Some Acai Berry Recipe If You Can Get Your Hands On Some.

This recipe if for the traditional method of prepartion for the Acai Berry.

Traditional Brazilian Style Take 7 Oz. (200 grams) Açai into a blender.

Add 1/2 cup of soy milk or juice and 1 banana (you can also add other fruits like strawberry/mango/etc).

Blend until smooth and serve in a bowl topped with sliced bananas and granola.

Yum Yum....

Greenpeace Mentions The Acai Berry

Here's what Greenpeace has to say about the Acai Berry and Acai Palm Tree.

Greenpeace Acai Berry Article

I found this fact quite interesting...

In 1995 almost 106,000 Tonnes of Acai Berry wine was produced and exported at an estimated value of $40 Million US Dollars.

A Very Interesting Acai Berry Fact - How Much Acai Can They Drink!

From the prior Acai Berry Article that I mentioned in my last post I gained a very interesting little tidbit of information on the Acai.

In the South American city of Belem they estimate 200,000 liters of Acai Berry juice is consumed on a daily basis amongst a population of 1.3 Million people.

This has developed a very strong industry employing nearly 30,000 people.

The mystery of the Acai Berry is starting to unfold.

Acai Is Great For Energy - Acai Is Even Better For Sex!

Or so the locals say...

Here is an excerpt from another very lengthy but interesting article on the Acai Berry.

"Rio de Janeiro is the city that worships health and beauty and where the healthy and the beautiful drink açaí. Pronounced ah-sah-yee, açaí is more of a lifestyle option than a foodstuff; a magic fruit potion that fuels the hedonistic energy of Brazilian beach life.

Shortly after I moved to Rio, I was told about the acai berry's amazing nutritional properties: Brazilians believe it gives you strength, energy and is great for sex.

A friend told me that when he was having difficulty in fathering a child, the first thing his doctor recommended was 'drink lots of acai. And it worked!'

I took my first sip at one of the juice bars that line the blocks by the beach. The berry juice is served half-frozen and its thick gloopiness means that you slurp it up with a spoon. This seems to accentuate its carnal, brutish aspect. As does the fact that the people who drink it are invariably nearly naked, in Speedo trunks or bikinis. "

Continue Reading This Article On The Acai Berry

Grow Your Own Acai Berry Palm Tree - With Acai Palm Seeds.

While doing a little browsing today I came across a site that was selling seads for the Acai Palm which produces the Acai Berry...

Acai Palm Seed Information

It would probably take a while and some hard work to actually get the Acai tree to bear fruit but I don't know... I'll post on here when I get new info.

Interesting Website On The Amazon Acai Berry - Acai Tree - And Acai Cultivation

Here is another website I found tonight while searching for more information on the Acai Berry and it's many related health benefits...

They have several pictures of the Acai Palm Tree... The Acai Berries themselves and the beautiful regions in which the Acai grows...

There is even some Acai Berry recipes and preparation methods.

Muana Acai Berry Website

Did You Know? - Quick Acai Fruit Fact.

Did you know that certain parts of the Acai plant can be burned and the smoke that the Acai produces acts as a very strong repellent against Mosquitos and other jungle pests and parasites...

Did you know that the palm hearts from the Acai tree is widely used in the preparations of gourmet salads, creams, stuffings and they even use parts of the Acai tree for feeding their livestock.

The Acai palm tree's root has also been used in the treatment of bleeding and against worms.

Interesting Acai Facts you might not have known!

Interesting Acai Berry Facts - Comparison Of Acai Fruit To Raw Cows Milk

While searching the net for information on the Acai Berry I came across a website with a short nutritional comparison of the Acai Berry with raw cow milk, According to this source

Acai fruit pulp VS Raw Cows Milk:

• Acai fruit pulp has 4 times more energy
• Acai fruit pulp has 3 times more lipids
• Acai fruit pulp has 7 times more carbohydrates
• Acai fruit pulp has 9 times more vitamin B1
• Acai fruit pulp has 8 times more vitamin C
• Acai fruit pulp has the same amount of protein and calcium
• Acai fruit pulp has half as much phosphorus
  

The last time I checked though I didn't have an Acai Palm Tree in my backyard so I guess I'll have to stick to Milk for now...

