Acai berries come from Acai palm trees, most of which are native to Central and South America. They grow in damp environments such as swamps and range from 15 to 30 meters long. The fruit is about the size of a blueberry and contains a large seed of 7-10mm in diameter. Known sometimes as the “miracle berry,” Acai berry is unargubly one of the world’s most nutritious foods. It has made its way onto many talk shows and news programs including Oprah, NBC, ABC and CBS.
Traditionally, some countries harvest Acai berries as a major component of food source. In Amazon of Brazil, the berries comprise 42% of the food intake by locals. Other countries grow Acai palms due to the economical benefits Acai berries can bring to harvesting countries. Western countries market Acai berries as a dietary supplement, which is the main cause of the recent rapid expansion of global demand for this fruit. The berries are found to contain a large amount of antioxidants, amino acids, essential fatty acids, fiber, vitamins and minerals. They are available and can be consumed in the form of tablets, juice, smoothies, powder, or whole fruit.
The recent hype created around Acai berry is due to its ability to induce healthy weight loss and control. The presence of Omega fatty acids allows for higher metabolism and increases the rate of digestion of foods. The high fiber content also supresses appetite and can decrease an average person’s food intake. Other benefits include boosting energy levels, improving skin appearance, heart health and sexual performance, and reducing cholesterol levels.
Although the FDA has not officially approved Acai berries as they are foreign berries that cannot be harvested in the US, FDA has approved bottling agencies that package Acai berry juice. There are no known significant side effects to consuming Acai Berries.
References: (1) http://www.live-the-organic-life.com/acai-berry.html (2) http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1472300 (3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%C3%A7a%C3%AD_Palm (4) http://truthaboutacai.com/2008/12/find-fda-approved-acai-berry-fruit/
