The acai berry is a purplish grape-like fruit from South and Central American acai palms. Acai products have become increasingly popular as people have sought to include the new “super food” in daily life. Local health food stores and gourmet groceries stock various acai berry juices and blends as well as supplements, jellies, and freeze dried fruit products. Acai has been utilized for years by native people for nutrition and in numerous medicinal treatments. Recently the product has become internationally popular in health products, cosmetics and cooking as well.
From a medicinal standpoint, various forms of acai have been historically used in folk medicine to treat fever, flu, and even diarrhea. As with other blue hued fruits, modern research indicates that acai berries contain anthocyanins and flavendoids which are both strong antioxidants believed to be useful in the prevention of diseases such as heart disease and cancer as well as offering anti-aging defenses. While some manufacturers claim that acai products are beneficial in weight loss and energy production, research in these areas is still limited. It should be noted; however, that acai produces a high fiber fruit and such fruits are considered essential to healthy diets which often yield positive weight loss and health results.
Antioxidants have received much praise in anti-aging skin products. Because acai has been shown to hold these antioxidant properties, the oil of the acai is included often in cosmetics. Unlike other tropical oils frequently used in bath and beauty products, acai oils retain higher antioxidant levels when stored.
As mentioned, the people living in the Amazon region have often relied on acai for nourishment. With commercial production and product exports of recent years, people throughout the world have discovered culinary uses for the berries. From purees and sauces to liqueurs, products of the acai have found a way onto many tables. Commercial jellies, ice creams and freeze dried products have also allowed many to enjoy the highly perishable fruit outside the native area.
Whether you use the berry for its medicinal properties, cosmetic qualities or as a fruit derivative, the acai berry has a number of popular uses. As the popularity increases, products continue to become more widely available and varied to appeal to modern consumers.
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