These antioxidants help strengthen the walls of your individual cells. This decreases the build up of harmful plague in your arteries. This berry causes an increase in the good cholesterol (HDL) and a decrease in the bad cholesterol (LDL).

The acai fruit also helps reduce chronic inflammation, urinary tract infections and premature aging. It also strengthens the eyes.

This Brazilian superfruit is also beneficial in weight loss. It provides the body with the necessary amino acids it needs to make protein. The fruit is also good for the body because it provides dietary fiber for proper digestion.

The acai berry (pronounced ah-SIGH-eeh) grows deep in the Amazon rain forest. It is larger than the average blueberry and has a deep purple skin. They have a pleasant taste sometimes described as a blend of berries and chocolate.

The acai fruit is widely used in Brazil. It is eaten on a regular basis by Brazilians and is used as a natural health remedy too. Due to recent publicity, it is becoming more popular here in the United States. This fruit from the Amazon rain forest is considered to be a nutrient rich super food by many! You can usually find it made into a nutritious juice. It is often blended with other exotic juices.

The acai berry is the fruit of the acai palm tree. Some of these palm trees grow to sixty feet in height. This particular tree can be found through out the Amazon rain forest. Brazil is one of the few countries in the world where the acai palm tree grows. Consequently, Brazil is one of the few places that harvests the berries for commercial use. Due to its delicate nature, the fruit must be processed within 24 hours from the time it is picked.

The Tupi indians of the Amazon rain forest call it "ica-cai"! It means the "berry that cries". Legend has it that the palm tree was named after, Iaca, the daughter of a great tribal chief. "Acai" is "iaca" spelled backwards!

Acai has been eaten by the indigenous people of Brazil for hundreds of years. A bowl of the fruit is usually eaten in the morning as part of breakfast. It helps to give them energy and endurance for the long day ahead.

Our Recommendation

We recommend acai juice distributed by Swanson Health Products. For more information click on the Swanson logo below and then copy and paste or type "acai juice" in the search window:

Acai Berries Research

There is a large volume of anecdotal evidence supporting the health claims by users of Brazilian acai berries. In addition to the personal experiences of many individuals there is a growing body of scientific evidence supporting the reports that this unique fruit has specific health benefits. Although there is not any conclusive scientific evidence of the health benefits of acai there have been a number of promising research studies completed.

Many of the conclusions reached by researchers have been positive. These research scientists almost invariably comment in their reports that additional acai studies need to be done. We concur with this conclusion. We welcome additional research on this Brazilian superfruit and on other functional foods as well.

We have prepared for our readers a summary of some of the scientific research that has been completed on this amazing tropical fruit. To read about some of this research you can go to a special page on our web site. Here is the link;

Acai Research

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