The Various Uses of Acai Berry

Touted as the next Superfood, the Acai Berry is no doubt, every inch a ‘super berry’ that the experts claim.  After the western world became familiar with its immense nutritional properties, intense research was carried out to establish whether the fruit really had so many vital nutrients packed within its small grape-like body.
Dr. Nicholas Perricone who is an M.D.; FACN and also an expert in nutritional medicine rates the Acai Berry number 1 on his ‘List of Superfoods’ and calls it the ‘nature’s perfect energy food’.  The author of the famous ‘The Wrinkle Cure’ and ‘The Perricone Promise’ has high praises for the Acai Berry.  Research indicates that Acai is indeed the world’s best anti-oxidant.  It has the capacity to kill the free radicals that destroy our cells and hence prevent cancer and prolong ageing.
Acai Berry extract has been projected as the super-weight loss formula by nutritional medicine experts.  With obesity becoming one of the most dreaded diseases, there is ample market for Acai as the natural weight-loss solution.  However, it cannot solely cause weight loss the way a medicine would.  It simply helps the process of weight-loss by detoxifying the body of free-radicals and other such elements.
People who have experienced the horrific side-effects of allopathic medicines would definitely prefer if they could solve their weight-issues without resorting to medicines.  It’s best to turn to nature when marvels like Acai are available.  Even if you are not over-weight, it is beneficial to add Acai to your regular diet as it has colon cleansing properties.
The Acai Berry is a completely fiber-packed fruit with 45% of its weight being fiber. This is the highest amongst all the fruits.  It’s this fiber content that helps keep the digestive system robust and cleans the colon keeping you away from colon-cancer.  Its high vitamin C content helps maintain teeth health and hygiene and prevents the bleeding of gums.  Apart from this the high vitamin E and C content helps in the creation of neurotransmitters thus reducing the chances of brain diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.  However, Acai Berry cannot be used as a cure for any of these diseases.  It can be used only as a dietary supplement for improved health and well-being.
The Acai Berry has a short-shelf life of about 24 hours.  So in order to reap the complete benefit of this wonder-fruit, consumers would need to eat it as fresh as possible.  The best bet perhaps would be to go for the freeze-dried or the frozen pulps because they retain the maximum nutrient value of the fruit.  It’s best to conduct a complete research about all the available products before buying one.

How Acai Berry Became So Popular

The Acai Berry can no doubt be called the ‘queen of all berries’ because its anti-oxidant properties can put any other fruit to shame.  Found in the deep dark forests of the Amazon, this wonder of a fruit is every health conscious person’s delight.  What is so special about this fruit that has made the world go crazy about it?  We have seen a boom in Acai Berry products recently.  Any product that remotely mentions the word ‘Acai’ will find immediate takers.  The deep purple fruit enjoys phenomenal popularity and there is no dearth of celebrities ready to endorse it.  Let’s delve deep in to the history of this fruit that has made it to the headlines in recent past.
The inhabitants of Brazil have known the benefits of Acai since time immemorial. It has always been a part of their staple diet.  The Acai berry has lived an anonymous life for a very long time.  Probably because the tropical forests in the Amazon, where it grew in abundance, were cut off from modern civilization for a really long time.
The western world remained ignorant about Acai Berry until the 1990s.  Moreover, it has a very short shelf-life due to its high fat content.  It would be a waste to eat the fruit after 8 hours of its being plucked from the Acai palm on which it grows. The nutritional value would become nil.  It completely decays after 24 hours of picking and so, carrying it out of Brazil was out of question.
However, as Brazil embarked on a path of progress, the visiting scientists and the western community heard of the marvelous berry from the locals.  Based on what they heard from the natives, they began their research and were delighted to find that the claims of the natives were indeed true.  Later the Acai Berry was found in the South American forests as well.  So, the Acai Berry research gained momentum.
The observations confirmed that the berry had a high anti-oxidant content and thus had important anti-ageing, colon cleansing and anti-cancer properties.  It was found to be beneficial for a number of ailments including sleep disorders, sexual performance related problems, stamina issues, weight problems etc.  Its protein content is as high as 9/100 grams which makes it an ideal diet for muscle builders.  Its high vitamin C content makes it an ideal cure for gingivitis and other teeth related problems.  Its vitamin E content helps the brain to function properly and prevents Alzheimer’s disease.
As these benefits of the Acai Berry became known to the people, the demand for it increased.  Thus the Acai came to be cultivated commercially.  The problem of short shelf life was solved by modern methods of preservation like freeze-drying and pulping.
Today, the berry boasts of an amazing number of followers and has assumed the proportion of a fad-diet for weight-loss.  It has found mention in the Oprah Winfrey Show.  So, what can we say about this stomach soother cum anti-oxidant cum aphrodisiac?  ‘Berry’ well indeed!

