The Acai berry is the fruit of the 6-24 meter tall Acai palm tree- "Euterpe olerácea' that grows in the Amazon tropical rainforests of Brazil. The Acai palm bears berries two times a year. The purple colored, grape like, Acai berry fruit has many legends associated with it. The edible berries are used for producing wines, coloring, flavoring and as a juice.
Acai Berry History: Discovery of the Fruit
The Acai berry fruit has been widely used by the Amazon natives for the past 100 years or so. It has been used for therapeutic purposes. According to Amazon folklore iaca was the daughter of an Indian Tribe head Itaki. Itaki ordered that all newborn babies be killed as food supply was scarce. When iaca gave birth to a child these orders were carried out. Iaca grieved over her child’s death for several days. One night she saw her child covered by a fruit of a palm tree. The next morning she was found dead, holding the tree and staring at the canopy of the tree. After his daughter’s death a remorseful Itaki lifted his order of sacrificing children. The Acai palm tree’s fruit was named after iaca (Acai is iaca spelled backwards) and the berries nourished the tribe ever after.
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Popularity in Modern Brazil
The Acai berry gradually gained popularity amidst the modern Brazilians in Rio de Janeiro. The Gracie Jiu-Jitsu family made the use of Acai berry before exercise regimens well-liked. The berry also became fashionable amidst Brazilian Futebol players who would consume its frozen pulp mixed with guarana for augmenting energy. Today most Brazilians consume it as part of their morning breakfast.
In the 1950s local scientists who conducted research on the Acai berry found that the Acai berry has diverse health benefits. Soon the Acai berry juice became a rage in juice bars and smoothies. Acai berry today has become popular all over the world after Oprah Winfrey and Dr Oz advocated the Acai berry on television due to its wide gamut of health benefits.
Acai berry extracts are rich in fibers which aid efficacious functioning of the digestive system. They contain unsaturated fatty acids that aid blood circulation and combat clogging of veins and arteries. The Acai berry contains phytosterols which can reduce bad LDL cholesterol levels and promote good HDL cholesterol. It is rich in vitamins and minerals. The Acai berry has the highest amount of antioxidants like polyphenols, amid edible fruits on this planet. The antioxidants in Acai berry help prevent premature aging. It keeps the skin fresh and supple and eradicates skin warts.
The Acai berry extracts can fight cancer, atherosclerosis, arthritis pain, heart ailments, mental depression and diabetes too. It is used as a dying agent in the human body for preparing for MRI scans of the intestines. Continuous consumption of the berry extracts can lead to fast and permanent weight loss as well as detoxification of the body. The berry improves sleep, mental clarity and energy levels.
Acai berry with all its nutrition and health benefits is indeed the fruit of health.
