Euterpe oleracea or acai berry has a pleasant taste, and it is also one of the most useful in nature. "Amazon gold" (as the fruit is sometimes called) is rich in antioxidants, which helps the plant fight a variety of diseases, and its pulp rejuvenates and promotes health.

What is acai

Brazilian acai palm or Euterpe vegetable has long been a source of food for the Amazonian natives. The taste of the palm fruit is reminiscent of red wine with a fruity aroma and hints of chocolate. Found in the rainforests of South America, the berry has antioxidant, immune-boosting, anti-aging, energy-replenishing properties. It is a fruit of deep purple color, slightly smaller than a grape. The skin of the berry is much richer in amino acids and vitamins than cranberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries or blueberries.

Useful properties of acai berries

People use the fruits of Euterpe to treat a variety of diseases, including atherosclerosis, arrhythmias. However, doctors are still arguing about the pros and cons of such use. By following the measure, you can count on the following beneficial features acai berries:

• helps to improve the work of the heart;
• resists harmful organisms;
• helps to normalize metabolism;
• rejuvenates the skin;
• promotes good digestion;
• reduces emotional irritation;
• strengthens the immune system;
• improves cellular structure;
• helps to activate mental activity;
• supports libido.

Berry-based cosmetics may contain beneficial substances such as omega fatty acids, which support cellular structure. The composition of acai oil includes phytosterols, a group of vitamins B, also E, C, phosphorus, calcium, potassium. The fruit is rich in anthocyanins and phenols, which are powerful antioxidants. All this helps to rejuvenate and heal the skin, fight the formation of cancer cells. Research shows that a large number of anthocyanins in acai skin is 10-35 times higher than the content of these substances in red grapes.

Main advantages:

• moisturizes, softens the skin;
• restores elasticity;
• rejuvenates, improves elasticity;
• has an anti-inflammatory effect;
• has antibacterial properties;
• protects the skin from free radicals.

Indications for using the product:

• mature, aging skin;
• damaged hair;
• dry, cracked skin;
• acne
• eczema, psoriasis and other diseases of the epidermis;
• muscle pain, swelling.

Acai Powder

Acai berry is a unique type of berry that grows on palm trees in equatorial Brazil. Their powder is rich in nutrients, but not too palatable. It's sold in capsule or drink form, so it's easy to mix with smoothies, fruits, or vegetables. The product is manufactured using lyophilization processes. Drying destroys some beneficial minerals and natural plant compounds, but acai powder provides the body with fiber, calcium, iron, and vitamin E.

Advantages:

• increases the level of antioxidants;
• supports the immune system;
• neutralizes free radicals;
• helps the body produce energy;
• prevents the deposition of cholesterol plaques;
• favorably affects the digestive system.

The juice from the skin and pulp of an exotic fruit contains protein, fiber, calcium, iron and thiamine. The analysis of phytochemical components showed that the acai berry extract has a low sugar content, rich in unsaturated fatty acids (oleic, linoleic acid), phytosterols (beta sitosterol) and dietary fiber. Regular consumption of juice causes an increase in activity, saturates the body with antioxidants. However, the extract has contraindications:

• allergic reactions to the fruits of Euterpe and pollen (the skin may become red, spots appear);
• pregnancy;
• lactation;
• taking medications.

Are exotic acai berries really healthy? Around these fruits there is a lot of talk that vying with each other testifies to their unusual properties. Anything exotic is questionable. What can be said about Acai? Let's figure it out. Perhaps this is exactly what you were looking for.

What are these fruits? Euterpe palm

The second name is Euterpe vegetable. Ripe fruits are harvested from the Brazilian Acai palm, on the branches of which the berries grow in clusters. The berries themselves do not have their own name, they are named after the name of the palm tree from which they are harvested.

The tree, when it reaches its final flowering, reaches a height of 30 meters. It is difficult to confuse the palm of the genus Euterpe with other fruit-bearing trees, since it is very remarkable, and not only due to "growth". Its branches are long, hanging down, along which several berries are "seated". At the end of the branch grows a rosette of leaves, the length of which reaches 3 meters.

