The Super Berry Sweeping the U.S – Acai Revealed
Brazilian Berry Destroys Cancer
The power-packed Acai berry (ah-SAH’-ee) is making headlines as reports of its healing properties sweep the nation. The power-packed super berry is relatively new to the U. S. market but has been consumed by millions in South America for thousands of years. The origin of our bullet berry lies deep in the jungles of the Amazon, Brazil, and various areas surrounding Peru. The acai berry is found in bunches of 700-900, high above in palm trees and is harvested only twice a year, making it a precious commodity. This precious gem has been touted as a treasure because of its extremely high antioxidant levels and unique healing properties. Oxidation is a highly destructive process that occurs in our bodies and causes a wide variety of consequences, ranging from the wrinkles women avoid fervently to the very serious cancer. Experts are constantly in pursuit of an upper hand on cancer, and the acai berry has thus far proven itself a cancer weapon to be reckoned with. Published in the 2006 Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a study showed extracts from the acai berry triggered a self-destruct response in up to 86 percent of leukemia cells tested, according to Stephen Talcott, an assistant professor with University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Talcott further expressed, “This was only a cell-culture model and we don’t want to give anyone false hope. We are encouraged by the findings, however. Compounds that show good activity against cancer cells in a model system are most likely to have beneficial effects in our bodies.” The study consisted of six different chemical extracts prepared in seven concentrations. Four of the extracts were shown to kill significant numbers of leukemia cells when applied for 24 hours. Depending on the extract and concentration, anywhere from about 35 percent to 86 percent of the cells died. Nothing is for certain, though, since factors such as nutrient absorption, metabolism, and the influence of other biochemical processes may influence the antioxidants’ chemical activity in the human body.
In order to understand this little wonder’s potency in an example closer to home we will compare it to the highly acclaimed blueberry in order to convey its famously high antioxidant levels which keep your skin youthful and vibrant and your body healthy. We will take a look at the levels of flavanoids and anthocyanin in these fruits, as these are the elements that give them their fame and glory. These elements are significant because modern science has yet to fully understand and bottle these powerful elements. These are components of the fruits that you cannot go out and buy off shelves. In order to fully reap the benefits of these elements, you must come as close as possible to the natural source, hence “the fresher, the better.” For every fresh 3⁄4 cup of blueberry we find a respectable 113mg of 8 Flavanoids. In comparison, the acai berry pulls in an unprecedented 1289mg of over 15 rare Flavanoids for the same amount.
So far, only fundamental research has been done on acai berries, which contain at least 50 to 75 as yet unidentified compounds, but nonetheless this berry ranks highest in its class. Vital to maintaining this juggernaut’s potency, though, is in the preservation and handling of the fruit. Not all Acai is created equal, so buyers beware. All these tests were taken with flash frozen (freeze-dried) samples. This is relevant as freeze drying the berries and fast handling is significantly more expensive for companies, so many will use consumers’ lack of knowledge to their advantage. Many companies opt to take the more lucrative route of standard handling and drying of the berries, significantly compromising the levels of potency. Make no mistake, though, even with the more standard handling, the acai berry still maintains its title in the world of fruits and vegetables. When freeze dried the acai is 12 times more potent, compared to when it is simply dried and reduces to 3 times stronger than our blueberry by the time it reaches consumers. The means of testing antioxidant levels of food are with a test referred to as the ORAC or “oxygen radical absorbance capacity” analysis. Our acai rated at 1027 micromol TE/g. There is no need to understand those measuring units; but now that you understand how potent the acai is, you can appreciate the ORAC rating of other power health foods. Other powders with ORAC values this high include cinnamon (2675 micromol TE/g), cloves (3144 micromol TE/g), turmeric (2001 micromol TE/g), and dried oregano (1593 micromol TE/g) (Wu, 2004).
100 g (4/5 cup) of pure acai pulp contains 52.2 g carbohydrates, 8.1 g protein and 32.5 g total fat. The carbohydrate portion, though, includes 44.2 g of fiber. Having nearly one-third of its mass as dietary fiber, Acai is an exceptional source of this valuable macronutrient, providing all the recommended fiber needs for adults (30 g per day). Acai is particularly rich in Omega 3 fatty acids and the polyunsaturated Omega-6 fatty acid, linoleic acid, a rare combination. The combination of elements in our Acai berry allows it to demolish an immense amount of threats to our bodies, bringing new levels of health to our lives. All in all, the Acai comes highly recommended. Feel free to enjoy it in any and all products you find, but do make sure that if you are seeking to bask in the cornucopia of benefits we discussed, that you find those on which was spent the extra money to freeze dry the product. Here is a benefit recap our Brazilian juggernaut ushers into our lives. Enjoy the anti-aging, cancer fighting wonder, Agenda readers.
