A Guide to Acai
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.
The acai palm tree and its; fruit have been a staple food for the Amazonian (mostly Caboclo) civilization in the Amazon for countless years. The use every part of the tree, with no part of it going to waste. The fruit is picked and made into juice or pulp products three different times each year. The palm hearts are harvested and eaten, locally or as an export. The leaves have been used for mats, baskets brooms and other items. The leaves have also been used for centuries to thatch the roofs of their homes and huts. The trunks of the trees have been harvested for their wood, used in local home building.
You've seen it on many infomercials and talk shows. The berry is claimed to have many properties that the health food buff or dieter needs. They claim it can energize you by boosting your metabolism. However, to the natives where this tree grows, their concern was using it as a staple food and other uses, since they found they could use the whole tree. They have taught its use to their children, passed down from one generation to the next.
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.
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
The acai palm tree and its; fruit have been a staple food for the Amazonian (mostly Caboclo) civilization in the Amazon for countless years. The use every part of the tree, with no part of it going to waste. The fruit is picked and made into juice or pulp products three different times each year. The palm hearts are harvested and eaten, locally or as an export. The leaves have been used for mats, baskets brooms and other items. The leaves have also been used for centuries to thatch the roofs of their homes and huts. The trunks of the trees have been harvested for their wood, used in local home building.
You've seen it on many infomercials and talk shows. The berry is claimed to have many properties that the health food buff or dieter needs. They claim it can energize you by boosting your metabolism. However, to the natives where this tree grows, their concern was using it as a staple food and other uses, since they found they could use the whole tree. They have taught its use to their children, passed down from one generation to the next.
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.
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
8:58 PM
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