The Brazilian Super Food ” Acai Berry
For hundreds of years the people in the Amazon region of Brazil have eaten a powerful little fruit called the Acai Berry. Growing atop 150 foot palm-like trees, the Brazilian people have found it worth their while to shinny up these trees to pick the berries and carry them back down in baskets.
Even though only 10% of the Acai berry, which is about the size of grape, is edible fruit. The rest is seed. But the Brazilians understood the health benefits and harvested them, even though it took a substantial amount of berries to create the edible puree.
Although Acai berries have been eaten for centuries in Brazil, it has only been recently that it has come to the fore in this country. American doctors and nutritionists are now discovering the incredible health benefits of these berries. Their findings have been truly amazing.
Whenever their highly acclaimed soccer players frequently make the Acai berry the majority of their meals prior to a match, it is obviously evident that they are acknowledging the immense energy and stamina that the Acai berry can bring them! In fact, the Acai berries have an exceptionally high amount of antioxidants, which delivers a fascinating amount of greater energy to the human body!
The Acai berry also contains carbohydrates. Carbohydrates play a major role in the human body, delivering storage and providing the transport of energy to structural components. The derivatives of the carbohydrates all work in the process of development, blood clotting, pathogenesis (structure of cells, organs and tissues), fertilization and above all taking care of our immune system. Interestingly enough, 40 to 65% of our dietary energy should come from carbohydrates.
Especially in industrialized nations, such as the United States, the high levels of pollution, chemicals and additives in our diets has begun to create problems for our health. The free radicals that come from these things upset the natural balance of the body and cause damage to our cells. Antioxidants such as vitamin C and E help protect the body by removing these harmful elements. The Acai berry, with its tremendous antioxidant properties is an excellent option for dealing with free radicals and ridding our bodies of their negative impact.
Acai berries have been shown to lower cholesterol and help the body process nutrients. The Brazilians are one of the most energetic and healthy people in the world and are not affected by the illnesses that we have encountered. Many believe it is the Acai berry that makes them so healthy. Omega 6 and Omega 9 are powerful antioxidants that are contained in this magical berry. It is also dense in essential fatty acids, fiber, protein, iron, calcium, potassium and phosphorous, as well as, Vitamins C, E, B1, B2 and B3 all very important and essential vitamins to maintain our health.
The antioxidants contained in the Acai berry and the amino acids help lower the risk of heart attack and heart disease. The phytosterols which are naturally occurring plant phytochemicals help the body burn fat more efficiently and process food more effectively. These elements make Acai berry a powerful addition to any weight loss program. In addition it can lower a persons cholesterol by up to 15%.
The antioxidants and the essential fatty acids in Acai berries work together to lower LDL or bad cholesterol and raise HDL or good cholesterol in the body. The essentials acids boost the bodys absorption of the valuable vitamins A, E, D and K.
Antioxidants, known as anthocyanins, as found in the Acai berry, are also thought to work as both an anti-viral and anti-bacterial agent in the body. Not only are these anthocyanins capable of accomplishing that particular task, but also they are proficient in helping maintain good eyesight. They also fight a range of other eye related eye diseases such as macular degeneration and even glaucoma.
If you suffer from digestive problems, such as acid reflux, the Acai berry contains enzymes that effectively enhance the digestive system helping to eliminate digestive issues. Other such problems related to digestion, irritable bowel and constipation, excess gas are likely to improve as well.
Acai berry pulp also contains elements such as Vitamin B the helps regulate the bodys level of dopamine and serotonin, the very things that help you sleep well and restore and relax your muscles. A good nights sleep on a regular basis is essential to good health.
The Acai berry and all of its fantastic properties is now readily available in this country and certainly worth a try.