The
Acai Berry
an
extraordinary antioxidant-rich palm fruit from the Amazon Rain
Forest
Capsules (60/500mg) $19.95 • Powder (90gr) $24.95
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Shipping
(continental U.S.)
About
The Acai Berry
The
acai berry (ah-sigh-ee) grows in the Amazon Rainforest on acai
palm trees and looks like a purple marble or purple grape. The
Acaí berry (fruit) is 90% seed pit and 10% acaí
pulp and must be carefully handled before it can be consumed.
During the process the acaí berries with water are put
into a machine and are agitated against one another. This process
separates the acaí pulp from the seed to produce a thick
acaí fruit pulp puree.
Acaí
berry has a unique tropical fruit flavor and provides a high
level nutritional benefits. The acaí berry contains high
levels of antioxidants also known as anthocyanins. It also contains
Omega Fatty Acids (healthy fats), Amino Acids, Fiber, Iron,
along with many other vitamins and minerals (Nutritional Value
of the Acai Berry and Acai Berry Juice). An amazonian traditional
recipe mixes acaí fruit pulp and natural guarana seed,
which gives energy and heighten mental clarity that has caffeine
like effects when combined with guarana.
Natives
living in the Amazon river region in Northern Brazil, have had
as part of their diet the acai berry for hundreds of years for
it's nutritional value. It's healing and wellness powers are
legendary throughout the area. The popularity of the acai berry
is starting to spread from Brazil to the rest of the Americas.
Acai
Berry has the following nutritional, health and wellness properties:
Antioxidant
Antibacterial
Anti-inflammatory
Antimutagenic
Cardiovascular
System
Acai
berries contain very high amounts of essential fatty acid &
omegas proven to lower LDL & maintain HDL cholesterol levels.
They also have a remarkable concentration of antioxidants to
help combat free radicals and premature aging. Acai Berry is
a source of a particular class of flavonoids called anthocyanins.
The ORAC value of Acai Berry is higher than any other edible
berry in the world! Acai Berry is also an excellent source of
dietary fiber!
Acai
is extremely rich in organic vegetable protein which does not
generate cholesterol
during its digestion and is easier processed and transported
to your muscles than animal protein
(such as in milk or meat). Besides its outstanding content of
protein and unsaturated
lipids, acai is also rich in carbohydrates which provide your
body with the necessary
energy while working or practicing any kind of sport. That is
why acai is served in most gyms,
sport clubs and beaches all over Brazil.
According
to medical research studies conducted on the acai berries, and
cited
below, their analysis reveals:
An amazingly
high concentration levels of antioxidants contributed to combating
premature aging.
The
proanthocyanidine contents in Acai Berries are 10 to 30 times
the anthocyanins (these are the purple colored antioxidants)
of red wine per volume. (1)
Although
the French have a high fat diet, they have a low incidence of
cardio vascular disease compared to the western countries. They
contribute this factor to their consumption of red wine. (5)
Acai
Berries can help a promote a healthier cardio vascular system
and digestive tract, because of its synergy of monounsaturated
(these are the healthily) fats, dietary fiber and phytosterols.
An excellent
source of fiber! There are approximately 2 grams of dietary
fiber in our Açaí Energy Mix. Fiber promotes a
healthy digestive system. Research studies suggests soluble
fibers may help lower blood cholesterol The insoluble fiber
may help to reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancers.
(5)
Essential
amino acid complex along with trace minerals, which are vital
for proper muscle contraction and regeneration.
Aside
from the energy and fluid replacement, Acai Berries provide
a nutrition profile complete with vitamins, minerals and essential
fatty acids (omega 3, 6 and 9).
The
fatty acid ratio in Acai resembles that of olive oil. Studies
suggest this is a contributing factor to the low incidence of
heart disease in Mediterranean populations. (1,5)
Acai
Berries contain plant sterols including beta-sitosterol. Today,
sterols are being used to treat associated benign prostate dyperplasia.