Until I break down and buy some Acai juice from one of the many people selling it now.

How The Acai Berry Is Locally Prepared In The Amazon

The Acai Berry can be prepared as a drink in the following way...

First the Acai Berry Juice needs to be extracted from the Acai Berries then the Acai Drink is made like this:

The pits of the Acai Berry are placed in water so that it can soften the fine peel that covers the Acai fruit.

Soon after, the Acai pits are kneaded with water in a clay bowl or nowadays a machine may do it. The Acai mixture is then filtered through special sieves to obtain the Acai's purple liquid, thick and with a very distinct flavor.

After adding sugar, tapioca meal or farinha-d'água (manioc flour), locals drink this Acai juice cold from a gourd or bowl with a spoon.

The Acai Berry Helps Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular Maintenance properties, of Acai.

Acai is a new fruit from Brazil that offers vital nutritional benefits for people over 40 years of age. The Acai contains 33 times the cholesterol fighting anthocyanin than a glass of red wine, a Daily Value (DVS) of calcium, twice the DVS at the antioxidant 'Vitamin E and a substantial amount of dietary fiber„ (2)

Cardiovascular Maintenance, Anthocyanins are cholesterol regulating compounds with well researched data (indicating their value in Cardiovascular support Elevated blood cholesterol is one of the major modifiable risk factors for coronary heart disease (5) and the leading cause of death in the US The fact is that 490,000 Americans die of Coronary Heart Diseases each year (3) with cost of over $60 billion annually in medical expenses and lost productivity ( 4) Therefore, regulating and reducing cholesterol through dietary means can contribute to prolonging life and reducing medical expenses.

Low cholesterol foods and exercise are only a part of the natural program to prevent and mitigate cardiovascular diseases. The consumption of foods rich in compounds that reduce cholesterol, reduce blood pressure and curry antioxidant protection completes the program. Acai is an excellent example of such a functional food that is now accessible to food, beverage and supplement markets in an economical and convenient form.

Calcium rich Acai also provides several cardiovascular health benefits. According to a research summary by the Just-Food.com editorial team. More than maintaining skeletal strength and reducing the impact of osteoporosis, studies have shown that people who suffer from high blood pressure often also have diets low in calcium, When calcium is added to their diet, blood pressure drops. Some research also suggest that calcium may help reduce LDL cholesterol levels. Also the lower risk of stroke, found in a study of 86,000 women, was attributed to calcium. Diets rich in calcium have also been linked to reduced occurrences of colon and breast cancer in various laboratory studies.

The generous amount of Vitamin E in Acai, twice the D.V., (Daily Value), is essential for regeneration of damaged tissue and as a protective antioxidant. Cancer prevention and Intestinal function: "Acai" high fiber content is very favorable to the consumers proper intestinal function, " reports Dr. Herve Rogez , "Fiber accelerates the intestinal processes and has a very important role in avoiding colon cancer, The D.V. is 35g of fibers/adult a day, Acai consumers reach this dose very easily," (2)


References
(1)Claire Madden, VP Marketing at MarketResearch.com,
(2) "Biochemical and Technical Studies on Acai" by Dr. Herve Rogez 2, Sofia Pascal 2, Jesus N.S. de Souza, Arlete R. Aquino & Raphaele Buxant Dept.. de Engenharia Quimica - Centro Tecnologico, Diaouiweir ria I niinnin, Beligica)
(3) National Contor for Health Statictice. Annual summary of births, marriages, divorces, and deaths United States, 1993, Monthly vital statistics report-, vol 42 no 13. Hyattsville, MD: Public Health Service, 1594.
(4) American Heart Association. Heart and stroke facts 1995 statistical supplement. Dallas, TX: American Heart Association, 1994,
(5) National Cholesterol Education Program. Second report of the Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults Adult Treatment Panel II). BeM6sda National Heart, Lung

Do You Know The Scientific Name For The Acai Berry?

Don't worry... I didn't know the scientific name for Acai Berry either until I found it on the web today.

The scientific name for the Acai Berry is....