* Boosts energy levels
* Improves digestive function
* Improves mental clarity/focus
* Promotes sound sleep
* Provides all vital vitamins
* Contains several important minerals
* Is an extremely powerful free radical fighter
* Acai has very high levels of fibers
* Cleanses and Detoxifies the body of infectious toxins
* Strengthens your immune system
* Enhances sexual desire and performance
* Fights cancerous cells
* Slows down the aging process
* Promotes healthier and younger-looking skin
* Alleviates diabetes
* Normalizes and regulates cholesterol levels
* Helps maintain healthy heart function
* Minimizes inflammation
* Improves circulation
* Prevents artherosclerosis
* Enhances visual acuity
References
1. Cancer Study References – Tom Nordlie tnordlie@ifas.ufl.edu, Stephen Talcott, sttalcott@ifas.ufl.edu and Joshua Bomser, jbomser@hec.ohio-state.edu http://news.ufl.edu/2006/01/12/berries/
2. Cordova-Fraga T, de Araujo DB, Sanchez TA, Elias J Jr, Carneiro AA, Brandt-Oliveira R, Sosa M, & Baffa, O. (2004). Euterpe oleracea (Acai) as an alternative oral contrast agent in MRI of the gastrointestinal system: preliminary results. Magn. Reson. Imaging. 22 (3): 389-93.
3. Lichtenthaler, R., Rodrigues, R. B., Maia, J. G., Papagiannopoulos, M., Fabricius, H., & Marx, F. (2005). Total oxidant scavenging capacities of Euterpe oleracea Mart. (Acai) fruits. Int. J. Food Sci. Nutr. 56: 53-64.
4. Lubrano, C., Robin, J. R., and Khaiat, A. (1994). Fatty-acid, sterol and tocopherol composition of oil from the fruit mesocarp of 6 palm species in French-Guiana. Oleagineux 49: 59-65.
5. Del Pozo-Insfran, D., Brenes, C. H. and Talcott, S. T. 2004. Phytochemical composition and pigment stability of Acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 52: 1539-1545.
6. Del Pozo-Insfran, D., Percival, S. S., & Talcott, S. T. (2006). Acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) polyphenolics in their glycoside and aglycone forms induce apoptosis of HL-60 leukemia cells. J. Agric. Food Chem. 54 (4): 1222-1229.
7. Dyer, A. P. 1996. Latent energy in Enterpe oleracea. Biomass Energy Environ., Proc. Bioenergy Conf. 9th.
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9. Plotkin, M. J. and Balick, M. J. 1984. Medicinal uses of South American palms. J Ethnopharmacol 10: 157-79.
10. Riffle, R. L. and Craft, P. (2003). An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms. Portland, Timber Press.
11. Rodrigues, R. B., Lichtenthaler, R., Zimmermann, B. F., Papagiannopoulos, M., Fabricius, H., Marx, F., Maia, J. G. and Almeida, O. (2006). Total oxidant scavenging capacity of Euterpe oleracea Mart. (acai) seeds and identification of their polyphenolic compounds. J. Agric. Food Chem. 54: 4162-4167.
12. Schauss, A. G., Wu, X., Prior, R. L., Ou, B., Patel, D., Huang, D., & Kababick, J. P. (2006a). Phytochemical and nutrient composition of the freeze-dried amazonian palmberry, Euterpe oleraceae Mart. (acai). J. Agric. Food Chem. 54 (22): 8598-8603.
13. Schauss, A. G., Wu, X., Prior, R. L., Ou, B., Huang, D., Owens, J., Agarwal, A., Jensen, G. S., Hart, A. N., & Shanbrom, E. (2006b). Antioxidant capacity and other bioactivities of the freeze-dried amazonian palm berry, Euterpe oleraceae Mart. (acai). J. Agric. Food Chem. 54 (22): 8604-8610.
14. Schauss, A. G., (2006c). Acai (Euterpe oleracea): An Extraordinary Antioxidant-Rich Palm Fruit. Biosocial Publications.
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16. Wu, X., Beecher, G.R., Holden, J.M., Haytowitz,D.B., Gebhardt, S.E., & Prior, R.L. (2004). Lipophilic and Hydrophilic Antioxidant Capacities of Common Foods in the United States. J. Agric. Food Chem. 52 (12): 4026-4037.
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