Acai berries are similar in size to a technical grape variety, which often grows in many in the country. The skin color is dark purple. If you cut the fruit, a rather large bone is found, which is located in the center of the pulp. And the pulp itself is soft, light, juicy, very similar to that of grapes.

The shape of the berries is a ball, but there are also elongated varieties. Those who have tasted the fruit, evaluate it ambiguously. The fact that they externally and internally resemble grapes does not affect the taste of the pulp at all. Something similar is noted, but at the same time, acai berries remotely resemble raspberries. There are also those who "saw" shades of dark chocolate and nuts in the taste of the fruit. Here is such a combined taste.

When the harvest ends, from 20 to 26 kg of berries are harvested from one palm tree.

place of growth

Berries, as noted above, hang in large clusters from palm branches. The Acai Palm is a tree of the tropics of South and Central America. These fruits are especially known in Brazil.

"Amazon Milk" is what the Brazilians call Acai, mainly due to the fact that a large cluster of these trees grows in the Amazon Delta.

Beneficial features

Acai berries are just a godsend for maintaining health. Their chemical composition is so rich that, perhaps, it is not inferior to any type of berry. It has already been proven that fruits contain almost the same amount of protein as in cow's milk or chicken egg. According to the amount of fatty acids and Omega-3, acai berries are superior to olive oil. And also the fruits are rich in vitamins, amino acids and trace elements.

Berries are also rich in carbohydrates, so eating a few berries a day can replenish daily allowance fiber in the body. This will have a beneficial effect on the performance and activity of a person.

These fruits will also be useful for men, because their properties affect their sexual side of life. The use of berries will increase not only the libido and sensuality of a man, but also potency. There are also aphrodisiacs from acai berries on sale, which also excite the desire of women.

The benefits of the fruit don't end there. On the human body, they act both as a detox and as a drug that enhances immunity.

Acai products are also indicated for use by both diabetics and people suffering from thyroid diseases.

That's all? But no! Rejuvenation, removal of cholesterol, prevention of cancerous tumors - that's what else acai powder is capable of. If a person is prone to frequent stress and depression, then the described fruits will again come to the rescue.

Berries and the problem of losing weight did not bypass. Products based on them normalize the metabolic process, remove toxins, normalize weight, regulating appetite.

The beneficial properties of acai berries are compared by some to a panacea in the plant world. Their effectiveness has been proven.

What are the buyers saying?

Acai berries are exotic fruits, so those who encounter them for the first time may experience a lot of doubts about them. How will they affect the body? Will there be allergic rashes, addictions, etc.?

Reviews about acai berries, powders and other products based on them are mostly positive. Many testify that after the introduction of these berries into food, the internal and external condition improves. The ability to work increases, the susceptibility to infectious diseases decreases, the metabolic process normalizes. Those who take tea at night note the normalization of sleep, the absence of insomnia, the restoration of peace of mind and balance.

As for weight loss issues, the reviews are twofold. Some note that taking berries, they really managed to bring the weight back to normal, dropping the extra 3-4 kg. And some, on the contrary, did not reveal any properties for themselves. But no adverse effects were noted. Health has improved, but the weight has remained at the same level.

Who are contraindicated?

Acai berries have contraindications, but they are few. It is necessary to refuse their use for allergy sufferers with intolerance to plant pollen. And also possible skin rashes during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

When taking acai berries, you need to know the measure. Being carried away by eating them, you can not only cause allergies, but also gain excess weight, instead of losing it.

Acai berry extract

Berry juice is very useful, because its composition is enriched with protein, iron, fiber, etc. It has a low sugar content, but a lot of fatty acids and dietary fiber.

If you make it a rule to regularly drink a glass of juice, you can increase activity, reduce fatigue, and supply the body with antioxidants.

But the extract has a number of contraindications:

• pollen allergy;
• pregnancy;
• lactation period;
• taking medication.

How to use correctly?

Berries can be used in various variations. Washed fresh fruits are eaten daily for several berries. Both fresh and dry berries are used to make balms, medicines and active additives.

Juice, cocktails, smoothies, purees, desserts, etc. are also prepared. Acai is used in the same way as any other berries, there are no restrictions on their use.

