If you’ve watched television lately, you may have seen one of the many ads promoting various brands of acai berry juice. While this ‘perfect potion’ is new to the United States, it has been familiar in other parts of the world for hundreds of years.

Acai (a-sigh-ee) palm trees are members of the genus Euterpe and grow mostly in Central and South American rain forests. The fruit is a dietary staple in the Amazon region, where various species are used in herbal remedies for diarrhoea, jaundice, fever, skin ulcers, and tonics to enrich the blood. Euterpe oleracea is the variety that’s causing all the buzz.

A classic palm, the acai tree grows as tall as 80 feet. Its multiple long, thin trunks have branches near the top that support long, ribbon like leaves. Dangling from the branches are clusters of three to eight deep-purple berries - so dark that they look almost black. Each berry is about the size of a blueberry and is composed of a small amount of pulp surrounding a large seed.

Acai berries debuted on the global market about seven years ago. Because they are very fragile, until recently most berries were used locally within a day or two of picking. But several local companies now process them for global distribution.
Scientific evidence

One hundred grams (3.5 ounces) of the standard, freeze-dried powder made from acai berry pulp and skin contains 533.9 calories, 52.2 g carbohydrate, 44.2 g dietary fibre, 8.1 g protein, and 32.5 g total fat. While few people consume a serving so large, it is easy to see how a small amount of this nutrient-dense fruit could be very beneficial.

Chemical analysis finds acai juice to be an excellent source of essential fatty acids, fibre, and antioxidants. The National Institute on Aging has developed oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values to measure the antioxidant capacity of various foods. With a rating of 161,400 units/100 g, acai has the highest ORAC value of any food tested to date and is 10-30 times more powerful than red wine by volume.

This rich antioxidant activity has spurred intense research into acai’s potential for preventing numerous diseases.  A University of Florida study showed that acai extract triggered a self-destruct response in up to 86% of leukaemia cells in vitro. In a rat study at the University of Rio de Janeiro, acai extract induced long-lasting endothelium-dependent vasodilatation, which is strongly linked to improved cardiovascular function.

Meanwhile, in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 12 healthy volunteers ingested a standardized acai extract. When serum antioxidant levels were sampled one and two hours later, the concentrations had definitely increased at each interval.

Other touted and likely physiologic results from this berry are increased energy, improved mental clarity, improved GI function, better glycaemic control for diabetic patients, improved cholesterol balance, and a slowing of cellular aging. All these benefits have yet to be proven, but other high-antioxidant products are credited with these effects.

Acai may have another clinical benefit that’s not directly related to nutrition. A study now under way is looking at acai extract as a substitute for gadolinium contrast agents in MRI exams of the GI tract. In earlier research, acai berry pulp was found to have a definite increased T1-weighted MRI signal in vivo, revealing a significant contrast on bowel walls and gastric tissue. Further analysis linked this to spectrophotometric detection of iron, magnesium, and copper ions.

If you want to get some of this delicious berry anywhere in Australia, try the new Amazon Power Acai Powder by clicking here.

Layne Beachley, as many readers may already know, is a woman from the Manly suburb of Sydney, Australia who is regarded by most as the greatest female surfer of all time. She has won the Association of Surfing Professionals’ World Surfing Championship seven times.

One of the secrets to her success, like that of any champion athlete, is her diet. And one of the core components of Layne Beachley’s diet is the Acai fruit.

Now regarded as one of the most nutritious fruits found in the Amazon Rain Forest, Acai berries contain the highest ORAC value of any edible berry in the world. The ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) rating is a standard method of comparing the level of antioxidants present in food products.

Antioxidants are substances, including vitamin E, vitamin C, beta carotene, and active substances in green tea among many others, which protect the body’s cells from the damaging effects of oxidation, or the “rusting” of the arteries and tissues of the body. Oxidation naturally occurs whenever we eat any food, but left unchecked it leads to premature aging and early death.

