Don't Rule Out Acai Yet
Acai is actually a type of Palm tree that is native to South America, in a climate that is very warm and humid. It produces a berry-like fruit that is dark purple, with a mixed taste of berries and chocolate. This fruit is known as the acai berry. The heart of the palm, the soft inner part of the upper palm tree, is also harvested and used in salads and dishes.
It has, for centuries been a staple food for civilizations in the Amazon, Brazilian, Central and other South American countries. All parts of the tree can be used for something. Nothing is wasted. The hearts of palm are harvested, eaten by the natives and exported as a delicacy to other countries. The leaves have been harvested and woven into mats, baskets, brooms and roofing thatch for years. The trunks of the trees have been chopped down and cut to use in building structures all through these countries.
The fruit has become very popular in nutritional circles, both for age-defiance and for simple, healthy dieting. Acai's proponents claim that it will help boost your metabolism while giving you all of the nutrients that your body needs. The natives of Brazil have been eating the hearts of palms and the fruit from this tree for centuries, as it has been a staple food for them passed down from generation to generation.
Since the popularity of this tree has risen over the years, many natives have started farming and harvesting the palm as a way to make a living. They utilize what they need and sell the rest to health food companies, exporters and manufacturers of juices. Across Brazil this berry juice is served in the form of sodas, smoothies, sorbet, juice and a flavoring in many drinks served in gourds. They also flavor it with salt or sugar to taste, depending on the individuals preference. It is now produced in Brazil in powdered and freeze dried form for export. The seeds are harvested and planted for more trees. The time for seedlings to sprout is several months, but in comparison to other crops, is considered a short period of time. Extra seeds are ground up and used to feed animals. They also take the ground up seeds and use them as a potent fertilizer.
There have recently been a few questions raised on the actual nutritional value of the acai berry. It was first declared to be an extremely high source of antioxidant content, but other researches claim that acai actually falls below the pomegranate, and eleven different frozen fruit juices, including the mango, the strawberry, red wine, blueberry juice and concord grape juice. They say it ranks on average with black cherry and cranberry juice, but has a higher amount of antioxidants than orange and apple juices.
No matter if it has the most antioxidants or not, there are plenty of other health benefits from the acai berry to make it worthwhile. For instance, other research on acai berries indicates that it could likely help in the treatment of leukemia. The juice is already being used in some instances as a contrast in the gastrointestinal area for MRI's. Don't count it out yet, research on this tasty berry is still young and it has plenty of room left for surprises to throw at us all. - 17269
It has, for centuries been a staple food for civilizations in the Amazon, Brazilian, Central and other South American countries. All parts of the tree can be used for something. Nothing is wasted. The hearts of palm are harvested, eaten by the natives and exported as a delicacy to other countries. The leaves have been harvested and woven into mats, baskets, brooms and roofing thatch for years. The trunks of the trees have been chopped down and cut to use in building structures all through these countries.
The fruit has become very popular in nutritional circles, both for age-defiance and for simple, healthy dieting. Acai's proponents claim that it will help boost your metabolism while giving you all of the nutrients that your body needs. The natives of Brazil have been eating the hearts of palms and the fruit from this tree for centuries, as it has been a staple food for them passed down from generation to generation.
Since the popularity of this tree has risen over the years, many natives have started farming and harvesting the palm as a way to make a living. They utilize what they need and sell the rest to health food companies, exporters and manufacturers of juices. Across Brazil this berry juice is served in the form of sodas, smoothies, sorbet, juice and a flavoring in many drinks served in gourds. They also flavor it with salt or sugar to taste, depending on the individuals preference. It is now produced in Brazil in powdered and freeze dried form for export. The seeds are harvested and planted for more trees. The time for seedlings to sprout is several months, but in comparison to other crops, is considered a short period of time. Extra seeds are ground up and used to feed animals. They also take the ground up seeds and use them as a potent fertilizer.
There have recently been a few questions raised on the actual nutritional value of the acai berry. It was first declared to be an extremely high source of antioxidant content, but other researches claim that acai actually falls below the pomegranate, and eleven different frozen fruit juices, including the mango, the strawberry, red wine, blueberry juice and concord grape juice. They say it ranks on average with black cherry and cranberry juice, but has a higher amount of antioxidants than orange and apple juices.
No matter if it has the most antioxidants or not, there are plenty of other health benefits from the acai berry to make it worthwhile. For instance, other research on acai berries indicates that it could likely help in the treatment of leukemia. The juice is already being used in some instances as a contrast in the gastrointestinal area for MRI's. Don't count it out yet, research on this tasty berry is still young and it has plenty of room left for surprises to throw at us all. - 17269
posted by X - Men at
8:32 PM
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