Fruit based cosmetics

Acai are also involved in cosmetics. Oils based on them have a beneficial effect on the external condition. For example:

• the skin becomes soft;
• its tone and elasticity increase;
• rejuvenation occurs;
• inflammatory formations pass;
• the level of microbes on the epidermal layer decreases.

Thus, having the following problems, it is worth starting to use acai oils:

• aging skin;
• dry, brittle hair;
• peeling on the skin;
• the presence of acne;
• eczema, seborrhea;
• muscle pain;
• increased swelling.

The story of a scam

In 2010, a scandal broke out in the United States that touched on acai berries. The thing is that in 2004, a local company that produces products based on berries began promoting advertising in the US media of acai berries and juice from them, which were called miracle food. Advertising information revealed the colossal properties of berries, which were treated for many diseases and, mainly, had a positive effect on the heart. But there was no scientific evidence to support such strong words.

The Canadian Fraud Center responded to the activities of the American company. He described the production of acai berries as an "international scam".

In 2010, the Federal Trade Commission accused the manufacturer of deceiving ordinary citizens for profit that the berries supposedly cure cancer and normalize weight.

Description of acai berries. Chemical composition and the energy value. Beneficial features. Risk of abuse and recommendations for use in food. Recipes for simple and delicious meals.

The content of the article:

Acai is a palm tree of the genus Euterpe, which is common in the tropics of Central and South America. Most often, the plant is found in the mouths of rivers that flow into the Amazon. The tree can reach a height of 20-30 meters. The fruit is a small round blackish-purple berry about 25 mm. By appearance reminiscent of grapes or currants. Long branches with berries are collected in the so-called panicles, each of which has from 500 to 900 fruits. Dark blue or deep purple color of the skin indicates their maturity. Inside the fetus is a large, very hard bone surrounded by juicy pulp. Palm tree bears fruit all year round, however, the locals never pick berries during the rainy season. Harvesting usually takes place in spring and autumn.

Composition and calorie content of acai berries

The uniqueness of the acai is manifested in the balanced composition and the presence of many useful substances. The pulp of the berry contains more antioxidants than bananas and mangoes.

The calorie content of acai berries is 247 kcal per 100 grams of the edible part, of which:

• Proteins - 0.7 g;
• Fats - 0.5 g;
• Carbohydrates - 36.4 g;
• Organic acids - 0.9 g;
• Dietary fiber - 1.7 g;
• Water - 65.1 g;
• Ash - 0.3 g.

Vitamins in the composition of acai berries per 100 grams:

• Vitamin A - 6 mcg;
• Vitamin B1, thiamine - 3.6 mg;
• Vitamin B2, riboflavin - 0.05 mg;
• Vitamin B3 - 0.6 mg;
• Vitamin B5, pantothenic acid - 1.04 mg;
• Vitamin B6, pyridoxine - 0.08 mg;
• Vitamin B9 - 5 mcg;
• Vitamin C, ascorbic acid - 4 mg;
• Vitamin E, alpha tocopherol - 0.6 mg;
• Vitamin K - 0.8 mg;
• Vitamin H, biotin - 1.4 mcg;
• Vitamin PP - 0.5 mg;
• Niacin - 0.7 mg.

Macronutrients per 100 grams:

• Potassium, K - 118 mg;
• Calcium, Ca - 30 mg;
• Silicon, Si - 12 mg;
• Magnesium, Mg - 15 mg;
• Sodium, Na - 28 mg;
• Sulfur, S - 4 mg;
• Phosphorus, Ph - 6 mg;
• Chlorine, Cl - 0.03 mg.

Trace elements per 100 grams:

• Aluminum, Al - 380 mcg;
• Boron, B - 321 mcg;
• Iron, Fe - 11.2 mg;
• Iodine, I - 8 mcg;
• Cobalt, Co - 2 mcg;
• Manganese, Mn - 0.09 mg;
• Copper, Cu - 83 mcg;
• Rubidium, Rb - 112 mcg;
• Fluorine, F - 15 mcg;
• Chromium, Cr - 6 mcg;
• Zinc, Zn - 0.04 mg.