The Acai berry also contains an abundance of Oleic (omega 9) monounsaturated essential fatty acid, which helps in lowering the “bad cholesterol” LDL and with maintaining the “good cholesterol” or HDL, and Linoleic (omega 6) polyunsaturated essential fatty acid which does the same thing. Thus the fruit provides very healthy fats, essential for strengthening the heart, which lives on fat, something which, of course, all great athletes need.

The Acai berry also contains phytosterols, or plant-derived sterols; these are compounds of plant cell membranes which are highly beneficial to our bodies in numerous ways, but foremost in the reduction of blood plasma cholesterol and sourcing dietary fibre.

And there is still more to the Acai berry, for this special fruit is abundant with a particular class of flavonoids called anthocyanins. These are ubiquitous plant colorants which impart the red, purple, and blue hues found many fruits, vegetables, cereal grains, and flowers.

Represented by over 600 molecular structures, research has found the properties of the Acai berry to boast benefits including: protection from liver damage; significant blood pressure reduction; eyesight improvement; powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities; the inhibition of mutations caused by mutagens that arise in cooked food; and the suppression of human cancer cell growth.

Clearly, the Acai berry and its fresh, all natural juice should be considered a “superfood” and “superdrink”. Health conscious Aussies as well as those who may want to follow in Layne Beachley’s bare footsteps and become champion athletes should incorporate Acai berries and products into their diets.

When it comes to looking good and staying healthy, people today have it pretty rough.  Not only are we exposed to toxins that were unheard of a generation ago, we also have to deal with stresses that differ from those that have come before us.

This is why it might be a little strange that the solution to such new problems is actually one that has been used for thousands of years! The acai berry is a fruit that is found in the Amazon rain forest, and it has long been revered for its beneficial aspects by the people of the area. Now the world at large is waking up to the benefits that this berry offers, so make sure that you don’t miss out.

The first thing that you should realize is that the acai berry is chock-full of antioxidants.  When free radicals are released in your body, they can do all sorts of damage, ranging from premature aging to even promoting certain types of cancer.

The acai berry is a famous provider of antioxidants, with several times the amount of antioxidants found in the much praised blueberry. In addition to this, you will find that it also has excellent levels of fatty acids, that are similar to those found in olive oil and that it also has more than its fair share of amino acids.  These factors all combine to help make the acai berry a winner when it comes to promoting health and longevity in humans.

You’ll also find that there are a number of different benefits that the acai berry can have for your digestion as well.  In the first place, you will find that it has long been used as an appetite suppressant.  How many times have you found a diet sabotaged by hunger pangs?  You will also discover that due to its lower glycaemic index that the acai berry is more filling than you might expect, and it doesn’t hurt that it tastes great as well!  If you are tired of diet food that has no taste or worse yet tastes terrible, now is the time for you to try the acai berry.

There is also the fact that acai berry is often use to promote digestion. When you combine it with a healthy diet and moderate exercise, you will find that you are able to digest food much more efficiently, and at the end of the day, you will discover that this is something that can go a long way towards getting you the results that you need.

Effective digestion can keep you from putting on the weight that happens when your body is not processing as effectively as it should and instead decides to store everything as fat!

The truth of the matter is that people all over Australia are waking up to the acai berry and they are finding that it is improving their lives immeasurably. Whether you want to try acai berry dried, in smoothies or in a juice mix, see what this amazingly tasty, incredibly nutritious super food can do for you!

If you want to get some of this delicious berry anywhere in Australia, try the new Amazon Power Acai Powder by clicking here.

What do Layne Beachley, World Surfing Champion, and Chris friend, the Runner-up ISA Amateur World Surfing Champion have in common?  Besides a love of their chosen sport, these are just two of the athletes that attribute at least some of their success to the power and energy that can be had from consuming acai berry.

The acai berry, found in the Amazon rain forest, is just beginning to be known to the wider world. In its homeland however, it has been the darling of many world class athletes.  When it comes to helping these athletes do their thing, nothing beats the acai berry, and you will find that it can help you too.

There are many reasons that people who participate in sports love the acai berry. The first thing that you will discover is that it provides the people who consume it with a powerful energy boost.

