What is Acai Berry -- Marketing Hype or Amazing Antioxidant?
We'll give you the low down on acai berry information, but before we get to that, let us start by saying we love acai -- we believe it's a healthy and delicious addition to smoothies (as a frozen puree) and can be a powerful antioxidant -- but only when it's in the right form! More on that below. There are a staggering number of acai berry products on the market right now and just as many incredible claims about what it can do for you... so it's important -- to your health and to your wallet -- to separate the fact from the fiction, which is exactly what we'll do here. OK, back to the original question: What is acai berry? 
Acai is a palm fruit which grows in the upper Amazon region of Brazil. The berries grow in twelve-pound bunches on the acai palm. In their natural and unprocessed form, these small, dark purple berries have very little to no sweetness and what’s particularly remarkable is the fatty, filling taste of this fruit.
Acai berry is one of the only fruits that contains essential omega 3 fatty acids. In fact, one of the telltale signs of fresh acai berries in Rio De Janerio is that the frozen drink has a very oily sheen on top of it. And here's the rub -- acai spoils extremely quickly, and must be frozen within 24 hours after being picked. Most of its benefits are lost if it is not processed properly. Fresh acai for drinks must be in refrigeration from where the berry is picked in the Amazon until it reaches its final destination. The other way to preserve the beneficial components of acai is to freeze-dry the berry. This is particularly important to understand when looking for a reputable product.
Acai was being used by the indigenous people and settlers in the upper Amazon outside of the city of Belem before it was popularized by health experts in Rio de Janeiro in the 1970’s. The most common way acai is consumed today is as a frozen juice mixed with guarana (a natural herbal stimulant found in the jungle) and sugar. It is also used as a soup (only available fresh in Northern Brazil) with savory foods, as a medicine for digestive disorders and skin conditions, and as a supplement in pill and liquid form (mostly in the U.S. and Europe).
If processed and shipped properly, what are the health benefits of acai berry? We know that it is full of phyto-nutrients and anthocyanins, powerful anti-oxidants. In fact the concentrations are much higher than in red wine and almost all other fruits! It's an extremely nutritious food rich in B vitamins, minerals such as potassium, fiber, and omega 3 fatty acids. Acai is a great addition to a healthy diet to boost your anti-oxidants and get heart healthy omega 3s. Acai also contains:
Finally, most acai products in pill form simply don’t work. The amount of acai in many products is minute and/or improperly processed, therefore, the efficacy must be questioned. In addition, many of the health drinks on the market use pasteurized acai concentrate and most of the benefits are destroyed in the process. Many of these bottled drinks contain less anthocyanins than a serving of 15 to 20 grapes.
Acai can be another helpful food or supplement in a healthy diet. As we mentioned, it's delicious when added as a high quality frozen puree to your morning smoothie, imparting a rich, satisfying taste and vibrant berry color. (But don't forget about other great fruit antioxidants available locally... like blueberries!) Before you choose an acai berry product... Do your homework, choose your product carefully, and enjoy this wonderful gift from the Amazon!
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