Natural Acai Berry History

If you are looking for a miracle fruit that offers optimum health, beautiful skin and radiant hair, you might have to search a bit farther than the produce department. How about the Brazilian rainforest? Not a big fan of jungle critters? No worries, this super fruit called Acai berries is now available on this side of the equator.

Though the amazing benefits of the acai (Ah-SIGH-ee) berries are just now being recognized by the outside world, the natives of the Brazilian rainforest have known about this miraculous fruit for hundreds of years.

There is a story told about the discovery of the acai berry. An Amazon Indian girl was the daughter of the tribal chief. The tribe had grown so large that they did not have enough food, and the chief was forced to create a rule that made it necessary to kill any newborn babies. He was unable to spare even his grandchild when his daughter, Iaca, gave birth.

She mourned her child to the point of hearing the cries of a baby outside her hut. She desperately searched for what she thought was her newborn baby crying for her. Instead, she found a new palm tree growing in the midst of the Amazon rainforest. Terribly heartbroken, she lay beneath the palm tree and died.

When the tribe found her, they also found the berries. The berries were so nutritious and plentiful, that the tribe never had to worry about food again. The chief banned the law and all newborns were now safe. He named the berries Acai after his daughter (acai is Iaca spelled backward).

Interesting story, but the real miracle of the amazing acai berry is what we now know about it through scientific study. The acai berry contains essential amino acids, omega 3 fatty acids and super antioxidants.

Antioxidants are all capable of fighting cancer by fighting free radicals that damage cells and are the prelude to cancer and the aging process. The super antioxidant in acai berries that gives the berries their royal purple color is called anthocyanin. This super antioxidant has been found to slow and stop the growth of tumors. Antioxidants are also necessary for repairing damaged cells and replenishing tissue.

Free radical damage is also responsible for the aging process, so acai berries are capable of fighting premature aging at the cellular level.

In addition to other powerful antioxidant, acai berries have an unusual plant characteristic. Only animal protein contains a complete source of essential amino acids, but acai berries come pretty close! This makes them an excellent source of protein without the damaging effects of saturated fat also found in animal protein.

Instead of saturated fat, acai berries contain omega 3 fatty acids, which have the remarkable ability to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise good cholesterol (HDL). Fish and fish oil supplements contain omega 3 fatty acids.

If you are searching for ways to optimize your health, prevent disease and slow the aging process, there are many ways to incorporate acai berries into your diet. There are supplements made from natural acai berry extract, powders that can be blended in smoothies and pre-made smoothies.

Make sure you do not fall prey to acai juice that is mostly corn syrup and chemicals.