This berry is one way to put some caffeine in your system without resorting to a sugary soda or frighteningly coloured sports drink!  It also helps your body process the food that it gets more effectively. When you are in training, you want to turn your body into an effectively functioning machine, and when it comes to helping you get the most out of your food, the acai berry is the way to go.

More than just athletes can benefit from the use of the acai berry. You’ll also find that anyone who is looking for a natural boost can get a great deal from this Amazonian fruit.

Some major ingredients of the acai berry include vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin B1.  These can keep you working at a high energy level through the day, and along with the fibre and protein that are a part of the berry as well, you will find that it is much easier for your body to repair the damage that occurs daily.

People who are interested in making sure that their bodies do not age prematurely find that the acai berry is an impressive resource when it comes to helping fight off arthritis and other types of swelling.  Thanks to the fact that you will also find that minerals calcium and potassium in the berry, you will be able to help strengthen your bones and keep your skin looking young and resilient.  Many people find that not long after they start enjoying this berry they are feeling healthier, fresher and much more ready to take on the world!

No one ever said that life was easy and if you are trying to get by in modern life in Australia, you already know it. There are plenty of stressors out there that were unknown just five or ten years ago, and it feels like you need to deal with them!  Take advantage of what so many Australians are learning; the acai berry is a great-tasting way to give your body that extra boost, so don’t miss out on it!

Acai berries are South American fruits that are small, round, and only grow deep within the rainforests of the Amazon. Natives have long climbed the trees to harvest these delicate berries by hand. The fruit grows in clusters at the top of a species of palm tree, and are not unlike purple grapes in outward appearance.

The taste of the berries is a luscious combination of mixed berries and dark chocolate. The Acai berry is only about one inch in size, but has relatively little pulp because the seed of the fruit take up almost all of the interior space. For years the Caboclo peoples who live in the Brazilian Amazon have harvested the berries as food and enjoyed various health benefits as a result.

This one berry amazingly accounts for almost 50% of many natives’ dietary intake. The Acai has gained a reputation as being a miniature super fruit. This stems from the fact that it is capable of providing people with great levels of energy and promoting health and overall strength in those who consume it. Some people also believe that it helps to control weight. Native people consider these super berries to give users strong hearts, clear minds and long lives.

The Acai juice and pulp have been used in juice blends and other drinks throughout Peru and Brazil, but have only recently become available in Western countries. People in Brazil eat the fruit fresh but they also share the mashed fruit after it is mixed with tapioca, sugar, and honey. It can even be mixed with granola and added to ice cream. Numerous reports have been carried out in South America with results confirmed by others. These reports document the superior energy that people enjoy when they eat or drink something containing acai berries.

Acai berries contain a tremendous amount of healthy fats and it is for this reason that they are a very perishable food item. Western countries can enjoy Acai in yogurts, juices, or as energy health drinks. It is also available as a frozen fruit pulp or a freeze-dried powder in areas that are some distance from where the berry is harvested.

The fruit contains anthocyanins and resveratrol and studies have shown it to have several benefits to the human body. One of these benefits is that antioxidant levels in the bloodstream increase significantly within 2 hours of drinking a product containing Acai pulp or juice. This increase of antioxidants in the bloodstream heightens the body’s ability to fight free radicals that attack cells.

There are also ongoing studies that suggest that this fruit is good for the heart and blood circulation. Other studies are showing great promise that active ingredients in the berry may even be useful for fighting certain cancers.

For Australians and others who live and play at a fast pace, this fruit is able to provide energy whilst also providing other health benefits.

Increased energy levels and endurance is what many consumers are finding so wonderful about juice drinks that now contain Acai. People who live athletic life styles like swimmers, runners, and other outdoors lovers will find this energy-producing supplement gives them all the energy they need to enjoy their healthy, active lives.

The fruit that has been taking the world by storm is the Acai berry which is really pronounced like (ah-sigh-ee).  You can find it in the South American Amazon rainforest where it sits high on top of palm trees.  The Acai is a small round berry that is blackish-purple in colour.  This delicious Brazilian berry tastes like a special blend of berries and chocolate.

The Amazon tribe’s people have had the pleasure of enjoying the Acai berry for many thousands of years.  It was used not only for medicinal purposes but it also had energy giving qualities as well.

