The Appetising Power Of Acai

From the forests of Brazil comes a strange sounding fruit some are naming ‘the wonder berry’ . Pronounced ass-eye-ee, Acai is gaining a big following in the western world, with the US Health Sciences Institute calling it ‘nature’s perfect food’ .

So, just what is it about Acai that is making it so popular? Well, for starters, it has more than thirty times the anthocyanins of red wine. Anthocyanins are a type of powerful antioxidant that protects many body systems from the damaging effect of free radicals and oxidative stress . Free radicals have been linked to cancer, aging and other damaging diseases.

Secondly, Acai contains all the essential fatty acids of olive oil (Omega 3, 6 and 9), which help to lower cholesterol levels in the body. Acai itself contains zero cholesterol. And if that wasn’t enough, Acai also contains a range of other beneficial nutrients including vitamins, minerals, amino acids and phytosterols which can help to promote health.

The production of the Acai berry offers great promise to the communities of Brazil, where the Acai is cultivated as it is a high income, low impact crop. Much of the Amazon rainforest has been destroyed to make space for intensive cattle rearing or the extraction of palm hearts. Acai on the other hand can be harvested without cutting the down the whole tree, as only the branch needs to be cut and can contain up to 900 berries at a time .

Ryan Black of Sambazon, a company which exports freeze-dried Acai, says: “When we found out that sustainably-managed açaí was a perfect model of the Triple Bottom Line success (economic, environmental, social), that all the NGOs (non-governmental organisations) are trying to prove then we decided this message needed to be shared with the world.”

To boost your body’s defences you may choose to try Acai, often sold in juice or supplement form to preserve its potency, which should be available in all good health stores.

The Independent (2006). Superfoods: all you need to eat.
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/superfoods-all-you-need-to-eat-407430.html
Times Online (2003). Acai: main squeeze in Brazil.
http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/diet_and_fitness/article1160473.ece
Stirling, R. MD (Dec 2001). Nutrition Science News. Got Anthocyanins?
http://www.newhope.com/nutritionsciencenews/nsn_backs/Dec_01/antho.cfm
The Guardian (2007). Can the discovery of new fruit used in smoothies save the rainforest?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2007/nov/18/foodanddrink.features9
Times Online (2003). Acai: main squeeze in Brazil.

By: Philip Youngwood

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