by Acai (pronounced ah-SAH-ee) is a small, dark purple berry indigenous to the Amazon. The berries look like a cross between a blueberry and a grape but are actually quite different in structure, flavor and nutrition. Acai fruit grows in profusion in grape-like clusters on the tall, lean acai palm trees. It is only recently that the acai has become popular outside of Latin America, and due to its profound health benefits, acai consumption has exploded.
In the Amazon region, acai berries are used for everything -- they are cooked with fish, vegetables, and breads, made into a pulp or juice, or served for breakfast with sugar and grains. For some, this deep, rich fruit makes up around 40 percent of their total diet. Brazilian natives claim the berry is in almost instantaneous source of energy and sustains them for hours. An acai berry is about 80 percent seed and 20 percent fruit. Freshly picked, the berries are hard, unlike other berries. They have to be soaked in water for softening. Acai berries are not naturally very sweet, so sugar is usually added. Their flavor is unique: wild berries with a distinct chocolate taste. Extremely perishable, acai pulp is freeze-dried and formed into large bricks, and then shipped around the world and made into a variety of products from powders, to extracts, to juice blends.
Acai is a food staple in the Amazon, but in the West, these berries are the ultimate superfood. Loaded with free radical-disarming antioxidants, amino acids, proteins and fatty acids, acai berries are a much more solid source of nutrition than the average blueberry or cranberry.
Consumed for the myriad health benefits of acai, from lowering cholesterol levels, slowing the aging process, to weight loss, they are described as the 21st-century miracle food. Whether they can live up to their reputation or not ultimately depends on personal experience, but the chemical makeup of the acai is loaded with potential.One of the health benefits of acai is to help lower cholesterol levels. Rich in linoleic and oleic acids, acai berries are an excellent source of good fatty acids. These omegas work by minimizing LDLs (low density lipoproteins), which are harmful, artery-clogging cholesterols. A buildup of LDLs can lead to heart problems, heart attack or stroke. Acai's omega-6 and omega-9 supply HDL (high density lipoprotein), which nourish both the heart and brain. These good fats assist the body's natural process of eliminating bad fats and support the entire cardiovascular system.
As if this wasn't reason enough to start drinking acai smoothies for lunch, these berries are also packed with antioxidants -- nature's compounds that disarm and obliterate the free radicals that harm cells and lead to disease and deterioration. Acai berries are ranked as the highest source of antioxidants of any food, with 10 times the amount of grapes and twice the amount of blueberries.
Acai has a particularly high concentration of anthocyanins, which are an antioxidant in the flavonoid family of phytochemicals. Anthocyanins are powerful chemicals, working to slow the aging process, prevent cancer and improve skin cells. Cyanidin-3 glucoside, the anthocyanin present in acai berries, is three times stronger than the anthocyanin found in red wine.
Acai berries also supply a range of beneficial nutrients. They boast a strong vitamin and mineral content, with as much calcium as milk per serving, and commendable amounts of iron, folate, magnesium, potassium and vitamins B, C, D and E. Acai pulp is also extremely fibrous, making it a good source of soluble fiber, which helps rid the body of toxins and waste.
Many proponents of acai love the fruit for its energy supply. Rich in amino acids, acai is traditionally used for endurance, strength and sustained energy. One of its phytochemicals is a natural stimulant - theobromine. This compound stimulates oxygen flow, which increases the body's energy efficiency. It is this same chemical that gives acai its label as a weight-loss supplement. Theobromine not only increases energy, but it also suppresses appetite. Acai berries are a safe, nutritious way to help lose weight.
With all the health benefits of acai, the natural question is -- is it safe? Can a food have so many beneficial qualities without some side effect or negative repercussion? As of now, there are no known reasons not to take acai. It is reported to be completely safe for everyone. This doesn't mean that we should all switch to an acai berry diet. There are some issues to consider.
While there have been numerous studies to prove the health claims of acai and to ensure its safety, acai is still a relatively new food to most of the world. As with any food or nutritional supplement, consume acai in moderation.
Many women who are pregnant or breastfeeding wonder if acai might be beneficial for their health and that of their child. No research has concluded that the superfruit isn't safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women, but there also isn't research to say that it is. If concerned, always talk to your doctor.Because acai is a natural stimulant, it may not be the best drink before going to bed. Also, those who are sensitive to heart palpitations or excitability should try acai in small amounts to test for any reaction.
People in the Amazon have been eating the fruit for thousands of years, with zero known negative impact on their health. They also have the advantage of eating fresh berries. The rest of us do not. We can only find acai after it has been freeze-dried and processed. Because of its popularity, many manufacturers make products with acai fruit in it, but not all of them will yield the high nutritional content. The more acai is processed, the less value it will have. Look for brands that have certified organic acai, and list acai as the main ingredient, such as Amazon Thunder.
Acai berries are unquestionably a remarkable fruit. Unique, versatile, and abundant, they are one of the many treasures of the Amazon. Everyone can benefit from acai, so enjoy the guilt-free acai sorbet for dessert or the second glass of acai juice at breakfast, with confidence that you are doing something good for your body.