What Is The Acai Berry?
Acai is a fruit that is harvested from the Brazilian rain forest. Its scientific name is Euterpe Oleracea. It is a small, blackish-purple berry that looks like a grape, but a bit smaller. The seed is big and takes up a bit more space than the pulp. If you would like to read more about the history of the acai berry, please visit our article The History of the Acai Berry.
This fruit, since it hit the mainstream, has started to come into use in things like: pills/capsules, energy bars, energy drinks, ice cream, juice and pulp. In fact, in Brazil, they usually take acai in either juice or pulp form directly.
Some of the benefits of the fruit include:
- Increased energy
- Improved digestion due to large quantities of beneficial fiber
- More protein in acai than in the average egg
- Contains excellent vitamins: Vitamins B1, B2, B3, C and E (Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, C and Tocopherol respectively)
- Improved sexual function
- Contains up to 30 times the amount of Antocyanine (a very powerful antioxidant) than red wine contains
- Combined with antioxidants, helps maintain cholesterol levels with essential fatty acids: Omega 6 (linoleic acid) and Omega 9 (oleic acid)
- A near-perfect balance of amino acids, trace minerals vital to muscle function and regeneration
- Low sugar content
- Immuno booster (boosts the immune system)
- Great for cleansing and detoxing the body
Lastly, the capsules of acai are made from natural plant base, which means it's kosher, halal and vegan-certified (no animals are harmed in the production). It's healthy for anyone to consume; however, pregnant women should seek the advice of their physicians before consumption.