These berries were handpicked by the Amazon tribe’s men.  They would simply climb up the palm trees and harvest the Acai berries from the tree’s top branches.  Now the world over, even as far away as Australia, are extolling the many health benefits of the Acai berries.  Many athletes and other high performing people use the Acai as their ‘secret weapon’ as they excel in their chosen activities.

The Acai berry is full of amino acids, antioxidants and essential fatty acids.  These are all of vital importance in maintaining a healthy diet.  Here is some very good nutritional information that will tell you why the Acai berry is so good for us to eat:

This berry is full of amino acids and has more proteins than one egg. Its fatty acids are similar to the ones that are found in olive oil and it contains twice the number of antioxidants as blueberries and ten times that of grapes.

Acai berries contain over 16 phytonutrients and antioxidants, 30 times the amount of anthocyanins as found in red wine and pack in 44.2g of fibre per 100g of berry. On top of this acai berries have a low glycaemic and are high in macro and trace minerals and vitamins.

This berry has an amazing number of health benefits due to its nutritional makeup.  Berries are antibacterial, have antioxidant properties, are anti-mutagenic, act as an anti-inflammatory and are very good for the cardiovascular system.  The Acai berry works to lower levels of bad cholesterol that may be found in the blood while it maintains the levels of good cholesterol.  One of the main jobs of the Acai berry is to lower the levels of cholesterol in blood plasma.

The Acai berry is a rich source for anthocyanins which are very good for the blood vessels, eyes, nervous system and connective tissue.  The flavanoids in the Acai berry help protect your body against disease.  The berry seems to strengthen visual acuity in the eyes and helps prevent macular degeneration and glaucoma.

The Acai berry seems to help people who have sleep problems.  It helps provide a more natural sleep for the body.  The Acai berry has been used for many centuries to both cleanse and detoxify the body.

Wow! This little berry is a nutrient goldmine. You can either take the Acai berry in the form of capsules or you may drink the pureed pulp.  Either way, you are sure to feel the many benefits of this amazing berry as it works its wonders on you! Give it a go and see for yourself.

If you want to get some of this delicious berry anywhere in Australia, try the new Amazon Power Acai Powder by clicking here.

Well, since Dr Nicholas Perricone appeared on Oprah to tell everyone about it, perhaps the Acai Berry isn’t quite such a secret any more.  For those not already in the know, Dr Perricone puts the Acai Berry right at the top of his list of 10 ‘Super Foods’ and there are now statistics galore that prove to us just how incredibly healthy this grape sized berry is.

Let’s examine the case in more detail.
The Acai palm (the letter c is pronounced as an s) is native to the Amazon region and has long been a popular part of Brazilian cuisine.  The Acai has a lovely berry flavour, with a slight hint of chocolate in its aftertaste, and the Brazilians have used the juice and the pulp in blends, smoothies, sodas, ice creams and other drinks.  It has also traditionally been served with tapioca or granola - either as a sweet or a savoury.  Although nutritionists have been aware of its value, the fact that the Acai is so perishable that it spoils within 24 hours of being picked has been a real deterrent for those people wanting to export it.

But now things have changed.
So what are the health benefits of this fruit that have caused such interest amongst American experts?  Well, for starters, Acai has an amazing 10 times the antioxidant power of red grapes and twice that of blueberries.  Even more promising is that the antioxidant components are ‘slow-acting’, which indicates that the antioxidant effect is more sustained.  The Acai is rich in fatty acids, containing high levels of the monounsaturated fatty acid known as oleic acid, enabling it to reduce blood cholesterol levels.  Studies at the University of Florida also suggest that the Acai contains polyphenolics which can reduce the spread of leukaemia cells.  To summarise, Acai Berries are at the top of the Super Food list because they can prevent and reduce inflammations; regulate your metabolism and burn your body fat; lower your cholesterol and blood pressure; protect against cancer and heart disease; promote good digestive health - and, just for good measure, give you energy!