Digestible carbohydrates per 100 grams:

• Mono- and disaccharides (sugar) - 16.4 g;
• Glucose (dextrose) - 5.3 g;
• Sucrose - 0.7 g;
• Fructose - 8.2 g.

Essential amino acids per 100 grams:

• Arginine - 0.9 g;
• Valine - 0.01 g;
• Histidine - 0.03 g;
• Leucine - 0.014 g;
• Lysine - 0.016 g;
• Methionine - 0.02 g;
• Threonine - 0.03 g;
• Tryptophan - 0.04 g;
• Phenylalanine - 0.02 g.

Non-essential amino acids per 100 grams:

• Alanine - 0.015 g;
• Aspartic acid - 0.082 g;
• Glycine - 0.009 g;
• Glutamic acid - 0.06 g;
• Proline - 0.2 g;
• Serine - 0.05 g;
• Tyrosine - 0.09 g;
• Cysteine ​​- 0.018 g.

Consider the action of the most important components of acai berries:

1. Vitamin C. Accelerates the synthesis of collagen fibers, has an anti-inflammatory effect.
2. Vitamin A. It helps to accelerate the process of cell regeneration, improves the quality of newly formed tissue at the sites of damage, takes part in redox processes, and nourishes the skin.
3. Vitamin E. Reduces the healing period of lesions on the skin, accelerates the process of lightening age spots.
4. Vitamin B3 (niacin). An indispensable vitamin for the metabolism of amino acids, expands and strengthens small vessels, stimulates the formation of digestive enzymes in the liver and pancreas.
5. Omega acids. They assist in the transportation and absorption of vitamins A, E, D and K by the body, thanks to which the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases is reduced.
6. Potassium. An important component of cells and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure.
7. Manganese. A powerful antioxidant, stabilizes the level of glucose in the body, improves digestion, and helps restore cartilage tissue.
8. Zinc. The most important element in the prevention of viral and infectious diseases, is involved in the synthesis of anabolic hormones, including insulin.
9. Phosphorus. Improves muscle and brain activity, strengthens bone tissue and fights colds.
10. Calcium. It normalizes the acid-base and water balance, is indispensable in the child's diet to strengthen the unformed skeletal system.

Benefits of acai berries

Acai fruits have a positive effect on general state skin covers. Vitamin C strengthens the immune system. With moderate and balanced use, berries will fit perfectly into any diet.

Useful properties of acai are:

• Activation of brain activity. Due to the accelerated blood circulation, memory improves, concentration of attention and working capacity increase.
• Strengthening the cardiovascular system. Oleic and linoleic acids do not allow blood vessels to clog, antioxidants lower cholesterol levels, and have a protective effect on the heart.
• Normalization of the organs of vision. Vitamin C and anthocyanins contained in acai prevent the development of glaucoma, night blindness, and slow down the process of vision loss.
• Sleep improvement. The amino acids and vitamins in acai pulp affect the process associated with the production of serotonin and dopamine. And, as you know, they are responsible for good sleep. They help to relax the muscles of the body after a long day of work or intense training.
• Cosmetic properties. Protection against the appearance of wrinkles and pigmentation, berry extract relieves the skin of rashes, and the collagen produced makes it supple and smooth.
• Stabilization of hormone levels. The acceleration of the metabolic process in the human body does not allow the accumulation of fat deposits.
• Protection during pregnancy. Regular dosed consumption of berries has a positive effect on the health of the expectant mother, and antioxidants protect the embryo from mutation.
• Normalization of digestion. Berries have a positive effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, remove toxins from the body and other substances that are decay products.
• Cholesterol Reduction. Due to the action of steroids and fatty acids, the activity of the heart and blood vessels is improved. This prevents the development of coronary disease and normalizes blood pressure.
• Energy supply. Berries act on the human body better coffee and chocolate, stimulating the brain, help get rid of stress and depression, reduce fatigue, and have a positive effect on the psyche.
• Recovery of the body. Wounded areas of the epithelium are disinfected, the regeneration process after surgery and serious illnesses is accelerated, and an analgesic effect is manifested.
• Anti-inflammatory action. With the use of acai, immunity is strengthened, and bacterial infections are cured.

