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The Açai Berry

The açaí berry has been gaining notable popularity in TV programs, doctor’s reviews, magazines and scientific studies. Do you want to know some reasons why?

In answer to that question, here is a compelling list of some things açaí can do:

• Supports a healthy immune system
• Rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit
• Increase energy, libido and stamina
• Promotes healthy skin, hair & nails
• Maintains the healthy function of bodily systems and organs

Here is a list of some of the wonderful properties açaí has:

• More proteins than an average egg
• A broad spectrum amino acid profile
• 10 - 30 times the anthocyanins of red wine
• 10 times the antioxidant power of red grapes
• 2 times the antioxidant power of blueberries

’Fruit of Life’

In the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest the açaí berry is known as the "Fruit of Life" . Scientists from around the world are just beginning to understand why this little purple berry was given this name. One research project from the University of Florida highlights some amazing benefits of açaí and by their own admission, they have only scratched the surface.

There are a couple of key components in açaí that have received the most attention – Anthocyanins and essential fatty acids.

Anthocyanins - These are the antioxidant flavonoids that give plants like red grapes and açaí their deep color. One of the more popular areas of research on this chemical was done with regards to the "The French Paradox". This particular research was aimed to find out how the French people, who eat a diet so rich in creams and cheese, remain generally healthier than Americans. The study found that their daily consumption of red wine could be the answer. Red wine, being made of red grapes, has a large supply of anthocyanins, and these anthocyanins may help protect the body from the many abuses the French culinary lifestyle is famous for. The açaí berry is reported to have as much as 30 times the anthocyanins as the red grape.

The cardiovascular studies have shown some of the most impressive data of all. Studies show that anthocyanins can help prevent blood clots, improve blood circulation, relax blood vessels, and prevent atherosclerosis in healthy circulatory systems. Scientists have also uncovered antiviral and antiallergenic properties of anthocyanins. Some research even suggests that anthocyanins can prevent cell damage by blocking carcinogenesis on a molecular level. There are further areas of research that shows Anthocyanins appear to have therapeutic effects in conditions such as diabetes and some inflammatory conditions of the central nervous system.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has initiated studies to look at the link between antioxidant rich food and aging. One such study states that:

Essential Fatty Acids - An unsaturated fatty acid that is essential to human health, but cannot be manufactured in the body. EFAs are modified in the body to make eicosanoids – signaling molecules that exert complex control over many bodily systems, especially in inflammation, immunity and as messengers in the central nervous system. The networks of controls that depend upon eicosanoids are among the most complex in the human body.

The three most common forms of EFAs are Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9. Fish and olive oils are the most readily known sources of the omega fatty acids, but açaí is an excellent source. Considering the levels of toxins in most fish these days and the over processing of olive oils, the açaí berry becomes an important source for omega fats. Açaí contains the very same balance of omega-6 and omega-9 as olive oil.

In a living cell you need to have a good mix of omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids to keep them healthy. EFAs put out the internal inflammation caused by metabolic fires. If you want to look younger, feel younger, and loose some weight – eat more EFAs.

Recent research has explored the role of EFAs in the nervous system health. These polyunsaturated fats function as components of nerve cells and cell membranes and are essential to the maintenance of healthy cell structure and bodily function. Supplementation with certain EFAs appears to be useful as a treatment for certain neurological disorders.

Omega 6 and omega 9 are also known to help lower levels of low-density lipoprotein LDL (bad cholesterol) while maintaining levels of high-density lipoprotein HDL (good cholesterol).

Many significant research projects have shown numerous health benefits to a diet high in unsaturated/polyunsaturated omega fatty acids. In fact, on September 8, 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave "qualified health claim" status to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega-3 fatty acids, stating that "supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease." For the FDA to allow such statements without the full weight of large pharmaceutical hands all over it truly tells the story of how important essential fatty acids are to your overall health.

Rich in Amino Acids and Protein

7.59% of the weight of the açaí pulp is from amino acids. 19 different amino acids have been identified in açaí. Since amino acids are the building blocks of protein, it is no surprise that you have over 8 grams of protein in a 100 gram serving of açaí.

Excellent source of Plant Sterols

Three plant sterols (or photosterols) have been identified in açaí - B-sitosterol, campesterol and sigmasterol. Photosterols have been shown to have numerous health benefits for maintaining healthy circulation, cholesterol, immunity, and prostate and digestive function.

Good source of Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and E are all present in açaí. In fact, açaí berries contain as much Vitamin C as blueberries and has over 1000 IU of Vitamin A for every 100 grams of açaí. In addition, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc are all found in açaí.

