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What is an Acai Berry?
An Acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) berry grows on a
palm tree in Central and South America. This Euterpe Oleracea genus
grows mainly in floodplains and swamps, growing to 15-30 meters, with
pinnate leaves to 3 meters long. They are usually called Acai Palm and
the fruit is small, round, black-purple, is similar in appearance and
shape to a grape. The fruit has a single large seed about 7-10 mm in
diameter.
Acai is particularly rich in fatty acids, feeling
oily to the touch. It is also rich in high levels of monounsaturated
fatty acid oleic acid (56.2% of total fats). Oleic acid is important
for a number of reasons. It helps Omega-3 fish oils penetrate the
cellular membrane. Is is also rich in palmitic acid (24.1% of total
fats), and polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acid (12.5% of
total fats). It also contains Beta-Sitosterol, a phytosterol that may
help lower blood cholesterol levels.
The dense pigmentation that gives the Acai berry
its deep color are rich in antioxidant value, with 10 times more
antioxidants than red grapes, and 10 to 30 times the anthocyanins of
red wine. Essential fatty acids comparable to that of olive oil, and an
almost perfect amino acid complex. Also, a synergy of EFA’s
that help foster cardiovascular and digestive health.
In summation, the Acai berry is rich in
antioxidants, amino acids, and essential fatty acids and is considered
on of the most complete food sources available.
Click here for Acai
Berry Juice
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