Acai berries (Euterpe oleracea) are a traditional rainforest food from Brazil, the people of South America have been eating this life giving berry for hundreds of years.
The sweet juice of the berry has become quite popular in Australia and is marketed as a superfood due to the number of free radical fighting anti-oxidants present in the fruit. As well as being a good source of antioxidants they are also high in fibre and heart-healthy fats. Some manufacturers claim that products made from Acai berries can help you lose weight, lower cholesterol, fight cancer and diseases, vision improvement and gain energy.
The fruit contains antioxidants such as anthocyanins, phytosterols and flavonoids as well as omega 3 and omega 9 fatty acids, minerals such as Iron, phosphorus and calcium, proteins and B Vitamins as well as Vitamin C and E. All of these constituents are valuable for the health of the cardiovascular and immune systems.
Traditionally in Brazilian herbal medicine the oil of the fruit has been used as a treatment for diarrhoea, skin ulcers, fevers, diabetes, muscle pain, jaundice and as an anti-inflammatory. It has gained its popularity in Australia due to it being marketed as a potent anti-oxidant and as a medicinal food.
Using superfoods such as Goji, Bee Pollen, Manuka Honey or Acai are a wonderful way of improving health and using food as medicine which is encouraged by all Naturopaths. Acai berry juice may be taken straight or added to a small amount of fruit juice or into a fruit smoothie to increase the nutrient value.