Foreign acai tree grows juicy benefits

Kristin's Kitchen
Wednesday, 25 February 2009


As I was eating my bowl of blueberries this morning, though they were quite tasty, I found myself wishing for the healthier alternative. However, I couldn’t find time to travel to the Amazon and back today.

If only Brazil were closer.

Sure, Brazilians have been known to possess one significant quality that leaves the average American tapping his foot and looking at his watch: they’re laid back.

But they also have something else we pale, uptight Americans don’t have: the acai berry.


First thing that might surprise you is this small, purplish black fruit very similar in appearance to a blueberry contains more than twice the amount of antioxidants with about 167 mg per serving.

Pomegranates come in second with 105 mg, blueberries have 61 and strawberries have about 26, according to acai.com.

The acai berry contains 30 times the antioxidants found in red wine and is rich in omega fats, according to sambazon.com/acai.html.

Essential or omega fatty acids, found in items like olive oil, tuna and salmon, are crucial to hormone production in the body and have shown to decrease LDL, or bad, cholesterol, according to dieticians and nutritionists. They can also decrease blood pressure, blood clot formation and inflammation.

The fruit grows on thin palm trees in large bunches, sort of like bananas. However, they accumulate in huge amounts on a series of skinny twigs protruding from each branch. The website describes it as having a “rich, berry-cocoa flavor.”

Though very difficult to find in the States - fresh, acai berries can be found in some juices, beauty products, smoothies and supplements at the grocery or convenience store. One product growing in popularity among college students is vitamin water, and the XXX flavor contains acai, as well.

The berry is also thought to significantly increase energy and sex drive. Other benefits include, but are not limited to: helping to maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, relieving headaches and dizziness, helping you look and feel more youthful, improving disease resistance and bettering the overall quality of sleep, according to acai.vg/.

So, though you may have never thought of visiting Brazil or have a negative opinion of it, maybe this will make you change your tune to a more energetic one, at that.

The Brazilians’ laidback demeanor is unlikely the direct result of the consumption of this tasty berry, but it probably helps in their every day energy levels and good mood.

Source: theapp.appstate.edu