The Health Bulletin

By now practically everyone who is interested in good nutritional health has heard of the acai berry. This small berry, which comes from acai palm trees found in tropical regions of South and Central America, is being touted as the world’s most potent super food, usually consumed in the form of an acai berry juice ‘cocktail’ or supplement.

Claims of its health benefits range from curing some forms of cancer, to improving sexual performance, to lending a huge boost to one’s natural weight loss regime. So what is the truth about acai berry benefits?

Acai berries are commonly used by people living in the rain forests where they grow as an ingredient in traditional medicines. Because the seeds of this grape-sized berry are large compared to the amount of flesh it carries, they are not typically eaten as a fruit right off the tree. The berries are ground to remove the pulp, which is made into a type of wine. Acai juice, or wine, is consumed both to ward off illness and disease and to treat those who are already ill.

Scientists have learned that the berry does have some amazing properties. The acai berry has high levels of antioxidants, compounds known to help reduce the likelihood of getting some cancers. In fact, acai berries have been shown to contain as much as 30 times the amount of antioxidants as red wine.

Acai berry benefits also include a rich portion of Omega fatty acids, nutrients proven to help regulate cholesterol levels, thus contributing to greater heart health. For its size, the acai berry contains an impressive range of vitamins and minerals including potassium, calcium, phosphorous, plus B, C and E vitamins.

So what about the claim that one of the acai berry benefits is an improved sex life? While there are as yet no identified aphrodisiac properties to the berry, the nutritional punch it offers appears to contribute to overall health and vitality, which is where many think the enhanced sexual performance comes from.

Since these berries are not available in our supermarkets, acai berry juice and supplements are the only way to obtain them for now. When purchasing acai products, ensure that you are getting a high concentration of the berry and not a lot of fillers, so that you may experience the true acai berry benefits for yourself.