ACAI BERRY
MARKETING
http://www.phytoscience.ca/articles/Acai%20berry.html
Acai berry is a small, deep-purple or dark-purple fruit of the tall, slender acai palm tree which is a very common native of the Brazilian rainforest. A nutritional powerhouse ofhealth and healing, the acai berry possesses a wealth of salubrious properties and has been used as a natural remedy for various ailments. Acai berries have an unusual taste of sweet berry with just a hint of chocolate. Acai berry is traditionally pureed and served as a sauce and is also used in drinks or beverages. The delicious acai drinks are especially popular in the beach resorts of Brazil. Often referred to as the “Fountain of Youth”, Acai’s various health benefits are beginning to be widely realized and these delicious berries are gaining popularity in the health market. The amazing health properties are starting to get the attention of the health industry. In particular, acai berry is now promoted as a super food to boost metabolism and a magic natural weight loss product.
High nutritious acai berry is believed to be a super antioxidant. Antioxidants help to build the body’s natural defenses against infection and disease and protect the body from free radicals that attack and destroy cells. Young and middle-aged people may be able to minimize the risk of the diseases due to aging simply by adding foods high in antioxidants to their diets. Acai berry is also used to help enhance muscle contractions and muscle regeneration, improve the function of immune cells, protect blood vessels, prevent osteoporosis, reduce bad cholesterol, aid in weight control, heal ulcers, improve glucose and lipid levels, reduce arthritis pain, aid vision, improve mental clarity, act as an antimutogenic, thwart viruses and bacterial infections, lower blodd pressure, prevent free-radical damage to the immune system, promote better sleep.
Acai is a particularly potent source of anthocyanins. The antioxidant characteristics associated with acai berries are mainly attributed to their high anthocyanin content. Anthocyanins are naturally occurring compounds that are responsible for the red, purple, and blue colors of many fruits, cereal grains, vegetables, and flowers, and give the berry its purple color. Acai contains ten to thirty-three times the amount of anthocyanins found in red wine. Anthocyanins are some of the most powerful antioxidants. Their potency and health value are especially visible in the French diet. Anthocyanins have a unique chemical structure, making them six to eight times more potent thatn vitamin C. Anthocyanins help prevent blood clots, prevents atherosclerosis, improves circulation, relaxes blood vessels, and combats cancers. Orally administered anthocyanins are reported to be beneficial for diabetic patients and have antiviral and antimicrobial activities.
The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC value) denotes the total antioxidant value of foods. The higher of a food’s ORAC value, the better it is in fighting damage from free radical’s oxidative stress and helping the body combat cancer, heart disease, memory loss, and other degenerative diseases. Fruits high in antioxidants include acai berries, pomegranates, cranberries, blueberries, peaches, grape, kiwis, and prunes. Among these fruits, acai berry contains the highest amount of concentrated anthocyanins. Acai’s high-ORAC value is effective in preventing the loss of memory and learning ability, and maintaining the ability of brain cells against oxygen damage.
More than just simply an antioxidant fruit, acai berry contains abundant valuable nutritional supplements such as amino acids, unsaturated fats such as omega-6 (linoleic acid) and omega-9 (oleic acid) fatty acids, phytosterols (compound of plant cell membranes), dietary fiber, vitamins A, C and E, iron, copper, manganese, chromium, boron, and phosphorus, and hence offers numerous health benefits for the entire body. The essential fatty acids are good for lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and maintaining HDL (beneficial cholesterol) levels. Oleic acid, in addition to promoting heart health, blocks the action of a cancer-causing oncogene that is typically found in about 30 percent of breast cancer patients. The dietary fiber is acai berry is beneficial for digestive tract health and phytosterols (such as beta-sitosterol) can help reduce blood pressure.
Acai berry contain two important amino acids (methionine and lysine) and vital trace elements important for muscle contraction and regeneration. Lysine promotes healthy bone cartilage and connective tissue, helps the body absorb calcium, and plays a role in the production of antibodies, hormones, and enzymes. Methionine reduces liver fat, promotes healthy cholesterol levels, protects the kidneys, and promotes hair growth. Acai has the highest natural source of vitamin C. Acai berry is one of the richest sources of calcium in the world.