Rapid Fat Loss Diets

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Don't Rule Out Acai Yet

By Walter Fry

The Acai tree is found in very warm, tropical climates like that of the Amazonian region of Brazil. It is a unique palm tree that produces a reddish purple berry. The berry has a twofold taste of tart berries and chocolate flavoring mixed together. Additionally, the soft inside of the palm tree's trunk, also known as the heart of palm, is cut out and used in many dishes including salads.

The acai palm tree and its; fruit have been a staple food for the Amazonian (mostly Caboclo) civilization in the Amazon for countless years. The use every part of the tree, with no part of it going to waste. The fruit is picked and made into juice or pulp products three different times each year. The palm hearts are harvested and eaten, locally or as an export. The leaves have been used for mats, baskets brooms and other items. The leaves have also been used for centuries to thatch the roofs of their homes and huts. The trunks of the trees have been harvested for their wood, used in local home building.

The berry-like fruit has been in the world's news for a few years now, since is was first introduced to tourists around 2001. It is proven to help boost your energy by boosting your metabolism. It is widely advertised for healthy conscious eating and dieting. The people of Brazil among other nearby countries have been utilizing this palm tree for centuries as a staple food. They have passed its uses down from one generation to another.

Since the media has started promoting the berry and its juice from this tree, the farming of acai has enabled natives to create a financially richer life. What used to be a staple food for them is now a means of living. They use what they need of the tree, plant more, farm them, harvest them, and then sell them to exporters and diet food companies. The juice is very popular in Brazil. You can drink it sweet or salty, whichever you prefer. They are also now selling it in freeze dried and powder form for exporting abroad. This is one of those plants that is functional in many areas. None of it goes to waste. Now that they are farming it, the seeds are more important than ever. After they plant the seeds, it only takes a couple months for seedlings to sprout. This is considered a short time under good conditions. Any left over seeds can be ground and used in the feeding of farm animals and in enriching the soil around plants.

Recently there has been a study or two that question the nutritional value of the acai berry. First the publications indicated that it was the best known source of antioxidants, but now some comparisons are showing that the level of antioxidants are not as high as first thought. It actually falls below eleven frozen fruit juices, including the pomegranate, mango and aronia berries in comparative studies. It also fell below red wine, blueberry juice and concord grapes but was higher in comparison to orange and apple juice. It may only be on the same level of antioxidant potency with black cherry and cranberry juice if these studies can be taken at face value.

No matter if it has the most antioxidants or not, there are plenty of other health benefits from the acai berry to make it worthwhile. For instance, other research on acai berries indicates that it could likely help in the treatment of leukemia. The juice is already being used in some instances as a contrast in the gastrointestinal area for MRI's. Don't count it out yet, research on this tasty berry is still young and it has plenty of room left for surprises to throw at us all. - 17273

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