Weight Loss Fads - Part 2 - What Are Acai Berries?

<< Part 1 - Reason Behind the Research <<

If you haven’t heard of acai berries before then you’ve been blind to a lot of advertising lately, which is probably a good thing. But since you’re reading this article, I’m sure you’re just as curious about these berries as I am.

Why has this mysterious berry been talked about so much lately? Why is it showing up in so many products? Whoever grows these berries must be making a fortune these days.

But here’s the real question: What are acai berries?

What Are Acai Berries?

For starters, let’s make sure that you’re pronouncing it correctly: it’s ah-sigh-EE. I know that I wasn’t pronouncing it the right way when I first read the word.

Acai berries are small (about an inch in diameter), round fruit that have a very large seed in the center of them. So large that the berry is actually about 80% to 90% seed! That means a very small portion of each berry is actually edible. They are black to purple in color and remind me of blueberries at first glance.

The acai palm tree, which these berries grow on, is native to areas in Central and South America, like Brazil. They grow in very wet areas of land and will produce fruit two times a year. The berries will grow in bunches of, on average, 700 berries.

The berries have a distinct taste that’s said to be a flavor that’s a mix between berries and chocolate. Having tasted them myself, I’d say that it’s a pretty accurate description. They taste really good, which is probably why acai berries make up close to half the diet of populations in the Amazon region of Brazil.

But taste isn’t all they have to offer.

When you look at the nutritional value of acai berries, it starts to make a little more sense as to why they’re talked about so much by nutritionists.

The berries are loaded with omega fatty acids, which is a good type of fat that you want in your diet. Omega fatty acids have been shown to benefit us in ways like reducing inflammation and keeping your bones strong.

They’re very high in antioxidants; more than what is in grapes, red wine or blueberries. Antioxidants have been shown to reduce the risk of developing many diseases.

There are good amounts of amino acids, protein and fiber in acai berries too. Protein and amino acids (the building blocks of protein) are needed for many tissues in your body; namely your muscles and organs. And of course I’m sure you realize that fiber’s needed in your diet, unless you enjoy being constipated.

They even contain a good amount of vitamins and minerals like: Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, C, E, calcium, copper, magnesium, potassium and zinc. Vitamins and minerals are need to help keep your body in balance and working properly.

So they’re a fruit that tastes good and is very nutritious. Hmm, they don’t actually sound all that bad so far, do they?

Let’s move on.

>> Continue Reading Part 3 – What is Colon Cleansing? >>