Contraindications for acai berries

Acai berries should be introduced into your diet gradually and only in limited quantities. Overeating leads to serious disorders in the body and causes malaise.

The consequences of the abuse of berries:

1. allergic reactions. Without taking into account individual intolerance, you should not add berries to your daily menu, this causes a rash, redness, loss of appetite, nausea, dizziness, fever.
2. Anaphylactic shock. Weakness, rash on the skin and mucous membranes in the form of blisters, anxiety, discomfort, spasms of the facial muscles, blurred vision.
3. Intoxication. High body temperature, painful sensations in the muscles, diarrhea and vomiting, loss of consciousness, insomnia, changes in body weight, problems with the intestines.
4. Muscle pain. Violation and slowdown of metabolic processes in bone tissues and cartilage, inflammation of muscle fibers.
5. Hormonal disbalance. Sudden changes in body weight, sleep disturbance, increased fatigue, intense hair loss, irritability.

Absolute contraindications to acai berries:

• stomach ulcer. The combination of vitamins and trace elements contained in acai berries can have a negative effect on the mucous membranes of the stomach and duodenum.
• Individual intolerance. Some components in the pulp of berries can cause allergic reactions of a different nature.
• Hepatitis. Stretching of the liver lining, aches all over the body, slowing down the process of processing bilirubin in the liver.

Before consuming acai berries, you should seek the advice of a specialist to determine if the product will harm your body.

Acai berry recipes

Fresh berries make a great snack. They also make a huge variety of dishes. The fruits will be an excellent filling for baking, an indispensable ingredient for unusual sauces, as well as an additive to cocktails.

Recipes with acai berries

1. summer jam. Rinse acai berries, currants and plums thoroughly, remove stones and mix with sugar in a large bowl, leaving overnight in a cold place. The next morning, carefully move the berries with sugar and set aside again for 1 hour. After time, add 2-3 tablespoons to them lemon juice and stir. Grind the berries through a sieve into a large bowl and add 500 ml of purified water. Begin to boil the berry mixture over low heat until all the sugar is completely dissolved. Then bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and pour a small amount of jam in a saucer to test. If the chilled jam is not too runny, it is ready. Otherwise, it should continue to boil, it may take another 5-10 minutes. Repeat the jam check in the saucer and set the pan off the heat to cool. Fill pre-sterilized jars with cooled jam. In a dark, cool place, it can be stored from 6 months to a year.
2. Berry cakes for tea. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Sift flour and baking powder into a bowl, then add 250 grams of butter and mix the ingredients until the mixture turns into crumbs. Add 3 tablespoons of sugar, a handful of acai berries and a glass of orange juice. Stir gradually until everything is thoroughly combined. If the dough is not elastic enough, add 1-2 more tablespoons of orange juice. When ready, put it on a baking sheet, pre-greased butter. Bake in preheated oven for 30-45 minutes until light brown. After baking, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool without removing it from the aluminum baking dish. For better taste cook such berry cakes in the evening to serve with breakfast.
3. Tartlet with meringue. Preheat oven to 190°C. Pour a handful of acai berries and red currants into a saucepan with sugar and water. Lightly grind the berries with sugar and cook for 5 minutes. Roll out a thin layer of dough to cover the forms for future tartlets. Use molds that are 9 cm wide and 2.5 cm deep. Spread the batter over the surface and pierce the sides and bottom with a fork several times before placing in the oven. Bake for 10 minutes until light golden brown. Remove the pastry molds from the oven and set aside to cool. Reduce oven temperature to 160°C. Meanwhile, make the meringue. Whisk egg whites in the bowl until they turn into a thick foam, and then gradually add to them powdered sugar to make meringue. Fill the cooled cakes with the berry mixture, evenly distributing the filling. Spoon the meringue onto the top of the tartlet, swirling it around to completely cover the fruit. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the meringue is golden brown. Serve warm or cold.
4. South American pudding. Place the blueberries, cherries, acai and sugar in a saucepan with 3 tablespoons of water. Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has melted and the fruit has thickened. Add the currants and carefully cover, simmering for 2 more minutes, until the fruit is completely softened. Remove from heat and let cool. Pour fruit into a colander set over a bowl. Leave for 5 minutes for the juice to accumulate in the container. Cut off the crusts of the bread slices, leaving only the bread pulp. Put slices of bread on the bottom of the mold and pour a small layer of berry syrup on top of them. Repeat these steps so that several layers are formed in the form, well soaked in berry syrup. Pour the remaining syrup over the prepared layers and add 250 ml of orange juice. Top with pieces of fruit that remained in the colander. Cover the form with half-finished pudding cling film and leave overnight, covering the top with another plate. Before serving, remove the film from the mold, and then quickly invert the pudding onto a plate.
5. mint sorbet. Make syrup by stirring 5-6 tablespoons of sugar in boiling water until completely dissolved, then add a couple of sprigs of mint and continue to cook. Rinse the acai berries thoroughly and remove the pits. Add the peeled pulp to the syrup and cook until completely softened. This may take up to 10 minutes. Strain the resulting mixture into a container through a sieve to get rid of the peel. Add 2 tablespoons lemon juice and cool to room temperature. Then pour the sorbet blank into a container and send it to the freezer for 2-3 hours. Serve the finished sorbet with mint leaves and fresh berries.

