Ultimate Acai

A recently completed University of Florida study has added to the buzz surrounding the Brazilian acai berry. The study is one of the first to research the many claims attributed to the ultimate acai fruit.

In it’s study, six different chemical extracts were made from acai berry pulp, and each extract was prepared in seven concentrations.

At least 4 of the extracts killed a great many cancer cells when applied for 24 hours or more. Anywhere from 35 percent to 86 percent of the cancer cells were destroyed, depending on the particular extract and concentration.

According to Stephen Talcott, an assistant professor with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the study showed extracts from ultimate acai berries triggered a self-destruct response (apoptosis) in up to 86 percent of leukemia cells tested.

Talcott, however, cautioned against reading too much into the results, noting that the tests were run against cancer cell cultures and not on human test subjects.

Still, the results are exciting. In the last year, the Brazilian berry has really taken off in the United States. It has also caught the attention of many companies who are now creating products that include the ultimate acai berry.

Although, ultimate acai berries are thought to be one of the richest fruit sources of antioxidants, other antioxidant rich fruits have been shown to kill cancer cells in similar studies.

Antioxidants are substances that may protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. Free radical damage is theorized to be one of the main causes of cancer. A sufficient amount of ultimate acai antioxidants are thought by many to short-circuit this process by interacting with and stabilizing the free radicals and may stopping the damage that they do to healthy cells.

Experts are divided on just what effect antioxidants have on cancer cells in the human body, because of the many other lifestyle factors that have to be factored into the equation.

Many anecdotal claims have been made for the ultimate acai berry. And traditionally Indians in the Brazilian rain forest have used it in ways as diverse as food, house thatching, drink, diarrhea, jaundice, fevers, and as treatment for many other health diseases.

The University of Florida study is a welcome step towards getting away from some of the claims of acai and subjecting it to controlled studies.

“A lot of claims are being made, but most of them haven’t been tested scientifically,” Talcott said. “We are just beginning to understand the complexity of the ultimate acai berry and its health-promoting effects.”

When you think of the most powerful fruits out there today, the acia berry tops the list. Hailing from South America in the northern regions of Brazil, the acia berry has brought forth tons of benefits to the surrounding community. Natives in the area call it the “ica-cai,” which means “the fruit that cries.” It is used there to help prevent and cure sicknesses as well as other ailments. The end result is fewer colds, more energy, a stronger immune system, and just healthier people in general.

Unfortunately it has taken years for acai berries to reach western civilization. However, once we were introduced to all the benefits, the growth and popularity manifested into several other products. You can find it in energy bars, juices, and other health food items. This was due to the overwhelming range of benefits this fruit offers.

The major medicinal benefits of the berries include an increase in heart health. It is filled with anthocyanins, a compound that prevents free radical damage that is also present in red wines. The ultimate acai berries provide all the benefits without any of the alcoholic effects. The acia berry is also extremely high in protein and dietary fibre. It is common knowledge that many people lack the necessary fibre that is needed to regulate digestion. Thus, a diet that includes this fruit not only aids in the protection of the heart and cardiovascular system, it also ensures proper regularity.

Acai berries also contain Omega 6 and Omega 9, which are fatty acids to help you lower cholesterol. Add in the anti-aging properties that also come from the anthocyanins and you can see why tons of individuals are trying to add this superfood to their daily regimen.

For a long time it was difficult to acquire the acia berry as they were generally confined to health food stores and sometimes extremely expensive. However, much like all wildly nutritious foods, they entered the mainstream and became a regularly available commodity in local supermarkets. Generally, you can buy them in highly concentrated fruit drinks that are mixed with other qualifiers such as apple, grape or spinach super drinks. In some cases, you can even purchase the berries in raw form to optimize metabolic absorption!

The taste of the acia berry is unique and one that most people enjoy. Thanks to a combination of berries and chocolate flavor it has been able to help control cravings for sweets and control weight gain for many. If you take the leap and start utilizing the acia berry you will simply be a healthier individual and have more energy throughout each day.

There has been a groundbreaking discovery in the field of health and nutrition. Though it has been featured in the media and become an underground buzz, it is still generally unknown. It is the anti-aging and health re-vitalizing power of a little Brazilian fruit, now declared the new #1 superfood: the acai berry.

Before this recent finding the blueberry was acclaimed as the most nutrient rich food. It had been recognized for its extremely powerful antioxidant properties.

Antioxidants are essential for full body health. In the natural process of the body’s workings, cells are constantly metabolizing. This creates byproducts called free radicals. Free radicals are molecules missing an electron. A free radical will seek to stabilize itself and by stealing an electron from a healthy cell. This creates yet another free radical, causing more cell damage. The process snowballs as we age and eventually we begin to feel its effects at around age 35 or 40 – the domino effect of untreated massive cell damage. Things begin to go wrong.

As the unchecked flow of free radicals damages cells we begin to see degeneration, aging and disease. Free radicals can invade a cell wall, damage the DNA, and begin the process that can start cancer. They can invade the cell and cause the mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell, to slow down or stop working altogether. Depending on where this happens, it can disrupt many of the body’s natural systems – from neuronal firing to hormonal balance.

Antioxidants are molecules loaded with extra free electrons. By providing the body with a powerful source of external antioxidants, the free radicals are now able to stabilize themselves by getting their electron from the antioxidants instead of from your cells. This prevents further cell damage.

The blueberry is packed with anthocyanins, an antioxidant phytonutrient which is a far more powerful source of antioxidants than Vitamins A and E. Anthocyanins have been shown to neutralize free radical damage which can result in so many health conditions, such as cataracts, varicose veins, peptic ulcers, heart disease, cancer – the list goes on and on.

Blueberries have been recognized as being far more powerful in supplying antioxidants than wine. Now they have been replaced as the #1 nutrient rich, antioxidant packed anti-aging superfood by the acai berry (pronounced ah-sigh-ee).

The acai berry contains the same antioxidant phytonutrients as blueberries, anthocyanins, except in FAR greater amounts. Blueberries have been shown to deliver 38% more anthocyanins than red wine. The acai berry has been shown to be an antioxidant 33 times more powerful than red wine and 5 times more powerful than ginko biloba.

Dr. Nicholas Perricone in his new book the Perricone Promise calls the acai berry the most perfect food on the planet. It rates #1 on his list of recommendations of the top ten ingredients to look and feel younger, enjoy revitalized health and decelerate the aging process.

The acai berry is also very unique, being packed with so many nutrients. It has amino acids, which is unheard of in fruits and vegetables in North America. It has the protein content of an egg, the essential fatty acids of olive oil and is rich in the A and B vitamins. It is a ‘multivitamin’ food!

Ingesting it has incredible health benefits. Even if you are healthy you will probably notice positive effects as you introduce a more balanced nutrition to your body, including increased energy and mental clarity.

Antioxidants have been recognized as an essential part of our diet in order to restore our health and prevent future disease. Now we have access to the most powerful antioxidant ever discovered. This can take our health to whole new levels.