Once a little known berry from Brazil, the acai is fast becoming a household word all over the world. All sorts of claims have been made about it as a cure for every type of health problem. The most common claim is that it is a powerful antioxidant, and there are studies that show that antioxidants help protect the body against the effects of aging and various diseases.
The acai is a small berry, similar to a red-purple grape, which grows in clusters on a specific type of palm tree. These palms are found in a variety of places from Central to South America but the fruits are generally harvested from along the Amazon River in Brazil.
The natives in these areas use the berries both as a food and as a natural remedy. Although there are many claims being made about their health benefits, available research studies still appear to be controversial. Some state their findings that acai has a high level of antioxidants while others say that the antioxidant level is no higher than in any berry, and less than some.
Meanwhile, a quick search on the internet will yield hundreds of testimonials, anecdotal evidence, of the healing properties of this fruit. And the claims seem to be for just about every ailment that you can imagine. When you read these personal stories, it seems like acai is the answer to all prayers.
The reality, of course, is likely someplace in between. Certainly, it does have some antioxidant properties. This is common to berries, particularly those that are red or purple in color. And, it is unlikely to have a negative affect on your health as long as you do not ignore serious medical conditions, choosing to try acai instead of seeking professional help. Also, it is possible that it may have an irritative affect on people with allergies to pollen.
One should also be sure to look at labels of acai products to see what other ingredients are added and how much acai you are actually getting in each serving. There may be other substances that are not as healthful, such as caffeine, or so little acai that you are not getting much of whatever health benefits the berry may supply.
It is also important to remember that quality may vary from product to product. This is not just due to the fruit itself but also to the processing of the acai berry, as is true of any fruit or vegetable. For example, a vegetable that is flash frozen retains more of its nutritional value than one which is canned. If you are going to buy acai products, be sure to do some research into the processing so you ensure that you get the highest quality.
The acai is a small berry, similar to a red-purple grape, which grows in clusters on a specific type of palm tree. These palms are found in a variety of places from Central to South America but the fruits are generally harvested from along the Amazon River in Brazil.
The natives in these areas use the berries both as a food and as a natural remedy. Although there are many claims being made about their health benefits, available research studies still appear to be controversial. Some state their findings that acai has a high level of antioxidants while others say that the antioxidant level is no higher than in any berry, and less than some.
Meanwhile, a quick search on the internet will yield hundreds of testimonials, anecdotal evidence, of the healing properties of this fruit. And the claims seem to be for just about every ailment that you can imagine. When you read these personal stories, it seems like acai is the answer to all prayers.
The reality, of course, is likely someplace in between. Certainly, it does have some antioxidant properties. This is common to berries, particularly those that are red or purple in color. And, it is unlikely to have a negative affect on your health as long as you do not ignore serious medical conditions, choosing to try acai instead of seeking professional help. Also, it is possible that it may have an irritative affect on people with allergies to pollen.
One should also be sure to look at labels of acai products to see what other ingredients are added and how much acai you are actually getting in each serving. There may be other substances that are not as healthful, such as caffeine, or so little acai that you are not getting much of whatever health benefits the berry may supply.
It is also important to remember that quality may vary from product to product. This is not just due to the fruit itself but also to the processing of the acai berry, as is true of any fruit or vegetable. For example, a vegetable that is flash frozen retains more of its nutritional value than one which is canned. If you are going to buy acai products, be sure to do some research into the processing so you ensure that you get the highest quality.
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