Research on the Acai Berry
August 20, 2008
Although it was not the first research performed on the acai berry of the Amazon, it was perhaps the one that jumped acai fruit into mainstream popularity. What am I talking about? Dr. Pericone’s listing of superfoods on Oprah Winfrey’s talk show which started with acai. Dr. Perricone pointed out the healthy fats contained in the small berry and the rich antioxidant levels among others that were mentioned for either preventing or reducing inflammation, regulating the metabolism which helps burn fat, lowers cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, fights heart disease and cancers, removes toxins and helps in the digestive process. Perhaps the oldest research could be mentioned with actual evidence. The natives of the Amazon regions have used the acai berry as a staple in their food supply for thousands of years, bringing them a well rounded nutritional morsel at each eating. What is more than that, these people are reported to have survived the diseases that killed so many others in surrounding areas when explorers were new to the lands. More recently, science has taken a look into just what acai has to offer and they have found much although studies are still in early stages or only small studies have been conducted. However, what is known shows very good promising effects. The French have proven that they have the lowest occurrences of heart disease even though they are prevalent smokers and consumers of highly fatty and cholesterol filled foods. The highly suspected reason that this is the case gives ownership to the large amounts of red wine consumed, which is known to contain anthocyanins. These anthocyanins are present in the acai berry at ten to thirty times the levels found in red wines. Anthocyanins are reported to be active ingredient for many of the restorative effects on the body whether in red wine or acai or other foods. The more of them in a food, the more healing they can promote of course. Too numerous to mention here are all the positive studies that have taken place in the past few years showing just how much the acai fruit can benefit us. The latest report on acai research shows hope for many individuals suffering from cancers. While not said to cure cancer, acai has shown to have the ability to possibly prevent cancers and may be able to slow the progression down in cancers. More research is needed to find conclusive evidence like most of all the other research that has been done, but it is great news for those that are hopeful. Research has also unveiled the possibility of the acai berry helping with other medical conditions such as maintaining a healthy heart or regulating the levels in blood glucose in the body. Some people that have used acai as part of their dietary intake will swear by its good effects – from a general and overall healthier feeling to more serious claims of acai helping to cure a person’s cancer. Perhaps that is enough research on its own to at least try acai in a balanced diet to see what it can do.