(6) These plant sterols have also been shown to help control
cholesterol as well as act as precursors to many important substances
produced by the body. (7)
Acai:
The Amazon Acai Berry
With 10 times the antioxidants of grapes and twice the antioxidants
of blueberries, the Brazilian Acai berry (AH-sci-EE) is considered
to have the best nutritional value of any fruit on earth.
Nutritional
Chemistry
Polyphenols:
16 (14 - 212 mg/L)
Anthocyanidins: Thirty times the amount in red wine.
Phytosterols
Monounsaturated (healthy) fats (fatty acid ratio resembling
olive oil): including essential
omega fatty acids: Oleic (omega 9)
Polyunsaturated fatty acids: Linoleic (omega 6)
Alpha-tocopherol: natural Vitamin E
Trace minerals: copper, iron, calcium, cobalt, chromium and
manganese
Dietary Fiber: 7 grams / 100 grams
Protein: amino acid profile similar to
Low glycemic index
Content per 100 grams of Acai:
Acid:
0.13%
Brix: 45.90 g
Protein: 6%
Fiber: 16.9g
Niacin: 0.40mg
Phosphorous: 58mg
Iran: 11.8mg
Vitamin B1: 0.36mg
Vitamin B2: 0.01mg
Calcium: 9mg
Vitamin C: 9mg
ph: 5.21
Calories: 247
OMEGA FATTY ACIDS;(Omega 9, Omega 6, and Omega 3). These mono-saturated
essential fatty acids help lower LDL (harmful cholesterol) while
maintaining HDL (beneficial
cholesterol). This unique ratio resembles the same combination
as olive oil. Omega fatty acids combat heart disease by increasing
healthy cell development. Omega fatty acids are essential for
healthy nervous system development and regeneration. They help
rapidly repair and rejuvenate muscles after intense exercise.
AMINO
ACIDS; the Acai berry contains an almost perfect essential amino
acid complex. This is vital for proper muscle contraction and
regeneration, and for endurance, strength, sustained energy
and muscle development.
NATURAL
VITAMIN E; to protect against aging.
THEOBROMINE;
acts as a bronchial dilator to help open air passage ways in
the lungs. This increased air capacity helps in oxygen intake,
which increases endurance, strength, and athletic performance.
PHOTOSTEROLS;
These complex compounds of plant cell membranes are used to
treat symptoms associated with BPH, (benign prostate hyperplasia).
Photosterols also help promote a healthy cardiovascular system
and contributes to a healthy digestive tract.
ANTI-OXIDANTS;
Acai is rich in antocyanins, an essential anti-oxidizer that
helps combat premature aging. In fact, acai has 10 –30
times more anthocyanins (purple colored anti-oxidants) that
a glass of red wine.
Works
Cited
1.Rogez H. Acai: Preparo, ComposiÁao, e Melhormento da
ConveraÁao. Belem: EDUFPA; 2000.
2. Seager
S, Slabaugh M. Chemistry for Today: General Organic and Biochemistry-4th
ed. California.
3. Wardlaw
G, Insel P. Perspectives in Nutrition – 2nd ed. Saint
Louis: Masby – Year Book, Inc; 1990.
4. Sillberberg
S. Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of matter and Change –
2nd ed. USA: McGraw-Hill; 2000. 1086p.
5. Cook-Fuller
C, editor. Annual Editions Nutrition 00/01 – 12th ed.
Connecticut: Dushkin/McGraw Hill; 2000.
6. Berges
B, et al. Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical
trial of beta-sitosterol in patients
with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Lancet 345: 1529–1532,
1995.
7. Pegel
K. The importance of sitosterol and sitosterolin in human and
animal nutrition.
S African J Science. 93, 263 –268, 1997.
8. Miura
T, et al. Effect of guarana on exercise in normal and epinephrine-induced
glycogenolytic mice.
Biol Pharm Bull. 1998 Jun;21(6):646-8.
9. Henman
AR. Guaran· (Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis):
Ecological and social perspectives on an economic plant of the
central Amazon basin. J. Ethnopharmacol,
1982 Nov.
10 Duke
JA. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press,
1985, 349
11 Amazon
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