The Mystic History of Acai Berry
Written by Caitin Ryan on March 24th, 2009Do you want to look younger? Improve your overall health? Stop looking in the cosmetic department and start looking toward the Brazilian rainforest. No worries! You do not have to travel to this remote region to benefit from the latest scientific discovery: The Amazing Acai Berry!
Acai (pronounced Ah-SIGH-ee) berries have become quite popular in the past few years, but the people of the Brazilian rainforest have long revered this gorgeous purple fruit that grows on a palm tree.
There is a story told about the discovery of the acai berry. An Amazon Indian girl was the daughter of the tribal chief. The tribe had grown so large that they did not have enough food, and the chief was forced to create a rule that made it necessary to kill any newborn babies. He was unable to spare even his grandchild when his daughter, Iaca, gave birth.
She mourned her child to the point of hearing the cries of a baby outside her hut. She desperately searched for what she thought was her newborn baby crying for her. Instead, she found a new palm tree growing in the midst of the Amazon rainforest. Terribly heartbroken, she lay beneath the palm tree and died.
The tribe discovered Iaca and noticed that the new tree had purple berries plentiful enough and nutritious enough to sustain the entire tribe. The tribal chief said that the newborns would now be spared death and he named the berries Acai (Iaca spelled backwards) after his daughter.
Folklore aside, modern science has discovered some truly magical qualities about the acai berry. Acai berries contain super antioxidants, essential amino acids and omega 3 fatty acids.
Anthocyanin is the super antioxidant that gives the acai berry its gorgeous royal purple color. It is also known for its ability to slow or stop tumor growth in laboratory studies. Though all antioxidants are capable of fighting free radicals and the damage they incur thus preventing cancer, anthocyanin is more powerful than most.
Damage from free radicals is thought to be the source of aging, so acai berries are also good for preventing premature aging.
In addition to other powerful antioxidant, acai berries have an unusual plant characteristic. Only animal protein contains a complete source of essential amino acids, but acai berries come pretty close! This makes them an excellent source of protein without the damaging effects of saturated fat also found in animal protein.
Instead of saturated fat, acai berries contain omega 3 fatty acids, which have the remarkable ability to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise good cholesterol (HDL). Fish and fish oil supplements contain omega 3 fatty acids.
Acai berries are simply the most remarkable fruit that we know about at this time. Acai berries can slow the aging process, prevent disease and simply improve your overall health! They are delicious and fantastic for smoothies. They are also available in other forms such as supplements and powder.
Make sure you do not fall prey to acai juice that is mostly corn syrup and chemicals.
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