Everyone's talking about Acai
WHAT IS IT?
Acai (pronounced ah-sigh-EE), is the fruit of a palm tree that grows in the rainforests of the Amazon—a tree Brazilians call “The Tree of Life.” About 90 percent of the small, round fruit is its hard, inedible pit. However, the dark purple, pulpy skin tastes like a vibrant blend of berries and chocolate and is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet.
In Brazil the fresh berry pulp is usually added to foods and smoothies. In Australia it is available freeze-dried powder or fresh berry puree that can be added to other foods and drinks
WHY IS IT SO GOOD FOR YOU?
Renown anti-aging expert Dr Nicolas Perricone rates Acai as the Number 1 superfood due to its remarkable concentration of antioxidants that help combat premature aging as well as monounsaturated (healthy) fats, dietary fibre and phytosterols to help promote cardiovascular and digestive health.
FREE RADICAL ELIMINATION
Free radicals can cause diseases, destroy cells and damage DNA. Antioxidants are needed to scavenge free radicals and neutralize them. Acai is one of the richest sources of antioxidants.
ORAC - Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, is a test tube analysis that measures the all of the total antioxidant power of foods and any other chemical substances
ENERGY BOOST
It is widely accepted that Acai increases energy levels and is very popular among Brazilian athletes. Could this be the secret to Brazil’s success at football and martial arts?
HEART HEALTH
Acai is high in good fats and antioxidants, which help in maintaining good cholesterol (HDL) levels in your body and keeping your heart healthy.
WEIGHT LOSS
Acai berries may speed up weight loss by improving digestion and they way the body burns body fat for energy.
BETTER VISION
Antioxidants, particularly anthocyanin, may help prevent eye-related diseases like macular degeneration and glaucoma.
STRONGER IMMUNITY
Traditionally Acai has been used to fight infection and strengthen immunity.
A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP
The combination of B vitamins and amino acids support a healthy nervous system and may help improve adaptation to stress and quality of sleep.
WHY HAS IT ONLY RECENTLY
BECOME SO POPULAR?
For thousands of years Acai has been one of the most important foods to the tribes of the Amazon Rainforest. However it was only introduced to the rest of the world in the 1990s. Once the Acai berry is picked, it has a limited 24-hour life span in which the properties of the juice and pulp are still active. This meant export was not practical, as the pulp needed to be transported frozen.
New freeze drying technology used by companies such as Amazonia means the skin, juice and pulp can be processed, transported and stored without destroying nutritional goodness. This has lead to world-wide surge in the demand for Acai products.
HOW DO I USE IT?
Powder: Take two heaped teaspoons (3g) of Dried Acai Powder each day. It can be mixed with juice, protein shake, yoghurt, or water; sprinkled over porridge or eaten it straight off the spoon.
JUICE AND PUREE:
Take two 25ml ‘shots’ per day.
CAPSULES:
Take at least 6 per day
