| ACAI BERRY
(Euterpe oleracea) Also known as: Cabbage palm 
The sudden acai berry juice demand
is the result of many
expensive marketing campaigns by certain companies making false claims
about this 'newly discovered mysterious super fruit’ of the Amazon
which 'can increase weight loss, energy and lower cholesterol'. It has
no real special health benefits compared to other fruit juices but is
netting billions in sales through network marketing companies and
direct retail sales. Acai
berries are simply a staple food for many economically disadvantaged
inhabitants of the lower Amazon region area. The acai-manioc porridge
is quite poor in nutrition but is very filling with a large amount of
starch and sugar. Acai berry juice is neither very nutritious nor low
in calories compared to most other fruit juices and there is no proof that it can reduce either weight or bad cholesterol. Acai berries provides around 200 calories per 100 grams depending upon the preparation method. Medicinal uses In
Brazilian herbal medicine, the oil of acai is used to treat diarrhoea
and the grated fruit rind as a topical wash for skin ulcers. In the
Peruvian Amazon, the toasted crushed seeds are used for fever and the
root is used for the following health disorders.
Significant nutrients in acai berries |
