Don't Rule Out Acai Yet
Like many of the other superfruits, the acai tree is native to hot, humid and tropical climates like those found in Central America, South America and Brazil. The purple berry that it produces has a berry-chocolate flavor to it. The inside of the palm, the soft part know as the heart of palm has been used in salads, eaten alone and in other 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 media has started promoting the berry and its juice from this tree, the farming of acai has enabled natives to create a financially richer life. What used to be a staple food for them is now a means of living. They use what they need of the tree, plant more, farm them, harvest them, and then sell them to exporters and diet food companies. The juice is very popular in Brazil. You can drink it sweet or salty, whichever you prefer. They are also now selling it in freeze dried and powder form for exporting abroad. This is one of those plants that is functional in many areas. None of it goes to waste. Now that they are farming it, the seeds are more important than ever. After they plant the seeds, it only takes a couple months for seedlings to sprout. This is considered a short time under good conditions. Any left over seeds can be ground and used in the feeding of farm animals and in enriching the soil around plants.
A couple of recent lab studies have indicated that the level of antioxidants once advertised for this berry is not as high as it was first stated. They had claimed it as being among the very highest in antioxidants, however the studies they have been performing lately in comparison to other fruits and juices, shows this berry as coming up short of the peak. It may not have as high a level of antioxidants when compared to several frozen fruit juices, red wine, strawberries, mangos, blueberries, dark-colored grapes and pomegranates. If they are correct, acai may only run on an even keel with cherries and cranberries, but is still higher in antioxidants than oranges and of course apple juice.
Even without the huge antioxidant component, there is little doubt that acai is an awesome nutritional boost to your body. Many studies have indicated that this berry may be a future treatment for leukemia, diabetes, heart health and high blood pressure, as well as many other difficult-to-treat illnesses. If fact, they are already using acai as a contrast agent in MRI's for gastrointestinal scans! - 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 media has started promoting the berry and its juice from this tree, the farming of acai has enabled natives to create a financially richer life. What used to be a staple food for them is now a means of living. They use what they need of the tree, plant more, farm them, harvest them, and then sell them to exporters and diet food companies. The juice is very popular in Brazil. You can drink it sweet or salty, whichever you prefer. They are also now selling it in freeze dried and powder form for exporting abroad. This is one of those plants that is functional in many areas. None of it goes to waste. Now that they are farming it, the seeds are more important than ever. After they plant the seeds, it only takes a couple months for seedlings to sprout. This is considered a short time under good conditions. Any left over seeds can be ground and used in the feeding of farm animals and in enriching the soil around plants.
A couple of recent lab studies have indicated that the level of antioxidants once advertised for this berry is not as high as it was first stated. They had claimed it as being among the very highest in antioxidants, however the studies they have been performing lately in comparison to other fruits and juices, shows this berry as coming up short of the peak. It may not have as high a level of antioxidants when compared to several frozen fruit juices, red wine, strawberries, mangos, blueberries, dark-colored grapes and pomegranates. If they are correct, acai may only run on an even keel with cherries and cranberries, but is still higher in antioxidants than oranges and of course apple juice.
Even without the huge antioxidant component, there is little doubt that acai is an awesome nutritional boost to your body. Many studies have indicated that this berry may be a future treatment for leukemia, diabetes, heart health and high blood pressure, as well as many other difficult-to-treat illnesses. If fact, they are already using acai as a contrast agent in MRI's for gastrointestinal scans! - 17269
posted by X - Men at
7:15 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home