Simply eating the berries or using them in the traditional manner of the Brazilians has always been near impossible for people living far from the Amazon Basin. But now there are two ways that the berry is being transported.  Firstly, Acai pulp from the Amazon is being frozen and shipped to the USA.  Some juice bars now are beginning to have Acai smoothies - although they are often on the expensive side.
More accessible, though, is the Acai powder which results from the pulp being dehydrated and freeze-dried.  The resulting powder is easier and cheaper to export and can be used to make pure Acai supplements that have all the nutritional benefits of the original fruit.  That last point is worth stressing - the freeze-dried powder has all the health-giving properties of the berry itself.

A word of caution, though.  When you’re choosing your Acai supplement, read the packaging to make sure that it’s the genuine berry skin and pulp that has been used in the manufacturing process.  Some of the products on the market use mainly the Acai seed, which has been crushed.  The only value of the seeds is to make necklaces from them or burn them as a source of energy - nutritionally, they have little value.
This amazing Acai fruit is one of the most nutritious foods in the world - and now it’s within the reach of everybody, not just those who go to Brazil for their vacations.

For decades the Amazon tribes have been known to have nutritional secrets that help them stay healthy, both physically and mentally. One of their greatest and most important secrets is the acai berry. If you have browsed Google or looked at nutrition websites, you have most likely seen this berry mentioned. Most western countries however are only now beginning to discover the benefits of acai.

This secret is considered to be one of the best nutrition secrets revealed! The berry’s origin is in Brazil, and while you might expect the berry to be sweet and juicy, you can actually expect to taste a hint of chocolate in the acai berry, which is very unusual when it comes to berries that we know about. You might not have heard about this berry for one specific reason, it grows at the top of a palm tree, and it can only be found within the rainforest of the Amazon. The Amazon tribes do not just eat this berry; they have a variety of ways that they use the acai berry.

When it comes to the qualities of the various nutritional and healing properties of the acai berry, the Amazon tribes believe that there are many uses for this berry, and that it should be used to its full potential. For years, this tribe has been using the acai berry as an antidote for various illnesses that they have encountered within the Amazon.

What does the acai berry provide? In just one single berry, you’ll be nourishing your body with amino acids, essential fatty acids, including Omega 6 and 9, and antioxidants. All of these are an extremely important part of a healthy diet.

The berries have more protein than eggs, have fatty acids like those in olive oil, and have twice as many antioxidants than you’d find in blueberries. The berries also contain many different vitamins such as vitamin E, C, B, B1, B2, and other elements such as calcium, iron, potassium, and phosphorus.

Various clinical studies have been able to answer the biggest question about the acai berry; what does it do for my body? The berry has been said to be a complete super fruit, one of the most nutritious fruit on the earth! This berry can not only fill up your belly, it also helps to nourish your entire body, and this includes your mind. The berry can give you balanced nutrition that will boost your energy levels, which will allow you to concentrate and focus more throughout your daily activities.

The berry is great if you have cardiovascular system ailments because it is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-mutagenic. The fatty acids in the berry as known to lower levels of bad cholesterol while maintaining and possibly raising levels of good cholesterol.

Most important, the acai berry is able to cleanse and detoxify the body of any harmful toxins. Though the acai berry isn’t extremely popular in many places yet, it has been booming in Australia. As the berry becomes more and more popular and more readily available, you are sure to see an increase in the number of acai berry products. Currently you can purchase the berries and eat them in cereal, as a juice, or even enjoy an acai berry smoothie; healthy and delicious!

The world’s largest rainforest, the Amazon’s borders extend into eight countries. The Amazon River basin contains one fifth of the world’s fresh water supply and the area is teeming with wildlife of all sorts. One third of all animal and plant species on Earth may be found in the Amazon.

It is in this lush, flourishing environment that the acai berry grows. According to sources, the native Amazon tribes use almost 2,000 of the 3,000 known rainforest fruits for remedial purposes. The acai berry is one of the most potent and powerful of these fruits.

Despite its use in the treatment of ailments for thousands of years, the acai berry remained virtually unknown to the western world before around 1990. But at last, we too are able to tap into the amazing health benefits that the acai berry possesses.

