The acai plants dark berries grow in clusters amid the thick, luscious palms of the acai tree and which are loaded with nutrients. The berries of the acai tree are small, no bigger than blueberries. The berries have a thick pulp and have a single seed. They ripen quickly on the branches so as soon as they are harvested, they have to be processed in order to keep them from spoiling.

The acai plant has been around for many thousands of years and used by the native people of the Amazon rain forest have used the fruit from the acai plant as a dietary and medicinal staple.

The fruit from the acai tree has been a staple for the people in the rain forests for a long time, but only now the rest of the world come to enjoy it as well. It has recently been crowned with the title of being the world’s number one “super food”. This is because of its amazing nutritional profile. Acai berries have a high concentration of protein, omega, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. These ingredients are all in this one little fruit and the quantity of these ingredients surpasses that of any other natural food. The most impressive fact about acai berries is that a single serving yields 30 times more antioxidants than even red grapes and blueberries, the most antioxidant-rich food after acai berries.

It is no surprise that the acai tree grows in the rainforest for the Amazon rainforest is home to more than half of the earth’s species of plants and animals. Producing approximately 20% of the earth’s oxygen, the rainforest is the perfect climate to nurture the acai plant.

The Amazon rain forest has been referred to as nature’s medicine chest because most of the pharmaceuticals that we now use are made from the contents of plants found in the rainforest. The environmental factors of the rain forest, with ample moisture and sunlight, produce many nutrient-rich plants, the acai plant being one of its prizes.

For several decades scientists have been conducting Brazilian acai berry studies in order to better understand the health benefits of the little pulpy berries products the acai tree. In recent years however, acai research has increased in response to the public attention now being focused onto acai products.

Acai berries have an impressive nutritional profile. Loaded with protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, omegas and antioxidants, the dark berries from the Brazilian rain forests offer much to be studied. One of the most impressive facts about acai berries is the high concentration of antioxidants. Antioxidants are very important to human health because they fight free radicals thereby serving to boost the immune system.

Although there are many different studies currently being conducted in the field of acai berry research, one of the more interesting studies looked at the ability of the human body to absorb the antioxidants found in acai berries.

Manufactures of acai products made the assumption that because acai berries are so rich in antioxidants, the fruit is very good for human health. While this is indeed a logical assumption, it is important to take a scientific look at the possibility to make sure.

Texas scientists tested blood and urine samples every 12 hours after consumption of acai berries by their subjects. The study found “significant absorption of antioxidant anthocyanins. Further acai berry research will look at the amount of absorption and its effects on the prevention of specific diseases.

Another question that acai berry studies need to address is the serving size. The body can only absorb so much antioxidants and other nutrients at a time. Acai research will eventually be able to guide health professionals in determining how much should be taken in a given serving.

Acai berry research still has many questions to explore regarding this nutritionally packed tropical fruit. One thing were know for sure is that the nutrients in acai berries are very highly concentrated and all very beneficial to human health. Because acai berries are a natural food, we also know that there are no side effects. So while acai studies continue to search for the specific effects of acai products, we can continue to consume acai and benefit from the nutritional supplement it provides our diets.

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