"Euterpe Oleracea"

Wow!

The Acai Berry Connection With Lowering Heart Disease

Did you know...

The fatty acid ratio of the Acai berry resembles that of olive oil.

The fatty acid ratio in Olive Oil is thought to be a contributing factor for the low incidence of heart disease in Mediterranean populations.

Acai Berries are proving to be quite powerful.

The Wall Street Journal On The Acai Berry

The Wall Street Journal April 18, 2003.

Açaí Replaces Wheatgrass In Blenders at Juice Bars

By TATIANA BONCOMPAGNI

Wheatgrass, protein shakes -- so 2002. At juice bars and health stores around the country, the hip new taste is açaí, (pronounced ah-sigh-EE) a grape-size, deep-purple berry that grows atop palm trees in the Brazilian jungle. In the two years since it hit the U.S., sales have jumped fivefold to $2.5 million, says Ryan Black, founder of Sambazon, the fruit's main U.S. importer, while at Juice It Up, a California chain, açaí drinks and dishes account for 10% of sales. "People drive out of their way to get it," says Brandon Gough, the company's vice president of marketing.

Fans say the fruit (which comes to the U.S. as frozen pulp) not only tastes good, but also is good for you -- packed with anthocyanins, the same antioxidants that give red wine its health benefits.

And, in a hat trick of health-bar chic, it's good for the Amazon, too, because it's collected by local families who can earn as much as $1,000 during the December-to-August harvest season (twice as much as they can usually make). "It gives them income and another land use besides cutting down the trees and raising cattle," says Chris Kilham, who teaches ethnobotany at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Very Interesting Scientific Information On The Amazon Acai Berry

The Hidden Secrets
By: Jeffrey Bliss

Polyphenols, Phytochemicals, Anthocyanins, what are they and what are the benefits of such compounds?

Phytochemicals characterize, or sum up the whole picture of the beneficial compounds found in fruits, vegetables, and certain teas. They are the protective living matter in which plants are able to thrive in some uncertain environments such as climate and insect infestations. When consumed by humans, these compounds act as antioxidants so vital to good health and longevity. Many studies suggest that the use of antioxidants may help in the fight against anti-aging, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and so many other age related degenerative diseases including ophthalmology.

Anthocyanins are some of the more potent forms of antioxidants. We have all heard of the "French Paradox", how the people of France with their high fat diets and not uncommon unhealthy lifestyles are still below the percentage of related deaths from cardiovascular disease than many of the populations which exist today.

One reason may be that they consume large amounts of red wine. Wine, made from grapes have very high levels of the antioxidant anthocyanins. The polyphenols (anthocyanins) in red wine, are believed to mitigate the effects of a fatty diet and smoking. Anthocyanin, a polyphenol which is proven to reverse, halt, and improve the conditions of many age related diseases inflicted on the general population. Anthocyanins (flavonoids) found in various fruits have a unique chemical structure that makes them 6 to 8 times more potent than vitamin C.

One particular fruit, known as Acai (ah-Sa-E) contains the most highly concentrated forms of anthocyanins known thus far through intense research. The anthocyanin content in the Acai is proven to be 3.5 times the amount of that present in a glass of red wine, volume to volume when tested in an ORAL analysis ( measure of capacity).

Anthocyanins and their protective properties:
Inflammation and Collagen: Anthocyanins neutralize enzymes that destroy connective tissue. Their antioxidant capacity prevents oxidants from damaging connective tissues and repair damaged proteins in the blood-vessel walls.

The Nervous System: By preventing tyrosine nitration, the anthocyanin properties in Acai may help protect against neurological diseases.

The primary anthocyanins in Acai known as Cyanidin-3-glucoside have been found to help in the reversal of age related neurological deficits.

Large and Small Blood-Vessels: Anthocyanins ability to counter oxidants make them a powerhouse in the fight against arteriosclerosis. Even in trace amounts, anthocyanins effectively protect against LDL oxidation. Anthocyanins protect the integrity of the endothelial cells that line blood vessel walls and help to maintain micro capillary integrity.

