Current Acai News
In our ongoing effort to provide you with the best, most eco-friendly products, we traveled to the Amazon Rainforest to get a first-hand look at acai and camu camu fields.
We just returned from a day trip along the Amazon River. We visited a collective acai farm outside of Belem, Brazil. This farm is part of a group called POEMA and Bolsa Amazonia. The group promotes eco-education and ethical business opportunities involving the Amazon's natural resources in a socially responsible and ecologically sound manner. They have a lab at the Federal University of Pará dedicated to researching açaí and other indigenous fruits and plants.
We met with the directors of POEMA, who introduced us to many new ideas and natural resources that are healthy, renewable, and sustainable - it was truly enlightening. We also visited a few unique small businesses in Belem that produce handmade, natural products that are incredibly beautiful and one-of-a-kind. In the near future, we'll share information on a variety of new Amazonian products we will offer.
We have so much more to tell you about our trip, but we are off to another area and facility to see more acai and camu camu.
Click here to see pictures of our recent trip
to
Brazil and the Amazon
More Great Acai Berry Information:
- Acai (Euterpe oleracea) History, Harvesting and Use!
- Fun facts about acai berries and juice!
- More information on the Acai Berry!
Facts about the Acai Berry:
Acai Berry (Euterpe Oleracea): The acai berry or acai fruit (ah-sigh-ee) grows on acai palms in the Amazon Rainforest and is similar to a grape in size, shape, and properties. Acai berries are considered one of the most nutritious (antioxidant) fruits of the Amazon Rainforest, and native peoples have consumed them for hundreds, maybe even thousands, of years. The acai berry itself is 88-90% seed and 10%-12% pulp and skin. Acai must be carefully harvested and processed before it can be made into juice, as it is very sensitive to sun exposure after picking. Acai berries offer up a delicious tropical berry flavor and have an exceptional nutritional profile. Acai berries contain high levels of antioxidants (polyphenols), essential fatty acids (healthy fats), amino acids, fiber, minerals (iron and calcium), vitamins (B and E), and a plethora of beneficial phytonutrients like resveratrol and anthocyanins. Acai berries also have one of the highest ORAC values of any known edible berry and 33 times more health-promoting anthocyanins than red grapes.
What benefits may I experience from Acai Max®
- Stronger Immune System
- Improved Digestion and Elimination
- Improved Mental Clarity
- Improved Energy and Endurance
- More Restful Sleep
- Cleansing and Detoxifying of your body
Acai berries are composed of these substances:
1. Amino Acids: Acai berries contain an almost perfect essential amino acid complex. Amino acids present are: tryptophan, threonine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, cystine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, valine, arginine, histidine, alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, Glycine, proline, serine, hydroxyproline (1-4% total protein). Amino Acids are vital for proper muscle contraction, regeneration, endurance, strength, sustained energy, and muscle development. Amino Acids are also used by the liver for detoxification and to form immune complexes.
2. Phytosterols: Beta Sitosterol is the primary plant sterol, also known as a phytosterol in the acai berry. Plant sterols, or phytosterols, are common components of plant foods, especially plant oils, seeds and nuts, grains, and beans. Clinical studies have confirmed the efficacy of beta-sitosterol in lowering plasma LDL levels and improving urinary symptoms related to prostate enlargement. Beta-sitosterol has also been studied in the areas of cancer treatment and prevention.
3. Antioxidants: are intimately involved in the prevention of cellular damage -- the common pathway for cancer, aging, and a variety of diseases. This pathway is caused by Free Radicals. Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms with an odd (unpaired) number of electrons and can be formed when oxygen interacts with certain molecules. Once formed, these highly reactive radicals can start a chain reaction, like dominoes. Their chief danger comes from the damage they can do when they react with important cellular components such as DNA or the cell membrane. Cells may function poorly or die if this occurs. To prevent free radical damage, the body uses a defense system of antioxidants. Common antioxidants include vitamins C and E and beta-carotene.
Absolute Acai possesses two potent antioxidants: (1) Anthocyanins and (2) Vitamin E.
