What is Acai extract? It is an extract made from acai berries which are a fruit of the Acai palm. You can find them growing in Central and South America. The fruit has a short shelf-life, so it doesn’t transport well. Because of this, it is often extracted into powders or freeze-dried for exportation.
Is It All Hype?
There is been a lot of BUZZ in recent years about the health benefits of Acai Berry. By the way, it is pronounced Ah-sah-EE. (I always thought it used a HARD C!)
Acai is commonly touted as a magnificent weight loss aid. There is always something new to peddle in the weight-loss industry. Right? Someone is always shouting from the rooftops that they have discovered the secret to dropping those pounds. Anything to make a quick buck! Oh, by the way, I know the real secret of losing weight… if you would like to know… DROP me a comment.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in the U.S., buckled down on fraudulent marketing claims in the weight-loss biz. They try to keep the marketing world honest the best they can which is a long cry from the John Brinkley days when he successfully swindled the American public with his Erectile Dysfunction procedure. He actually conned men into having goat glands surgically implanted to improve performance in the bedroom! I’m no JOKING!
Some marketers will also try to sell you a bill of goods that Acai Berry can reverse diabetes. I am diabetic and have chased down numerous methods hustled by various slimy marketers. This “so-called doctor (who is often featured as a guest speaker on several syndicated radio stations) claimed that minerals would cure diabetes. That man is a quack and should be chased after by the FTC.
Your best shot at reversing diabetes is to eliminate all the fat out of your diet and eat carbs. YES, CARBS!!! So all animal products have to go. All processed foods have to disappear from your diet (Lord only knows what this does to your body). I haven’t reversed mine yet through a whole-food plant-based diet (many have), but my A1C was 6.5 at my last check-up. It was 11.7 when I was doing Paleo… not mentioning the cholesterol and blood pressure problems I was experiencing… those problems are resolved now.
Anyway, I was ranting because I have good news to share with an ever-increasing world full of diabetics. This situation is growing into a worldwide epidemic. Acai berry is low in sugar so it won’t affect diabetics who aren’t trying plant-based solutions. Diabetics can eat all the fruit (and carbs) they want on a plant-based diet. Reach out to me if you want to find out more about controlling your diabetes.
The word is out there that acai berry is high in antioxidants compared with other fruit. I couldn’t find a chart comparing acai berry to other fruits. Amla berry or Indian Gooseberry contains the most antioxidants of any fruit, by far. However, one individual study demonstrated that both acai pulp and juice had significant absorption of antioxidant anthocyanins into the blood and exhibited antioxidant effects on the body.
Acai berry is a fruit, so it does contain antioxidants. It is worthwhile to add it to your diet, but it is best to add a variety of fruits and vegetables to ensure that you receive adequate nutrition. You just can’t rely on just one fruit (even one of the so-called superfruits). One food group is not going to get it done when it comes to maintaining optimal health.
One final note on antioxidants. It is a no-brainer that fruit in its raw form will contain its full potential of antioxidants. With that being said, it all depends on the nutrients in the soil to ensure the best quality fruits. When you process a fruit to powdered form, the methods used in drying out the fruit are important when it comes to retaining potency, so always check into a company’s manufacturing methods.
DOES ACAI HAVE ANY OTHER BENEFITS?
Acai provides an adequate source of antioxidants. Antioxidants are awesome for cellular health. Taking care of your cells is one of the best things you can do for your body. Too many FREE RADICALS will upset the balance of your cells. Some free radicals are necessary for maintaining optimum health. When you have too many, CANCER can rear its ugly head and YOU DON’T WANT THAT. NO SIREE!
Antioxidants help protect your:
- heart
- cells
- skin
- immune system
They also
- boost your energy
- help clean out your digestive system
- help increase oxygen and the blood flow to your brain
What Other Nutrients Are in Acai Berry?
Acai is very low in sugar but high in healthy fats. It is a good source of Vitamin A and C. It also contains iron and calcium plus a lot of trace minerals like chromium, zinc, copper, manganese, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. It is obvious that is great for your health. It also contains 2 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber.
Where Does Acai Berry Come From?
Acai berry makes it home in the exotic Amazon Rain Forest. They grow in clusters on Acai palms. These trees grow to a whopping height of 82 feet. Acai fruit has a dark purple color and contains a large seed, so there isn’t a lot of pulp.
So you see, you need a bunch to make a meal. It’s a good thing they are bunched up in large numbers (as the picture at the top). One palm produces about 20 KG or 44 pounds of fruit per year. (Americans want nothing to do with the metric system)
Soak the berries if you want to eat them. The skin is tough so you’ll need to loosen them up. They taste like a blend of unsweetened chocolate and blackberry. They are highly perishable, so they will be difficult to find fresh worldwide.
Tribal Remedy
Acai berry first came on the world stage in the 1990s. However, Amazonian tribes have been using Acai for hundreds of years (possibly thousands) as a cure for numerous ailments. It has also been a food source for Amazonians for a long, long time.
How is Acai Berry Used in the Marketplace?
- it is heavily used in the cosmetic industry. It is known to be good for the skin because of the antioxidants.
- You can find Acai berry in a wide range of nutritional supplements or juice products.
- It is a good food source for livestock.
- off the subject: the leaves of the palm have been used by the natives for hats, mats, brooms, and roofing material.
Are There Any Side-effects?
If you have are allergic to pollen or other fruits then be careful when adding a new fruit. Someone is always allergic to something. You just don’t always know if you have an allergy, but if hives break out, you better seek medical attention. However, allergies to acai berry are not common.
When buying supplements be aware of food additives. You should always know what you are consuming. Even though most people don’t bother to look or care what they throw down their pie hole.
In Conclusion
I don’t know if acai berry qualifies as a SUPERFOOD. I don’t do without my daily dose of blue-green algae. I just don’t get sick anymore since adding this to my daily regimen. However, I do take a supplement that contains acai, but it also contains a plethora of other fruits, vegetables, and other wonders from the plant kingdom.
I suggest eating a wide range of different fruits and vegetables to ensure that your body receives the nutrition it needs, Adding a good fruit and vegetable supplement is always a good idea to help you reach your daily nutritional requirement. There is a good chance that acai will be one of the chosen ingredients.
Thanks for reading.
Many blessings, Brian.
Research and sources
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081006112053.htm
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4447763/
https://www.ibtimes.com/acai-what-it-where-does-it-come-183593
