Acai: The Amazon Viagra for Anti-Aging and More

“Superfoods” seem to be all the rage these days. Which super food takes the number one spot? Acai. But if you’re like me, you have no idea exactly WHY this food is so… “super”. I mean, what can acai offer me that my broccoli can’t?

What are acai and where does acai come from?

The acai is a round, tiny dark purple fruit that is about the same size as a grape. Though you probably won’t be finding any native acai in North America or Europe, you can find it growing from acai palm trees in swamps and floodplains of Central and South America.

What are the benefits of acai?

The list of benefits that acai offer seems to just grow day by day! What first helped acai berries gain their notoriety as a “super food” was how antioxidant-rich these tiny fruits are. Antioxidants have come to be known as the ultimate natural cancer fighters. They are said to be double as rich in antioxidants as blueberries, and ten times as rich than grapes! Other great benefits include:

• An increased amount of energy
• Anti-Aging benefits
• Improved sleep
• Stronger cardiovascular health
• Improved attention/focus
• Better digestion
• Better circulation
• Stronger muscles and bones

What makes acai so nutritious?

Just as the old adage goes, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” the same may be true about the acai fruit. This fruit is almost completely complete, containing the following ingredients necessary for us to stay healthy:

• Amino acids
• Antioxidants
• Anthocyanins
• Dietary Fiber
• Essential minerals, such as iron, potassium, phosphorus and calcium
• Lipids (fats)
• Omega 3, 6 & 9
• Phytonutrients
• Protein
• Vitamins B1, B2, B3, C, as well as E

For such a tiny fruit, it sure packs quite a punch.

Where can you find Acai?

Acai products are no longer only available in natural health food stores. You can find a number of fruit juices and drinks that contain 100% acai juice, partial amounts of acai juice, acai pulp, acai powder, weight-loss supplements containing acai, and even alcoholic beverages “infused” with the acai flavor. I once even came across acai chewing gum.

It is important to note, however, that all of these products are not necessarily “good” for you or contain an amount of acai that is beneficial to you. Remember to read the labels of what you are buying to determine how good that product is for you. Natural health food stores tend to carry more reputable items, so certainly be cautious of the acai products offered in your every-day grocery store.

photo by Pat Benatar