From the cultures of the Amazon and Brazilian rainforests comes a small dark purple berry that’s been ranked as one of the new superfoods.

Açai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) berries, also known as cabbage palm berries, grow on the Acai Palm Tree and are related to the saw palmetto berries, and are extremely rich in antioxidants.

The acai berry is especially rich in the antioxidant properties by its concentration of anthocyanin, a colour purple antioxidant, also found in red wine that prevents oxidants from harming connective tissue while repairing damaged proteins in blood vessel walls. However, the dosage of anthocyanins in acai berries is 10-33 higher than in red wine.

The acai berry also contains 19 essential amino acids, two essential fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-9), calcium, iron, phosphorus, manganese, potassium, copper, zinc, vitamins A, C, E, a range of B vitamins, plus trace minerals, fibre, protein, and phytosterols beneficial for prostate and urinary tract health.

Research has shown that açai berries prevent and destroy abnormal cell growth. The effects of Açai on the destruction of human leukemia cells were recently investigated at the University of Florida. Extracts form the berry triggered self destruction of up to 86 per cent of leukemia cells. Another study at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine showed that anthocyabnins kill human cancer cells, including leukemia and lymphoma.

Acai berries have also shown to lower blood sugar, reduce cholesterol, improve sleep, support heart health, and age-defying.

Dr. Nicholas Perricone promoted acai berries as the # 1superfood on the Oprah Winfrey show.

The Acai berry is smaller than a grape and is mostly seed, covered in a small amount of pulp. Only the pulp, not the seed, is eaten. Açai berries wild harvested have a taste of berries and chocolate.
The acai fruit is most nutritious when consumed fresh or as frozen fruit pulp. However, acai perishes within about 24 hours after being harvested. Acai pulp from the Amazon can be frozen and shipped to the US. It mostly can be found in better health food stores and some smoothy bars.
Acai berries are now used in jam, chocolate, yogurt, heath drinks, and bars.
It can be found in supplements, but if you choose acai as a supplement, ensure that the product processed in such a way that it maintains its nutritional health benefits. Better quality supplements are made from organic or wild harvested pure acai, without fillers, sugar, and other by-products, freeze dried, not from extract, with a high ORAC value.