How Acai helps in lowering Cholesterol

Acai Berry with its various advantages is taking the world by storm. Its popularity is due to the fact that unlike various other products those are not as effective. The acai berry is a natural and effective remedy for various health issues. From weight loss to digestive problems, the acai berry can be a pleasant and natural remedy to a host of health concerns.
The acai berry helps in maintaining the overall fitness of the body. It is a rich source of anthocynanin, a compound which is known for its heart health benefits. It is rich in protein and fiber along with high levels of omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids which not only protect the heart but also reduce the level of cholesterol without affecting the beneficial ones. Loaded with fatty acids, fibre and physosterols, the acai berry can provide much needed relief for people with digestive issues. Physosterols build cell membranes thus resulting in a healthier digestive tract.
The acai berry is found to have high levels of phenols and anti-mutagenic compounds which improve the immune system making the body less susceptible to disease and illness. It also contains phytosterols which reduce blood plasma cholesterol. The berry also contains sterols and beta-sitosterol which further contribute to cholesterol management. The acai berry’s property to naturally reduce cholesterol level also helps in preventing heart ailments. The acai berry also acts as a detoxifying agent as it helps remove harmful toxins and waste from the body thus helping to maintain good health. This also helps in weight loss as toxins can create a hurdle in losing weight.
The fibres in the berry help in absorption of nutrients and effective disposal of wastes from the body through increased blood circulation. This also helps in regulating the cholesterol build up in the body.  Acai berry is also instrumental in boosting energy levels within the body which again helps in cholesterol regulation. More energy translates into the burning of more cholesterol thus leading to the management of cholesterol levels in the body.
Thus we see that acai berry with its various helpful properties can be the ultimate weapon against body dysfunction caused due to high cholesterol. The fact that it also tastes good is an added bonus to all the people out there who cringe at the thought of consuming another vile tasting product which may be good for the body but definitely bad for the tongue.  Therefore the highly effective acai berry is definitely a clear winner in the race for maintaining a healthy body.

REFERENCES:
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Acai-Berry-Can-Reduce-Cholesterol-Levels&id=4412254
http://ezinearticles.com/?Best-Diet-to-Lower-Cholesterol—Are-Acai-Berries-the-Best-Kept-Secret-For-Lowering-Cholesterol?&id=1879321

Does Acai Berry help in Lowering Cholesterol?

It is true that Acai Berry can help you maintain a lower cholesterol level. Acai Berry is high in nutritional value and is being called the “super fruit”. Acai Berry has kept Brazilians healthy for years. Now, it is becoming popular in the west because it can help prevent many diseases.
Studies confirm that Acai Berry is the most nutritional fruit ever known on Earth. It has anti-oxidants and fibers that prevent many diseases. The insoluble fiber reduces the risk of many types of cancers. Acai Berry promotes healthier cardio vascular system and helps in premature anti-aging. It is rich in carbohydrates, proteins and minerals. It also gives you energy without generating cholesterol during digestion in the body. Before we know how Acai Berry works on our body, we should understand cholesterol.
Cholesterol is present in the body in two types – the “good cholesterol” or High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and the “bad cholesterol” or the Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL). HDL has high amount of protein and low amount of fats. HDL helps in fat metabolism in the body. Good cholesterol is what keeps our heart safe and prevents heart strokes and it is important for our body to maintain higher levels of the good cholesterol.
LDL is the complete opposite. LDL contains low amount of proteins and high amount of fat and it causes heart problems. In order to remain healthy, we need a lower level of LDL and higher level of HDL. The fats need to be absorbed or they can cause blockage of the arteries, hindering the blood flow and giving way to heart problems.
Acai Berry has omega 3, omega 6 and omega 9 fatty acids present in it. Including Acai Berry in a diet would help in metabolism of the fatty acids present in the body. Acai Berry can strengthen the blood flow through the arteries and lessen the level of the “bad cholesterol”. There could only be a limited amount of cholesterol present in the body. A balance is needed in the body. So when Acai Berry gets rid of the bad cholesterol, it also helps in increasing the levels of the good cholesterol.
People suffering from cholesterol need a proper diet and lots of exercise to keep them fit. Doctors recommend a change of lifestyle and if that doesn’t help, the patient is put on medications. Consuming Acai Berry along with the diet plan could help you give better results. Even with the growing popularity of the fruit, it is still hard to find. Its availability is on a hike but beware of the fake manufacturers in the market misleading the consumers. It is the natural solution to your many troubles so use it well.


