Healthcare, Health Insurance, Vitamins, Nutrition

Do you want to look younger? Improve your overall health? Stop looking in the cosmetic department and start looking toward the Brazilian rainforest. No worries! You do not have to travel to this remote region to benefit from the latest scientific discovery: The Amazing Acai Berry!

To the natives in the region, acai (pronounced Ah-SIGH-ee) berries are nothing new. They have known about the amazing benefits of this beautiful purple berry that grows on a palm tree for centuries.

According to folklore, the daughter of an Amazon Indian tribal chief is responsible for acai berries. Tragically, the chief had to order that all newborn babies be killed because there was not enough food to feed his growing tribe. His daughter, Iaca, was not spared this decree and her baby was the first to be killed.

Desperate and incredibly sad, Iaca mourned her child for days, weeping in her hut. Finally, she heard the cries of a newborn in the forest and raced to find what she hoped was her precious child. What she found was a palm tree that bore bright purple berries. She lay down at the base of the palm tree and died.

When the villagers discovered her, they also discovered the palm, which bore berries plentiful enough to feed and sustain the entire village. The tribal chief was able to lift the decree and named the berries Acai berries after his dead 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.

Anthocyanin is the super antioxidant that gives the acai berry its gorgeous royal purple color. It is also known for its ability to slow or stop tumor growth in laboratory studies. Though all antioxidants are capable of fighting free radicals and the damage they incur thus preventing cancer, anthocyanin is more powerful than most.

Because free radicals are also responsible for the aging process, acai berries are also great for preventing premature aging and slowing the biological clock.

Essential amino acids are important for tissue structure. Though only animal protein contains a complete blend of essential amino acids, it also contains dangerous saturated fat. Acai berries contain a nearly complete blend of essential amino acids making them fabulous for maintaining tissue structure (i.e. collagen in skin cells).

Speaking of fat, acai berries contain good fat called omega 3 fatty acids, which are capable of lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) and raising good cholesterol (HDL). You may have heard of omega 3 fatty acids in regard to the benefits of eating fish or taking fish oil supplements.

Acai berries are simply the most remarkable fruit that we know about at this time. Acai berries can slow the aging process, prevent disease and simply improve your overall health! They are delicious and fantastic for smoothies. They are also available in other forms such as supplements and powder.

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