Indians from the Caboclo tribe eat not only the fruits of the palm tree, but also the core of the tree.

In Brazil, locals call acai berries for their properties "the fountain of youth" and "Amazonian Viagra".

From strong branches and palm leaves, fishermen build special nets and traps for catching fish and animals.

Based on the pulp and juice of acai berries, scientists have created dietary supplements for weight loss, but they should be used with extreme caution.

Oil made from seeds and juice is used in Mexico as a means of preventing malaria. This substance is also used in cosmetology.

Watch a video about acai berries:

Acai berries are considered unique for a reason. Their pulp is rich in vitamins and useful trace elements. At correct use and eating acai fruit will not bring any harm to your body.

You don't feel like or don't have time to spend cooking vitamin salads, and drinking vitamins bought at the pharmacy is not at all interesting. It would be great if scientists discovered a fruit, vegetable or berry, after eating which you can immediately stock up on a “full set” of useful substances!

But such a plant exists, or rather, a tree. This is the Açaiseiro palm, which grows in the forests of Brazil, in the Amazon Delta. Its fruits (berries) are called açai. They are the same “miracle multivitamin”, which has no analogues in its rich composition.

Acai: black "milk of the Amazon"

Acai berries contain ALL known vitamins, micro- and macroelements, fats, proteins, carbohydrates and amino acids inherent in plant products. V dietary fiber rare berries contain a huge number of components (about 3000)!

Outwardly, the berries resemble blueberries - they are round, black-purple and shiny. Inside is a large bone. The taste of acai is peculiar: something between blueberries and blackberries. The aftertaste is even more interesting - chocolate and nutty notes are clearly felt in it, with a barely noticeable saltiness. A specific feature of the berries is that they retain their beneficial properties for 5 hours from the moment of collection. If during this time they are not processed, the amount of useful elements in them decreases by about 70-80%. In addition, acai berries are very delicate and their collection requires special care.

Berries for health, beauty and something else…

Amazing berries are a great natural antioxidant, which does not exist. They prevent the occurrence of tumors, inhibit the development of cancer cells and, over time, completely destroy them.

Asai is a real “elixir of youth”. They slow down the aging process in the body and rejuvenate it at the cellular level. Acai is very useful for people with metabolic disorders. By normalizing it, they thereby accelerate the burning of fats and help get rid of extra pounds. Berries prevent the formation of "bad" cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels and improve the production of "useful".

They normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract, help to fully absorb food and remove toxins from the body. Brazilian palm berries improve blood circulation, help with atherosclerosis, arrhythmia and coronary disease. This is an excellent tonic that can replace coffee, tea and energy drinks. With the help of berries, you can increase the body's endurance to stress, strengthen the psyche and get rid of the consequences of nervous exhaustion.

Acai berries are indispensable in the beauty industry. Here, oils, balms, masks, creams, cosmetic milk are most often used. These products improve the condition of the skin, hair and nails. Even with some skin diseases successfully fight with the help of acai juice or preparations based on them!