REFERENCES
http://neutral-izer.blogspot.com/2008/12/acai-berries-and-good-cholesterol-whats.html
http://webforhealth.com/does-acai-berry-lower-your-cholesterol/
http://www.vitaminsdiary.com/acai-berry/lower-cholesterol.htm
http://ezinearticles.com/?Acai-Berry-Diet-and-Cholesterol-Level—How-the-Dynamic-Duo-Fight-Strokes-and-Heart-Attacks&id=1862340
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Acai-Berry-Can-Reduce-Cholesterol-Levels&id=4412254
http://www.astrologyzine.com/acai-berries.shtml
http://monavie-emv.net/

Benefits of Acai Berry for Diabetics

Acai Berry is a rare fruit found mainly in Brazil and Peru. It has been termed as “super food” due to its various nutritional benefits. Acai Berry has one of the highest levels of anti-oxidants which work wonders for the body. It has vitamin content ten times more than grapes and twice as many as in blue berries. Acai Berry is nature’s most healthy fruit.
There can be many reasons to include Acai Berry in your diet and one of them is diabetes. A person could be suffering from diabetes from years without knowing the damage it may be possessing. Exercise and strict diet plans can help in fighting diabetes.
While most fruits are forbidden for the diabetics, Acai Berry is strongly recommended because of its rich vitamin, omega 6 and 9 fatty acids content. For diabetics, it is important to lose weight and maintain it. A diabetic diet usually contains of low fat, healthy and balanced food. Acai Berry can help you maintain this diet and regulate your weight.
In a diabetic’s body, the cell membranes get degenerated and do not allow transportation of nutrients. The body either does not produce enough insulin or the cells do not respond to the insulin produced, raising the high blood sugar level. Acai Berry contains a compound called anthocyanins which gives the fruit its anti-aging effect. The same anthocyanins strengthen the cell membranes.
In simple words, Acai can regulate the blood sugar level in the body because it is rich in fibers. Acai Berry is recommended to diabetics because it is diabetes friendly. It repairs the damaged membrane of cells in diabetics and can prevent the heart complications in diabetics. Acai also helps in strengthening the immune system when diabetes weakens it by continuous attacks on the body.
In Amazon, people have been using Acai for years to deal with health problems. Introducing Acai Berry in your diet with Acai Berry juice or the Acai smoothies can help you in more ways than you can imagine. Consume it twice a day and you would feel more revived.  Acai Berry doesn’t need sugar for sweetness; it is believed it tastes like berries and chocolate.
The efficiency of the Acai juice depends on its purity. Acai has become very popular lately and many manufacturers are selling inferior Acai Berry products. Be sure to use the products that are USDA certified and look for Acai with no preservatives as they negate the nutritional values.

History of Acai Berry

Most of you reading this article must have already read about the acai berry, heard about it, and probably seen numerous advertisements in newspapers, television and the internet. There is a very interesting story behind the discovery of the acai berry. It is part of tribal folklore in the Amazon rainforests. Read along to find out fascinating details of this super fruit that is currently a rage in the western world.
The history of the acai berry is entwined with the history of the Amazon. The Amazon River basin is home to about thirty percent of animal and plant species on the planet. It has twenty percent of the earth’s freshwater. There are many indigenous tribes inhabiting the rainforests in the Amazon River basin. The Shuar and Kayapo are examples of such Indian tribes.
There were certain people among the tribes who were well versed with the medicinal properties of the plants and animals found in the rainforests. The Shuar tribe called these medicine men as uwishin.
According to tribal folklore there was one such tribe in the Amazon centuries ago. It was headed by a chieftain named Itaki. He had a daughter named Iaca. The tribe was prospering and lived happily. But prosperity created new problems. The population of the tribe was increasing steeply and food was becoming difficult to procure to feed all of them.
The tribesmen were concerned about the alarming situation and approached chief Itaki for a solution. The chief pondered over the problem and issued an order that all newborn babies be killed.
As fate would have it Iaca gave birth to a baby girl and as per the chief’s order the newborn was put to death. Iaca, like any mother, was heartbroken and plunged into depression. One night as Iaca was sleeping in her hut she heard the cries of her baby girl.
She ran out of the hut in search of her baby and stopped near a tree. She felt that the cry of the baby was coming from atop the tree and hugged the tree looking towards the top. The next day the tribesmen found her dead.
As Iaca died looking at the top of the tree tribesmen plucked the fruit of the tree and ate it. It satiated their hunger and made them feel more energetic. The chief was taken aback at the development and revoked his order. Acai berry is Iaca spelled backwards.