Naturally rich in antioxidants, the acai berry contains ten times as many if these compounds as do grapes and twice as many as do blueberries. They also contain fibre, protein and minerals.

Another benefit of the acai berry is its high level of anthocyanins. These compounds are said to be responsible for some of the health benefits of red wine. The acai berry however, contains higher levels of anthocyanins and eliminates other risks associated with alcohol.

And there’s yet more benefits to this amazing tropical fruit; the acai berry is believes to be one of the most effective anti-aging foods. It is believed among health food enthusiasts that the anthocyanins and the antioxidants found in the acai berry are responsible for these anti-aging benefits.

Acai berries have been used in making wine with a higher nutritional value, to fight the disease schistosomosis (which is transmitted by snails) and in manufacturing an antibiotic to combat staph infections - this is a berry which has a wealth of nutritional benefits and a lot of different applications.

The acai berry is a little, round, black-purple drupe about 1 inch in diameter. There is a similarity between this and grapes in look and feel. Whilst the immense popularity of this fruit lies in the fact that it provides incredible health benefits the flavour is also simply superb. Perhaps the easiest way to enjoy the benefits of the acai berry is by drinking it as a juice or in smoothies.

If providing more fuel for your athletic fire or being able to up your game is what you are looking for then you are more than likely to be searching for a product rich in antioxidants and nutrients. This, of course, will also help you to recover at a faster speed and allow your stamina to last longer whilst partaking in your sport.

You can do all of this with a delicious and refreshingly energising product which is sure to make the drug of caffeine history. And even better, it tastes remarkably like chocolate with a hint of freshly ripened berries.

Does it sound too good to be true? Well, let us tell you a little more about it before revealing what it actually is. For people with an extremely active way of life who require increased strength and stamina, or even for those simply leading a busy life as far as their careers are concerned and who would like to have more energy to enjoy sports and exercise, this fabulous food may be just what you are looking for.

Recent studies have shown that as a freeze dried powder containing around 500 calories, 52 carbohydrates, 44 grams of fibre, 32 grams of total fat, and 8 grams of protein per 100 grams, this product provides all the fibre needed in a day as well as the nutrients of a full meal.

This food is super rich and chocolaty and contains high levels of vitamin A, as well as six fatty acids one of which inhibits the absorption of dietary cholesterol and nineteen essential amino acids.

The flavanoid can be compared to those of blueberries and antioxidants ten times higher than those of wild blueberries and cranberries are present in the dark purple skin of this food. The total antioxidant strength of this super food was tested and has an ORAC value of 1027 micromol TE per gram.

So would you like to know what this food with its optimising and healing secrets is? Well, it?s the acai berry, pronounced a-sigh-ee, with its deliciously fruity and chocolatey taste.

The natives of Brazil where this super food grows on the Eutepe palm trees use the berry to charge up their energy levels as well as for medicinal purposes. The fruit and roots of the tree are used to treat gastrointestinal problems and disease and the heart can often be found served up as an ingredient of salad.

The crop grows in huge bunches of between seventy and eighty fruits of around one inch each and at least three crops are harvested every year from each tree. The fruits are enjoyed by the locals who use it to add flavour to their ice creams, sodas and other favourite foods.

When you purchase your freeze dried fruit pulp you are not just super charging your body with high levels of nutrients and antioxidants, you are also providing jobs for local native cultures. This way native Brazilians no longer need to cut down the rain forest to make a living, your purchase provides rich commerce.

Farmland will not be cut down to make way for the acai berry as it is native to the area and neither will forestation take place as the spent palm trees provide great firewood and fuel.

Additionally, the palm leaves can be used for making hats, bags, and even roof thatch. The wood is pest resistant and serves as excellent sources of building material. All of which also contribute greatly to the local commerce.

So now you know all about the acai berry are you ready to do your part towards saving the rain forest whilst super charging your body? Do you want to try this fabulous tasting food? If you are looking to fuel your body with the highest antioxidants and most nutritious product known to man then you are definitely ready to try the deeply rich and chocolaty acai berry right now.

If you want to get some of this delicious berry anywhere in Australia, try the new Amazon Power Acai Powder by clicking here.