Up until recently the acai berry was a fairly indistinct, mysterious food. This berry is indigenous to the Amazon rainforest and it is exceptionally perishable. Therefore it has only been in recent times that it has become available for wide-reaching utilization. However, it is a natural occurring fruit and while it is more out of the ordinary it is just one of many nourishing fruits such as blueberries, cranberries and pomegranates.

The acai is a tiny, deep purple colored fruit that grows on the Amazon palm. The population in that vicinity have harvested and included the berries into their diets for hundreds of years. This minuscule little powerhouse of a fruit is an astounding source for antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, fiber and Omega 3 fatty acids.

Lately this little fruit has received ample media coverage from the national news media and talk shows such as Oprah and Rachael Ray. It has been touted as being constructive for weight loss, disease prevention, anti-aging and more. These claims are likely to be bona fide as this berry does have an exceptionally high nutritional content. However, it is just a fruit and just another in a long line of healthy, nutrition foods that contribute to great health.

With all of the claims being made, one may wonder if there are any potential side effects with the intake of this fruit. Just like with any other fruit found on earth the side effects of the actual berry are negligible. If you eat too many bananas or too many blueberries you may experience some temporary intestinal trouble but you will not suffer any lasting harmful effects. It is the same with the acai berry.

The acai berry has been featured on the Oprah show and the Rachael Ray show as well as many of the national news media outlets. Many eminent nutritionists and well-known doctors have touted the benefits of this wonderful fruit, but they also talk about the benefits of other healthful foods, such as spinach, blueberries and broccoli. Most of the name brand acai berry products have not received an authorized endorsement as the recommendations have been for the fruit itself.

There are several important nutrients contained within the acai berry that can contribute to healthy weight loss. The acai berry is high in anthocyanins, which is an antioxidant that has been proven to aid in weight loss in controlled studies involving laboratory mice. The acai berry is also loaded with healthy fiber and essential fatty acids both of which are nutrients proven to aid in weight loss by boosting metabolism and helping a person stay fuller longer.

The acai berry has one of the highest ORAC's of any food. ORAC is a synonym for Oxygen Radical Absorbency Capacity and it is just a way to evaluate the antioxidant activity of a food. Antioxidants are crucial to combat free radicals, which are greatly unbalanced substances that can cause disease and the destructive troubles usually linked with aging.

All in all the acai berry is an exceedingly beneficial fruit and it can be a great addition to any diet. You can usually find it in pulp form and juice, extract and powder forms. The only thing to be worried about is the processing. The best processing methods for this berry are flash frozen or freeze dried as both of these methods uphold the vital nutrients.

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