How to Use Acai Berry to Boost Energy

Youth denotes freshness, vitality, energy, creativity, novelty and enthusiasm. That perhaps explains why people are so obsessed with anti-aging creams, botox injections, Viagra or any other product that promises eternal youth and vitality.
While it is natural to desire to be youthful and energetic it is pertinent to remember that success comes before work only in the dictionary. There are no short cuts to anything worth achieving. The same holds true in case of the acai berry that is being marketed as some sort of magic fruit in the United States, especially in the last two decades.
Acai berry is a fruit borne by a species of palm tree found in the Amazon River basin. The indigenous tribes inhabiting the rainforests of the Amazon knew about the acai berry and its unique characteristics centuries ago. They have been using it as a food item and medicine since the time of their ancestors.
As the deleterious effects of air, noise, water and sound pollution began to be felt by countries around the world they started making policies that were more eco-friendly. This environmental friendly approach has penetrated every aspect of life, from the food we eat to the cars we drive and home appliances and various gadgets that we use in our daily lives.
As people began to search for natural foods the demand for acai berry and other such products has been rising steadily in the United States and other parts of the world. Living in accordance with the laws of Nature is essential to leading a healthy life. The Amazon Indians are perfect examples of such existence.
Acai berry fruit is a small dark purple colored fruit. There is a seed inside that forms a major part of the fruit surrounded by pulp. The fruits are plucked from the tree and then shipped by boats overnight to nearby towns in Brazil and Peru.
The fruit contains essential amino acids and abundant anti-oxidants. It is impossible to get fresh acai fruit in the United States. The closest you can get is a freeze dried fruit or juice. The juice or the freeze dried fruit is very delicious and can be taken two to three times in a day. Take it along with breakfast for optimum benefit.
The high protein and fiber content in the fruit will increase the basal metabolic rate and keep you energetic and fresh throughout the day.

How to Make Acai Berry Juice a Part of Your Diet

Acai berry fruits are borne on palm trees in the Amazon rainforests. Therefore fresh fruits are not available in the United States. The acai berry juice or freeze dried fruit is the only genuine product available in the market. Be wary of people or agencies that market hordes of acai berry supplements promising spectacular results.
There are many free radicals produced in the body. These free radicals can be neutralized with the help of antioxidants. Antioxidants have the capacity to stop growth of malignant cells. They can also reduce the effects of aging on the body. Acai berry juice contains antioxidants like anthocyanins and flavonoids in abundance.
The average American consumes milk, cereals, bread and eggs for breakfast. Acai berry juice can be taken along with breakfast. Taken early in the morning it speeds up the body’s metabolism resulting in rapid burning of calories. As a result there is loss of fat and reduction in weight.
Acai berry juice has lot of fiber content. This cleanses the colon and facilitates smooth and regular bowel movements. Therefore it is recommended that acai berry juice be consumed at bed time after dinner.
Authentic acai juice has no added sugars or sodium or preservatives or water.  It is thick and will cost approximately 15 to 20 dollars. But considering enormous benefits to health this is a worthy investment.
The acai berry juice contains vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids. The amino acids boost the body’s immunity level and help fight off infections. This is the reason people who regularly consume this fruit report less incidence of bacterial, viral or fungal infections.
Acai berry juice can be taken three times in a day along with the regular meals to boost energy levels. The juice contains large amount of carbohydrates and sugars and is much sought after by athletes and sportsperson as an alternative energy source.
It has been discovered that acai berry juice has properties similar to olive oil. It has omega three fatty acids that fight bad cholesterol and protects the heart. It also helps regulate the blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
You should purchase acai juice that has been certified by the USDA or Kosher to ensure that it is genuine and of top quality. Avoid purchasing acai berry juice online and go to your local grocery store or supermarket to get the original product. Always purchase authentic acai juice that has a minimum of 3000 ORAC per one ounce serving.

References
1) http://www.ehow.com/how_5356283_drink-acai-berry-juice-diet.html
2) http://www.ehow.com/how_5094615_add-acai-berry-juice-diet.html
3) http://www.ehow.com/how_4661752_do-acai-berry-diet.html