The Acai Berry

The acai berry (pronounced “ah-sigh-ee”) is a small grape-sized berry that grows in the Amazon Rain Forest of Brazil. For hundreds of years, natives of the region have harvested this berry as part of their daily diet.

Amazingly enough, the acai fruit equates to only 10% of the actual berry. The remaining 90% is comprised of the seed or pit. The acai berry is put through a harvesting process that separates the pulp from the seed, producing a delightfully thick and edible puree.

Plus, this awesome little berry has a flavor that is best described as a delicious blend of berries and chocolate. It has an unparalleled flavor.
America Discovers the Acai Berry

The acai berry has only recently become popular in the United States and positive research has spread to Doctors, scientists, nutritionists and numerous media outlets who are raving about the countless nutritional qualities and health benefits of the acai berry. Oprah and Rachael Ray are just a few of the celebrities who are waving the flag in favor of this little berry.

The acai berry has been called "the number one super food in the world". While this may sound like a bunch of hype, this view is being embraced by those who have done the research and stand behind their claim. This little berry is packed full with free-radical fighting antioxidants. The acai berry is also considered to have the best overall nutritional value of any known fruit.

The USDA has a special way of measuring antioxidant capacities of the various foods we eat. They call this the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, also known as 'ORAC' for short. The other fruits, while popular, certainly pale in comparison in relation to value.

The Power of the Acai Berry

So we can throw words like 'nutritional value' and 'antioxidants' around, but what exactly does that mean to you and I? It's simple really. The acai berry can be very helpful:

* Improves digestion
* Aids in weight loss ....do I hear an 'AMEN'?
* Supports the immune system
* Increases libido
* Promotes healthy sleep
* Increases energy & stamina
* Reduces pain and soreness
* Fights aging & inflammation
* Lowers blood pressure
* Fights cancer & disease
* Protects against heart disease

Acai and Weight Loss

This berry is packed full of nutrients and companies have realized the potential in the weight loss industry. Therefore, the acai berry is the newest fad diet and you can go online and see all sorts of advertisements by companies that are claiming all sorts of fabulous results from their products.

While many of these claims by individual companies are exaggerated, there is scientific evidence that the acai berry contains several key ingredients that aid in suppressing appetite, building muscle tone and boosting the metabolism.