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Tuesday, March 24, 2009

The Folklore of the Amazing Acai Berry

By Caitin Ryan

Are you looking for ways to improve your health through nutrition? Have you thought about looking in the Brazilian rainforest for the answer? You do not have to book a flight because a miracle fruit from this mystical region is now available to all of us in various acai berry products. You are going to love what this super fruit can do for your health!

Acai (pronounced Ah-SIGH-ee) berries have become quite popular in the past few years, but the people of the Brazilian rainforest have long revered this gorgeous purple fruit that grows on a palm tree.

According to folklore, the daughter of an Amazon Indian tribal chief is responsible for acai berries. Tragically, the chief had to order that all newborn babies be killed because there was not enough food to feed his growing tribe. His daughter, Iaca, was not spared this decree and her baby was the first to be killed.

Desperate and incredibly sad, Iaca mourned her child for days, weeping in her hut. Finally, she heard the cries of a newborn in the forest and raced to find what she hoped was her precious child. What she found was a palm tree that bore bright purple berries. She lay down at the base of the palm tree and died.

When the tribe found her, they also found the berries. The berries were so nutritious and plentiful, that the tribe never had to worry about food again. The chief banned the law and all newborns were now safe. He named the berries Acai after his daughter (acai is Iaca spelled backward).

Interesting story, but the real miracle of the amazing acai berry is what we now know about it through scientific study. The acai berry contains essential amino acids, omega 3 fatty acids and super antioxidants.

Anthocyanin is the super antioxidant that gives the acai berry its gorgeous royal purple color. It is also known for its ability to slow or stop tumor growth in laboratory studies. Though all antioxidants are capable of fighting free radicals and the damage they incur thus preventing cancer, anthocyanin is more powerful than most.

Free radical damage is also responsible for the aging process, so acai berries are capable of fighting premature aging at the cellular level.

In addition to other powerful antioxidant, acai berries have an unusual plant characteristic. Only animal protein contains a complete source of essential amino acids, but acai berries come pretty close! This makes them an excellent source of protein without the damaging effects of saturated fat also found in animal protein.

Acai berries do not contain saturated fat, but they do contain the good fat, omega 3 fatty acids which can lower LDL (bad cholesterol)and raise HDL (good cholesterol) making them excellent (just like fish) in preventing cardiovascular disease.

Acai berries are able to improve your health, prevent disease and slow the aging process. Available in a number of ways, acai products can truly benefit your overall health and restore a more youthful appearance.

Read labels carefully and make sure that you are not purchasing an acai berry that is not pure or a juice that is mostly corn syrup with very little acai berries. - 17273

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