Glossary of Nutrients

History of Açaí - The Miracle Fruit

The Amazon Rainforest is home to more than half of the Earth's estimated 10 million species of plants and animals. It is the source of about 20% of the Earth's oxygen. It has also been called "Nature's medicine chest", as a majority of pharmaceuticals and drugs are derived or are active constituents of plants that have come from there. The fruits of the rainforest have been enjoyed by native Indians for centuries. Experts estimate that these indigenous people routinely utilize as many as 2,000 of the 3,000 known rainforest fruits. For over 2,000 years people of various countries have used the açaí fruit to remedy many ailments.

Found on rainforest palms, the Brazilian açaí berry is the supermodel of fruit. The açaí Palm tree is a genus of 25-30 species of palms native to tropical Central and South America, from Belize south to Brazil and Peru, growing mainly in floodplain's and swamps. They are tall slender attractive palms growing to 15-30 m tall, with pinnate leaves up to 3 m long.

The Legend of Açaí

There once existed a populated village at the edges of the Pará river that was growing rapidly. Due to this increment in the population, the food became scarce. Itaki, the tribes leader, did not have another alternative and decreed that the people could not have any more children and from that moment, any newborn child should be sacrificed.

At the time, the daughter of the leader, call Iaçá, was pregnant. Her father was both excited and abhorred, because his grandchild would be treated like every other.

During the pregnancy, Iaçá prayed to their God Tupá, that he would show her father a food that could save the tribe. Nothing happened.

The child was born. A precious girl as predicted, but soon after, she was sacrificed. Iaçá was devastated and completely destroyed. She cried day and night, did not eat any food and was enclosed in her hut for days.

One night, she heard the crying of her daughter in the forest. She ran, with the little energy that remained in her, directed by the sound, and there, she saw her daughter at the side of a slender palm tree. When she tried to embrace her, the image disappeared. On the following day, they found her dead, with a smile on her lips, embracing the palm tree and with open eyes, looking up, to the many bunches of dark purple fruits.

They ordered the harvest of the fruits. They obtained a reddish wine that soon became the diet for the tribe.

Itaki called the fruit açaí (Iaçá inverted) in memory of her daughter. He raised the prohibition and the tribe began to prosper again. Nowadays that population is known as Belém, in the state of Pará, Brazil.

TRIBAL AND HERBAL MEDICINE USES

In the Brazilian Amazon, the Indian tribes of the forest use all parts of the tree. They fell the tree and eat the palm heart, turn the fruit into a juice drink, and use the mature palm fronds for thatch for their house roofs. They then urinate on the rest of the felled tree to attract a species – the Rhynchophorus palm beetle to lay its eggs inside the felled tree. Several weeks later they return to harvest 3-4 pounds of beetle grub larvae, which are an important source of protein (62%) and fat (4.5%) in their diet.

The açaí fruit juice is also very popular throughout the local communities and indigenous tribes of the Amazon, resulting in açaí trees being planted in gardens, around villages, and in back yards. The fruit and palm hearts are also taken into river cities and towns where they are sold as cash crops by river- and forest-dwelling families.

In Brazilian herbal medicine, the oil of the fruit is used to treat diarrhea; an infusion of the root is used for jaundice and to build the blood; an infusion of the grated fruit rind is used as a topical wash for skin ulcers; and, the fruit seeds are crushed and prepared in an infusion for fevers. In the Peruvian Amazon, an infusion of the toasted crushed seeds is used for fever, and a decoction of the root is used for malaria, diabetes, hepatitis and jaundice, hair loss, hemorrhages, liver and kidney diseases, menstrual pain, and muscle pain. In Colombia, where the trees grow along the Pacific coastline, it is called naidí and the fruit is turned into a common and popular drink.

By far, the main use of açaí by the local inhabitants of the Amazon is for the preparation of a thick, dark purple juice obtained by macerating the ripe fruits. In some areas, individual consumption of up to 2 liters daily has been recorded. It is often referred to as "poor-man's juice." It is so popular, there is usually a small special establishment called an açaílandia in most Amazon river towns and villages that prepare the açaí juice and sell it in small plastic bags. Although a basic part of the diet of the poor, açaí liquid has become popular throughout all socioeconomic levels. It has a metallic nutty flavor with a creamy texture and oily appearance. To prepare the liquid the ripe fruits are soaked in water to soften the thin outer shell. The fruits are then squeezed and the large seeds strained out to produce a dense purple liquid with a distinctive flavor. In the Amazon, the liquid is often combined with a starchy root vegetable called manioc (which has been dried and ground into a flour) and is eaten as a purple porridge. It is mixed with sugar or sugar cane to sweeten and drunk as a beverage, as well as used to flavor ice cream, liquor and other desserts.

References used in this website

 

* Statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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