Bordering eight separate countries, the Amazon is the largest rainforest in the world. Not only does its massive river basin provide one fifth of the world’s freshwater but it teems with uncountable varieties of birds and freshwater fish. In fact, one third of all living animal and plant species are found in 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.
People in the Amazon region have known of the benefits of the acai berry for a long time now- but around 1990, this fruit began to gain some exposure to the outside world as well. Now, the acai berry and its health and nutritional benefits are available to the world.
The acai berry is a natural source of antioxidants, with ten times the antioxidant level of grapes and twice that of blueberries. There is also fibre and protein to sweeten the deal – and of course there is the flavour; the acai berry has a taste reminiscent of both chocolate and blueberries.
The acai berry also contains high levels of anthocyanins; the compounds which give red wines some of their health benefits. The acai berry contains a larger amount of anthocyanins than does wine and is also free of the negative effects of alcohol.
The benefits don’t stop there! The acai berry is listed as an effective anti-aging super food in health food circles and is actually believed to decelerate the aging process. This is presumed to be a joint effect of the anthocyanins and the antioxidants found in the berry.
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 berry itself is a round purplish berry which is about an inch around. The acai berry looks a bit like a grape and feels like one too. The incredible popularity of this superfood is because of its many health benefits. An added bonus is that the flavour is also wonderful. The acai berry is best consumed in the form of juice or incorporated into smoothies.
Source: energy drink