Anthocyanins: Widely distributed in flowers, fruits, and vegetables, anthocyanins are a group of plant compounds called flavonoids. Flavonoids are a subclass of plant polyphenols that may have antioxidant abilities and are being studied for their anticancer potential. Currently under investigation for their ability to inhibit LDL (the "bad") cholesterol, prevent blood clotting, and defend cells against dangerous carcinogens, anthocyanins may prove significant in supporting overall vitality and human health.
The polyphenol composition of acai berries includes cyanidin 3-O-glucoside and cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside as the major anthocyanins. Acai also contains a few other trace compounds that I am sure have wonderful qualities. These are: deoxyhexose, homoorientin, isovitexin, orientin, and taxifolin.
Vitamin E: Natural vitamin E exists in eight different forms, four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. Alpha-tocopherol is the most active form of vitamin E in humans and a powerful biological antioxidant. Vitamin E and its isomers (forms) can help increase the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, neutralize singlet oxygen (free radical), increase cell membrane integrity, and reduce the risk of certain cancers, Alzheimer s disease, heart disease, cataracts, and Parkinson s disease. (Marcus Ettinger DC, BSc.)
Deficiencies of antioxidants may cause:
- Cardiovascular Disease (heart attack, stroke)
- Cancer
- Premature Aging (wrinkles, Alzheimer s)
- Degenerative Disease (arthritis)
4. Essential Fatty Acids: Acai Berries have two of the three so-called essential fatty acids (EFAs), Omega-6 (Linoleic Acid) and Omega-9 (Oleic Acid). They are essential because the body cannot manufacture them on its own; EFAs must be consumed through food. The overall quality of our health and life is directly proportional to the levels of EFAs in our bodies (Dr. E). The EFA profile of the Acai berry closely resembles that of olive oil. Olive oil has been linked to the low incidence of cardiovascular disease (lowering cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL levels) and cancer in those consuming the Mediterranean Diet.
Deficiencies of EFAs can cause:
- Eczema-like skin eruptions
- Loss of hair
- Liver degeneration
- Behavioral disturbances
- Kidney degeneration
- Excessive sweating accompanied by thirst
- Drying up of glands
- Susceptibility to infections
- Failure of wound healing
- Sterility in males
- Miscarriage in females
- Arthritis-like conditions
- Heart and circulatory problems
- Growth retardation
- Motor coordination
5. Minerals: Acai berries contain a variety of minerals such as calcium, iron, and phosphorus, along with trace minerals such as chromium, cobalt, copper, and molybdenum.
Dietary minerals are the chemical elements living organisms require, other than the four elements Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and carbon, which are ubiquitous in organic molecules. Sustaining appropriate intake levels of each dietary mineral is necessary to maintain physical health.
- Calcium is an important component of a healthy diet. A deficit can affect bone and teeth formation. Vitamin D is needed to absorb calcium.
- Iron is essential to all organisms, except for a few bacteria. Iron is the primary component in the (heme complex) portion of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying fraction of blood.
- Phosphorus is a key element in all known life forms. Inorganic phosphorus, in the form of phosphate (PO43-), plays a major role in biological molecules such as DNA and RNA, where it forms part of their structural backbone. Living cells also utilize phosphate to transport cellular energy via adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Nearly every energy-requiring cellular process uses ATP.
- Chromium is required in trace amounts for sugar metabolism in humans, and its deficiency can possibly predispose an individual to develop type II diabetes.
- Cobalt is a central component of the vitamin cobalamin, or vitamin B-12. A deficiency can lead to a specific type of anemia called pernicious anemia. It is most often seen in alcoholics.
- Copper is essential in all higher plants and animals. Copper is found in a variety of enzymes, including the copper centers of cytochrome-c oxidase and the potent antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase.
- Molybdenum is an essential trace element that plays an important role in many enzymatic reactions. In humans, the active biological form of molybdenum is the molybdenum cofactor (Moco). Moco is a cofactor in four human enzymes: xanthine dehydrogenase, xanthine oxidase, sulfite oxidase, and aldehyde oxidase.
