Like many of the other superfruits, the acai tree is native to hot, humid and tropical climates like those found in Central America, South America and Brazil. The purple berry that it produces has a berry-chocolate flavor to it. The inside of the palm, the soft part know as the heart of palm has been used in salads, eaten alone and in other dishes.
The Caboclo population in the Amazon region use the whole acai palm, mostly as part of their staple foods. It is used for many different things in the Brazilian culture, however. They use just about every part of the palm. Naturally, the acai fruit is eaten. The hearts are harvested and eaten, and the leaves are harvested and used hats, brooms, baskets, thatch for roofing, and mats. The trunk of the trees, which is very resistant to pests, is used in construction of homes and other buildings.
You've seen it on many infomercials and talk shows. The berry is claimed to have many properties that the health food buff or dieter needs. They claim it can energize you by boosting your metabolism. However, to the natives where this tree grows, their concern was using it as a staple food and other uses, since they found they could use the whole tree. They have taught its use to their children, passed down from one generation to the next.
Since the media has started promoting the berry and its juice from this tree, the farming of acai has enabled natives to create a financially richer life. What used to be a staple food for them is now a means of living. They use what they need of the tree, plant more, farm them, harvest them, and then sell them to exporters and diet food companies. The juice is very popular in Brazil. You can drink it sweet or salty, whichever you prefer. They are also now selling it in freeze dried and powder form for exporting abroad. This is one of those plants that is functional in many areas. None of it goes to waste. Now that they are farming it, the seeds are more important than ever. After they plant the seeds, it only takes a couple months for seedlings to sprout. This is considered a short time under good conditions. Any left over seeds can be ground and used in the feeding of farm animals and in enriching the soil around plants.
A couple of recent lab studies have indicated that the level of antioxidants once advertised for this berry is not as high as it was first stated. They had claimed it as being among the very highest in antioxidants, however the studies they have been performing lately in comparison to other fruits and juices, shows this berry as coming up short of the peak. It may not have as high a level of antioxidants when compared to several frozen fruit juices, red wine, strawberries, mangos, blueberries, dark-colored grapes and pomegranates. If they are correct, acai may only run on an even keel with cherries and cranberries, but is still higher in antioxidants than oranges and of course apple juice.
Some other studies have indicated that this berry may be a future treatment for leukemia, diabetes, heart diseases, other forms of cancer, and even high blood pressure. In fact, they are already using acai as a contrast agent during MRI's for gastrointestinal scans. The acai berry still packs quite a beneficial punch, no matter what the latest reports claim.
The Caboclo population in the Amazon region use the whole acai palm, mostly as part of their staple foods. It is used for many different things in the Brazilian culture, however. They use just about every part of the palm. Naturally, the acai fruit is eaten. The hearts are harvested and eaten, and the leaves are harvested and used hats, brooms, baskets, thatch for roofing, and mats. The trunk of the trees, which is very resistant to pests, is used in construction of homes and other buildings.
You've seen it on many infomercials and talk shows. The berry is claimed to have many properties that the health food buff or dieter needs. They claim it can energize you by boosting your metabolism. However, to the natives where this tree grows, their concern was using it as a staple food and other uses, since they found they could use the whole tree. They have taught its use to their children, passed down from one generation to the next.
Since the media has started promoting the berry and its juice from this tree, the farming of acai has enabled natives to create a financially richer life. What used to be a staple food for them is now a means of living. They use what they need of the tree, plant more, farm them, harvest them, and then sell them to exporters and diet food companies. The juice is very popular in Brazil. You can drink it sweet or salty, whichever you prefer. They are also now selling it in freeze dried and powder form for exporting abroad. This is one of those plants that is functional in many areas. None of it goes to waste. Now that they are farming it, the seeds are more important than ever. After they plant the seeds, it only takes a couple months for seedlings to sprout. This is considered a short time under good conditions. Any left over seeds can be ground and used in the feeding of farm animals and in enriching the soil around plants.
A couple of recent lab studies have indicated that the level of antioxidants once advertised for this berry is not as high as it was first stated. They had claimed it as being among the very highest in antioxidants, however the studies they have been performing lately in comparison to other fruits and juices, shows this berry as coming up short of the peak. It may not have as high a level of antioxidants when compared to several frozen fruit juices, red wine, strawberries, mangos, blueberries, dark-colored grapes and pomegranates. If they are correct, acai may only run on an even keel with cherries and cranberries, but is still higher in antioxidants than oranges and of course apple juice.
Some other studies have indicated that this berry may be a future treatment for leukemia, diabetes, heart diseases, other forms of cancer, and even high blood pressure. In fact, they are already using acai as a contrast agent during MRI's for gastrointestinal scans. The acai berry still packs quite a beneficial punch, no matter what the latest reports claim.
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