Diabetes: One of the serious diabetic complications is retinopathy, which in most cases can cause blindness. This condition occurs when the body attempts to repair leaking, damaged capillaries, but does so by over producing abnormal proteins. The protection of anthocyanins may help prevent these capillaries from leaking and to help prevent abnormal protein proliferation.

Eyesight: Anthocyanins may also help improve eyesight by numerous mechanisms. In the Second World War, British fighter pilots were found to have improved night vision. These findings were thought to be contributed by the large amounts of bilberry in the pilot's diet. The effects of the improved night vision were not long lasting after the initial consumption of bilberry lasting just hours after initial consumption. With this new found advantage, the pilots would consume the bilberry fruits just prior to the mission.

Sources: Pigmentated fruits are known to carry the highest amounts of anthocyanins. Fruits that can be eaten with skin on, offer the highest value of anthocyanins. These fruits would consist of cherries, grapes, raspberries, blueberries, bilberry, and Acai to name a few.

More information on Acai can be found here http://www.JungleBerryJuice.com

Cardiovascular Maintenance Properties, Of The Amazon Acai Berry.

Acai is a new fruit from Brazil that offers vital nutritional benefits for people over 40 years of age. The Acai contains 33 times the cholesterol fighting anthocyanin than a glass of red wine, a Daily Value (DVS) of calcium, twice the DVS at the antioxidant 'Vitamin E and a substantial amount of dietary fiber„

(2) Cardiovascular Maintenance, Anthocyanins are cholesterol regulating compounds with well researched data (indicating their value in Cardiovascular support Elevated blood cholesterol is one of the major modifiable risk factors for coronary heart disease (5) and the leading cause of death in the US The fact is that 490,000 Americans die of Coronary Heart Diseases each year (3) with cost of over $60 billion annually in medical expenses and lost productivity ( 4)

Therefore, regulating and reducing cholesterol through dietary means can contribute to prolonging life and reducing medical expenses. Low cholesterol foods and exercise are only a part of the natural program to prevent and mitigate cardiovascular diseases. The consumption of foods rich in compounds that reduce cholesterol, reduce blood pressure and curry antioxidant protection completes the program. Acai is an excellent example of such a functional food that is now accessible to food, beverage and supplement markets in an economical and convenient form.

Calcium rich Acai also provides several cardiovascular health benefits. According to a research summary by the Just-Food.com editorial team. More than maintaining skeletal strength and reducing the impact of osteoporosis, studies have shown that people who suffer from high blood pressure often also have diets low in calcium, When calcium is added to their diet, blood pressure drops. Some research also suggest that calcium may help reduce LDL cholesterol levels. Also the lower risk of stroke, found in a study of 86,000 women, was attributed to calcium. Diets rich in calcium have also been linked to reduced occurrences of colon and breast cancer in various laboratory studies.

The generous amount of Vitamin E in Acai, twice the D.V., (Daily Value), is essential for regeneration of damaged tissue and as a protective antioxidant. Cancer prevention and Intestinal function: "Acai" high fiber content is very favorable to the consumers proper intestinal function, " reports Dr. Herve Rogez , "Fiber accelerates the intestinal processes and has a very important role in avoiding colon cancer, The D.V. is 35g of fibers/adult a day, Acai consumers reach this dose very easily," (2)
References.

(1)Claire Madden, VP Marketing at MarketResearch.com,
(2) "Biochemical and Technical Studies on Acai" by Dr. Herve Rogez 2, Sofia Pascal 2, Jesus N.S. de Souza, Arlete R. Aquino & Raphaele Buxant Dept.. de Engenharia Quimica - Centro Tecnologico, Diaouiweir ria I niinnin, Beligica)
(3) National Contor for Health Statictice. Annual summary of births, marriages, divorces, and deaths United States, 1993, Monthly vital statistics report-, vol 42 no 13. Hyattsville, MD: Public Health Service, 1594.
(4) American Heart Association. Heart and stroke facts 1995 statistical supplement. Dallas, TX: American Heart Association, 1994,
(5) National Cholesterol Education Program. Second report of the Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults Adult Treatment Panel II). BeM6sda National Heart, Lung.

For More Information Visit http://www.JungleBerryJuice.com