




Acai berry supplements are the latest and greatest discovery in the health foods industry. Naturally potent in antioxidants, acai berries topped the list as the #1 recommended superfood of Dr. Nicholas Perricone, a leading researcher on the subject of anti-aging and weight loss.
Acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) is the nutritious and powerful berry of a special palm tree in the Amazon. In spite of its small size, it is packed with tremendous nutritional benefits. According to researchers, it could help you live longer and healthier, protecting your heart, warding off cancer and even preventing Alzheimer's disease. Not only that, but many people, celebrities included, have used the berries as an integral part of a weight loss regimen. With a taste that has been described as "a mixture of red wine and chocolate," what more could you want?
When comparing different acai berry supplements, you'll want to look for those that are freeze dried, as they are the highest available quality on the market. Supplements made from the dried acai berry powder have much higher levels of antioxidants and nutrients.
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A few of the more popular ways to reap the benefits of acai are via capsules or juice. You may be wondering what the advantages and disadvantages are of each form.
In our opinion, acai berry pills offer a number of advantages over acai juice. First, there is the obvious convenience factor: it is far easier to take a pill anywhere and any time than to drink a juice.
More importantly, the capsules are a purer form of acai, retaining more of the important health benefits that acai is known for. Studies have shown that the antioxidant levels of an acai juice are far lower than what are naturally found in the fruit. CHOICE, an independent consumer organization in Australia, found that the acai juice it tested contained only 31% of the TAC (Total Antioxidant Capacity) of a red delicious apple. Contrast this to the pure acai extract which has been measured by the USDA to contain over 24 times the TAC of the same apple!
Studies by the USDA show that the acai berry is an incredibly rich source of antioxidants, which are known to help fight disease and premature aging, with more than 3 times the antioxidants of any other fruit or vegetable, and more than ten times the antioxidants of red grapes and wine.
The acai berry is also rich in omega 6 and 9 fatty acids, which help your metabolism and can also help lower cholesterol levels. Essential fatty acids need to be acquired through our diet, since the body is unable to produce them naturally for itself.
Acai is a good source of amino acids, protein compounds that are, essentially, the basic building blocks of the body's cells and tissues. They are also vital for energy. The acai berry's high protein content makes it an attractive supplement for athletes and their trainers.
The acai berry is also packed with dietary fiber, complex carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Its high overall nutritional value indeed makes it a truly worthy of its superfood moniker.