A Beginner's Info Guide on the Acai Berries

Here is some basic information on the acai berry, the most popular natural health food in the world today.

What is the acai berry?

The acai berry is a berry which grows natively in the South American rainforests, especially in the areas that constitute Brazil. The berry is very much like a grape in size and shape, but it is different from within, in that it has a huge seed. In fact, the seed of the acai berry makes up for 90% of the bulk of the fruit, which means only 10% of the fruit is edible, which is the skin and the pulp. It grows on a palm tree. Its scientific name is Euterpa olarecea.

Is the acai berry a wild fruit?

Hardly! Most people think so because of the fact that the acai berries are not seen much outside the Latin American continent. But in its native habitat, the berry is very commonly eaten by the locals. It is even cultivated and the industry that processes and markets this fruit outside its local area is big business indeed.

Why isn't the acai berry easily available in its natural form?

If you are not in South America, you will find it very difficult to find the natural berry form of the fruit. That is because the fruit is highly perishable. It begins losing its nutrients within 24 hours of being harvested from its palm. You will find commercially packaged products of the acai berry outside its native continent.

What commercial forms of the acai berry are available in the US and other countries where it does not grow indigenously?

The most common forms available are juice and pulp. These are cheaply priced in comparison to the other two retailed forms, viz. the tablets and the powders. Juices and pulps are used more in preparing delectable and healthy recipes containing the acai and the powders and tablets are mostly meant to be taken as they are as health supplements.

Why is the acai berry considered the most nutritious fruit today?

The acai berry is a treasure house of nutrients. It contains carbohydrates, proteins and fats in the right amounts. The fats are the healthy ones, the omega 3 and omega 6 fats, which actually help in improving the cholesterol balance of the body. It has almost all the vitamins that are necessary for human development, such as vitamins A, B complex, C, D, E and K. It also contains various minerals that the human body needs, notably copper, calcium, sodium and potassium. But the most important constituents of the acai berries are the various antioxidants that are present in them.

What health benefits do the acai berries provide?

This is indeed a long list. The acai berries are known for weight loss, age reversal, diabetes management and control, mood improvement, curing insomnia, curing digestive problems, controlling cholesterol levels, treating osteoporosis, reducing obesity, etc. Recently it has also been found to be instrumental in killing cells that product leukemia in the body. Also, acai berries are excellent in preventing most cardiovascular problems.