Perhaps you have heard of all of the positive information on the web, and also on television, in regard to the Acai berry. This purple fruit which is no more than an inch long comes from the Acai palm tree, originating from South America and also in some locations in Central America. The main premise behind its positive benefits has to do with its antioxidants, natural components of the fruit itself which is supposed to not only reduce oxidative stress, but can also help with the possibility of people getting cancer and certain types of heart disease. In this article, we will discuss the history of the Acai berry, and the benefits that this natural product can provide.
The name Acai is actually a derivative of two Greek words which simply
mean blueberry. It contains anthocyanins and flavonoids, the main
components which are responsible for its beneficial properties. In
regard to anthocyanins, this is what causes certain fruits to have a
blue or purple tint, most commonly seen in red grapes and blueberries.
This is what is also behind the ability of the berry to defend against what are called free radicals, the main causative agents that can induce cancer and heart disease and many people.
These components are not limited to the Acai berry. In fact, there are
other superfoods such as blackberries, cranberries, and even raspberries
that contain similar substances. However, it is the Acai berry that
seems to contain the highest concentration of these to beneficial
substances, both of which can also help with weight loss. When you hear
about Acai, although the antioxidant properties are well known, when it
comes to the public representation of this berry, the weight-loss
component is what most people focus upon today.
On many of the most popular television shows including the Oprah Winfrey show, and also the Today Show, a person by the name of Dr. Perricone started calling it a superfood. Part of this definition had to do with the antioxidant properties, and its ability to reduce stress within people seems to also be directly linked to its natural ability to help people lose weight. Therefore, by taking Acai supplements on a regular basis, not only will you detoxify your body and protected from free radicals, and added benefit seems to be weight-loss for those that take it on a regular basis.
One other benefit to this fruit is that it seems to help people that are
suffering with diabetes. There is an enzyme within the berry that
lessens the effects of diabetes, specifically those that are capable of
causing damage to the brain and vital organs within the body. It does
this by maintaining proper blood sugar levels, the primary reason that
people with diabetes must take insulin in order to survive.
A person might assume that with all of these health benefits associated with the Acai berry, it would seem to be one of the best natural supplements that a person can take. Unfortunately, not all of these supplements are created equally. This supplement is so popular, some companies are creating this product improperly, and adding lower doses of anthocyanins and flavonoids to the actual product to save money and benefit from the ignorance of those that purchase what they are selling. Therefore, it is in your best interest to do some research before purchasing Acai supplements as some of them may not be as beneficial as others.
Recent studies, specifically out of the University of Florida, which were published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, have confirmed that not only does this berry have all of these positive qualities, but that it has helped people suffering with leukemia in some of the tests that were conducted. Therefore, Acai is not only helpful for those that have a genetic predisposition toward heart disease and diabetes but it can also tackle one of the worst forms of cancer that people suffer from today.
In conclusion, at the very least, you should consider trying Acai berry supplements to promote your own personal health. With all of the benefits associated with this supplement, if you can afford to do so, it is in your best interest to take it on a regular basis in order to ward off the effects of antioxidants on your body, improve your blood sugar levels, and to live a healthier life.