on the processing that the acai undergoes) may contain omega3, omega6, omega9 and mono saturated oleic acid. So yes, juices or shakes made with acai extracts can be one of the best organic colon cleansing products in the market.

AcaiberryReview.net is the best Acai goji information resource on the web. To get more information about Amazon Acai you must visit our website today!

Article Source: articleclick


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Saturday, December 13, 2008

ACAI BERRY

 Acai Berry Superfood: Provides High Energy, Reduces The Signs Of Aging (anti –aging), Lowers Cholesterol, Kills Cancer Cells And Greatly Increases Heart Health

by: Petrea Dishman

acai palm
photo credit: Frank Krämer

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 grows wild on top of many palm trees that are native to the rainforests of Brazil and the Amazon basin. Local farmers in the area harvest the fruit of the tree, and it is used to make a healthful fruit pulp. This fruit pulp is then quickly frozen in order to preserve its nutrient value.

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.

ENERGY, HEART HEALTH: The Acai berry will give you a high energy boost. It is also thought to have a significant impact on heart health, and on the health of the cardiovascular system. In particular, the Acai berry contains a very high concentration of compounds known as anthocyanins. These compounds are the same ones thought to be responsible for giving red wine its widely reported health benefits. However the Acai berry has 10 to 30 times more anthocyanins then does red wine.

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.

These anthocyanins are known to have significant health benefits, and they are the subjects of many studies. Many people are looking for ways to capture the many health benefits that have been associated with the consumption of red wine, but without the calories and other negative consequences of red wine consumption. The rich, delicious fruit of the acai berry may be able to provide these important health benefits.

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.

HIGH IN ANTIOXIDANTS, DESTROY CANCER CELLS: The antioxidant benefits of the acai berry, combined with the fatty acids it contains, make this one of the most important superfoods on the market. The Acai berry is thought to have an antioxidant content which is a full 10 times greater than that found in grapes, and twice as high as those found in blueberries. As a matter of fact, the acai berry is widely acknowledged to have the highest nutritional value of any fruit in the world, and this has earned it the acai berry the title of superfood. These antioxidants destroy cancer cells. A study done by the University of Florida and published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in January of 2006 did research that showed that the antioxidants in the Acai berry triggered a self-destruct response in 86% of the cultured Leukemia cancer cells tested.

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.

Acai berries can be purchased whole and eaten as part of a healthy diet, but they are most often encountered in juice form. Acai berry juice is widely available both in health food stores and from many Internet retailers. As with other kinds of juice, it is important to ensure that the Acai berry juice you buy is made with 100% pure juice, and that it contains no artificial ingredients or added sugar.

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.

About The Author

Petrea Dishman owns http://www.affordable-health.com. AHB offers savings on Physicians, Hospitalization, Accident Medical, Prescriptions, Dental, more. AHB's affiliate program offers Commissions, Monthly Residuals and Bonuses. Free to Join. 

Article Source: articlecity

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Acai Berries And Good Cholesterol - What's The Relation?


acai berries
photo credit: Psergio



By: Steve Charles

Among the various benefits of the acai berries, the fact that it can help improve the cholesterol levels of the body has gained wide prominence. Let us see these benefits of the berries in greater detail.

First, we must acquaint ourselves a bit with the cholesterols that are present in our body.

Though we use the term 'cholesterol' often singularly, it must be noted that there isn't just one type of cholesterol. Cholesterol is not a single compound, but a family of chemical compounds. To make matters easily understandable, we simple classify cholesterols into good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. Quite understandably, the good cholesterol is the cholesterol that the body requires and the bad cholesterol is the one that is responsible for all those nasty health complications that we hear of.

The good cholesterol is actually the HDL cholesterol (HDL stands for High Density Lipoprotein). They contain a high amount of protein and a lower amount of fat. Such cholesterols will help in the proper fat metabolism in the body. There are some fatty acids, such as those present in olive oil and canola oil, which are needed in the body just so they can absorb fat that come in through the food. In the absence of these oils, the fats will stick to the arteries and cause problems such as atherosclerosis.

The bad cholesterol, on the other hand, is the LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol. This contains a lower proportion of protein and higher proportion of fat. This cholesterol is unhealthy; it can actually stay put inside the arteries, thus obstructing flow. If that happens in the coronary artery, heart problems are only a stone's throw away.

The sorry part of all this is that we cannot eliminate bad cholesterol from our diet. However much healthy we eat, the LDL cholesterols will always enter our body through the food that we eat. Hence, each time we are eating something almost anything we are opening the door a little to health problems.

Mercifully, there are some foods that actually help solve the situation. Acai berries are proudly included in this category. By virtue of the nutrients that they possess, the acai berries can tilt the cholesterol balances in our body so that it has more of the good cholesterol and less of the bad.

How do these berries do it then? Very simply! Acai berries have a strong constitution of useful fatty acids such as oleic, linoleic and palmitic acids. When consumed, these healthy fatty acids enter the body and help dissolve the fat that is un-metabolized yet. In that way, the bad cholesterol from the body is dissolved and converted into energy, which is what the fat's function actually is supposed to be.

Our body can have only so much amount of cholesterol. As the amount of good cholesterol in the body increases, there is a proportional decrease in the amount of bad cholesterol. It is clear to see how our body becomes healthier through the creation of this favorable balance.

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Other health articles

ORAC Values of Acai Berry, Goji Berry, Pomegranate and Mangosteen

Acai Berry Drink


Monday, December 8, 2008

FACTS ABOUT APPLE

facts about apple

Apple - Antioxidants and Secret Health Benefits


An apple, common and seemingly ordinary as it seems, provides so much antioxidants and health giving benefits for
our body. Vitamin C, quercetin, catechin, phloridzin, and chlorogenic acid are some antioxidants present in the apple for scavenging free radicals that are ever present in our bodies.

Maryann Marshall has written an article An Ordinary Apple Holds Many Secrets. It's a comprehensive compilation of the health benefits that an apple provide for our body. It's a good read and makes us appreciate this seemingly ordinary fruit.

"An apple before going to bed makes the doctor beg his bread."

Amazing Antioxidants:

Acai Berry

Goji Berry

Herbal Green Tea Extract



photo by: OTH

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Obese Children Need Higher Antioxidant Levels



photo by: muammerokumus

One important requirement of obese or fat children to
prevent cardiovascular diseases are fruits and vegetables,
which contain lots of antioxidants from carotenoids.
Inflammation are high in obese children and antioxidants can prevent the build up of free radicals which are associated with inflammation.

The results from the research in the University of Newcastle
led by Dr Tracy Burrows showed that obese children have
lower levels of carotenoids compared to leaner children.
They suggested that carotenoids, which are high in
antioxidants, are consumed much faster in obese kids than in normal kids. Lower levels of antioxidants can mean greater risk of diseases such as those related to the heart.


The research team suggested that obese kids should consume larger amounts of fruits and vegetables to elevate the carotenoid levels in their bodies.

Read the rest of the story here.

Antioxidants from carotenoids are fat soluble therefore they can penetrate into fat areas, where water soluble antioxidants could not, to neutralize free radicals to prevent oxidative damage to our cells.

There are also non fat soluble antioxidants like the ones found in green tea which can help control obesity. Combined with other components in green tea, these antioxidants can help burn energy and not store it as fat (thermogenesis).



Other Articles of Interest

Goji Berry Juice  is high in antioxidants and could greatly help our body's need for antioxidants.

Herbal Green Tea Extract - green tea can be more potent when combined with other medicinal herbs.