The Acai Berry:
One of Nature's True Miracles
The indigenous
people of the Amazon jungle have been eating the acai berry for
centuries, on account of its many nutritional properties and the
numerous health benefits it offers. Now wildly popular all
around Brazil, acai is often used to make delicious kinds of ice
cream, or juices for any occasion.
The acai berry grows on palm trees in the heart
of the rainforest, is dark purple, and looks similar to a grape.
Inside, it grows a large seed with a light covering of flesh,
which can be pulped in water to produce a thick paste.
The result is a concentrate with an exquisite flavor, often
described as something like a mixture of blueberry and
chocolate.
More importantly, the acai berry paste provides
a remarkable range of nutrients. A complex mix of advanced
antioxidants, amino acids, omega fatty acids (healthy fats) and
a number of other essential vitamins and minerals, qualifies
acai as a genuine super food. Described as one of the ‘Forty One
Best Things On Earth’ by Sports Illustrated for Women (September
2003), this amazing little berry is set to revolutionize the
health industry.
The acai berry is natures "super food"!
Acai makes a superb
natural immune
system supplement. In fact,
there are many reasons to take acai as part of your health plan,
but these are some of the main ones:
• Improved skin tone, with younger and
healthier-looking skin.
• Better circulation, especially to the fingers
and toes.
• Relief from inflammation and the
symptoms of fibromyalgia.
• Healthier eyes, with better night vision.
• Increased vitality and energy.
• Stronger ability to fight off colds, flu and
other illnesses.
• Helps to
lower cholesterol
naturally.
American talk show host Oprah Winfrey was so
impressed by the potency of the acai berry, she called it "one
of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world". Acai
has also made successful appearances in a host of newspapers and
magazines, including the
Wall Street
Journal and
Health Sciences
Institute.
All of these described the
positive effects on the health of those who regularly consumed
the fruit, a discovery that currently has the science and health
industries of the West particularly excited.
The secrets of acai are its potent
anthocynadins
You may have heard about what is often called
the ‘French Paradox’. It describes the conundrum experts face
when they try to explain why France has one of the world’s
lowest incidences of heart disease, despite its high consumption
of cigarettes, saturated fat and cholesterol. Scientists say the
answer may lie in the country’s fondness for red wine, which
contains complex antioxidants called anthocyanins, shown to
lower the body’s cholesterol levels. Fortunately, experts have
recently discovered that the acai berry contains up to thirty
times the quantity of anthocyanins present in an equal volume of
red wine. Drinking acai juice is thirty times as beneficial, and
acts without the negative effects of alcohol.
"the latest research shows that anthocyanins do a
better job of protecting arteries than vitamins C and E"
In fact, anthocyanins are swiftly becoming
rising stars in the field of nutritional science. They have been
used to treat and prevent a wide range of conditions, including
diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma
and varicose veins. Anthocyanins also protect artery walls from
the damage that can lead to heart disease. In fact, the latest
research shows that anthocyanins do a better job of protecting
arteries than vitamins C and E.
In addition to helping to lower cholesterol
levels and protecting against heart problems, antioxidants help
your body in numerous other ways. For example, they are the
healthy cell’s first line of defense against toxins such as free
radicals. Many free radicals appear in our bodies as a
by-product of our own metabolic processes: when cells use oxygen
and hydrogen to make energy, elements that are normally stable
become charged and unstable. These reactive and very dangerous
forms of oxygen are notorious for the damage they cause, and
unfortunately we face a continual onslaught from them, via
environmental pollution and sunlight high in UV rays.
Allowing free radicals to roam unchecked around
the body is highly damaging to healthy cells. Scientists say
free radicals are key contributors in the effects of ageing,
through their ability to cause wrinkled skin and other problems.
Free radicals have also been implicated in one of the most
frightening diseases of our time: cancer. Studies have shown
that certain cells, when damaged by free radicals, begin to
reproduce in an uncontrolled manner. Cancer specialists call
this the Initiation Stage of cancer development. If these cells
are allowed to carry on reproducing, they can begin to form a
tumor.
Fortunately for those interested in living a
long and healthy life, antioxidants provide a powerfully
effective way to stabilize and neutralize these free radicals,
removing the damaging influences from the body. Many people are
reassured by the knowledge that we can give ourselves the edge
against a host of illnesses and age-related problems, by
consuming natural products that are high in antioxidants.
"Regular consumers of acai berry products report numerous
therapeutic effects"
In addition to the beneficial effects from
antioxidants, the complex omega fatty acids found in the acai
berry are now recognized for their powerful effects on health.
These include the omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids that
nutritionists advise us to get from eating deep water fish such
as tuna and salmon. They help reduce unhealthy forms of
cholesterol and keep the good cholesterol intact.
As well as lowering cholesterol, consuming the
fatty acids from acai juice or pulp can help boost vitality,
freeing up more energy for the body. The content of advanced
antioxidants such as anthocyanins, fatty acids, complex amino
acids and a whole host of essential nutrients, make the acai
berry a natural immune system supplement.
Anyone interested in enjoying health and
strength can benefit from taking this fruit. Regular consumers
of acai berry products report numerous therapeutic effects
including weight loss, smoother skin, an enhanced mood, greater
mental clarity, plus relief from inflammation and the symptoms
of fibromyalgia.
The acai berry from the Amazon rainforest has
arrived on our shores just when we need it most. People
everywhere are looking for natural ways to increase their health
and happiness: the acai berry delivers this, with a whole lot
more besides.
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