The introduction of acai berries into the diet helps to normalize blood pressure, lower blood sugar levels and improve the quality of life. Finally, acai is a mild aphrodisiac and helps fight impotence and frigidity.

Contraindications

Contraindications to the use of acai have not yet been found. Nevertheless, individual intolerance is an unpredictable thing. Therefore, introduce acai into the diet gradually and in small doses. They should not be abused either: in large quantities, even the most safe products. And acai berries can negatively affect the heart, kidneys and liver, cause acid-base imbalance and increase blood sugar levels.

How do you eat this?

Most often, juices and a variety of drinks, including energy drinks, are prepared from acai berries. But as studies have shown, in the process of processing, no more than 10% of useful substances remain in the fruits. Nevertheless, this is also a lot and quite enough for preventive purposes, increasing immunity and general strengthening of the body.

In fruits dried in the sun, 45% of valuable elements remain. If spray-drying was used, you will get even less - only 30% of the original amount of vitamins, macro- and microelements. Although we repeat - this is quite (!) Enough for a more or less healthy person.

V medicinal purposes it is best to use fruits that have undergone freeze-drying (vacuum) drying. In the berries processed in this way, absolutely all the healing properties are preserved.

Application and recipes

Fresh and dry acai fruits are used to prepare medicinal balms, medicines and dietary supplements. They are widely used in cooking. On the basis of berries and juices, cocktails, mashed potatoes, ice cream, smoothies, creams, all kinds of desserts and sweets are prepared.

If you managed to get açai, you can use our recipes and treat yourself, your loved ones and friends to a rather expensive, but extremely healthy and tasty exotic delicacy!

Acai cocktail

You will need:

• about 4 tsp. sublimated pulp of berries: for this, you can buy acai in capsules or grind dry berries on a coffee grinder yourself;
• 1 banana;
• 1 glass fresh homemade milk(bold);
• 1 tsp honey (honey can be replaced with 1 tablespoon of any syrup).

Grind a banana in a blender, add acai powder, honey or syrup and mix again. Then add milk and mix thoroughly again. The finished cocktail is served in a glass. You can decorate it with fresh mint leaves.

Acai ice cream

Starting products:

• 1 st. l. acai powder;
• 2 bananas;
• 4-5 pcs. large pitted prunes;
• 1 st. l. cocoa (with a slide);
• 3 art. l. any syrup of your choice;
• 0.5 tsp lemon juice;
• 1/2 pod of vinyl (can be replaced with a bag of vanilla sugar);
• salt (preferably sea) on the tip of a knife.

Prunes are soaked in water for half an hour, vanilla is ground in a coffee grinder, and bananas are cut into cubes, put in a bag and sent to the freezer for 3-4 hours.

The swollen prunes are squeezed well and chopped in a blender, then bananas are added to it and chopped again. Then spread the rest of the components and beat well again in a blender.

The finished mass is transferred to the ice cream maker and prepared as indicated in the instructions. If you don’t have an ice cream maker, put the mass in an enamel bowl and put it in the freezer. During the freezing process, stir the ice cream every 20 minutes - this way it will acquire an even consistency.

Bon appetit and don't get sick!

Acai berries are dark purple fruits of the palm tree. Euterpe oleracea growing in Central and South America. Harvested twice a year, but storage and transportation are difficult. This grape-like berry with large seeds spoils quickly, so it comes to us in the form of nutritional supplements.

Acai palm fruits are valued primarily for their antioxidant and dietary properties. They are rich in flavonoids and anthocyanins, which form a reliable shield against free radicals and diseases caused by these molecules, such as cancer and heart disease.

As for the use of acai berries for weight loss, serious scientific research on this topic has not been conducted and, perhaps, the loud statements of dietary supplement manufacturers are just a cunning publicity stunt.

100 g of fruit contains 247 calories. In addition to antioxidants, acai is rich in fiber, vitamins A, C, D, K, E and group B, trace elements (calcium, manganese, potassium, copper, zinc and iron).

Other health benefits in acai berries include monounsaturated fats, fatty acids, amino acids, proteins, and carbohydrates.

What are useful

Tribes living on the banks of the Amazon discovered the beneficial properties of acai berries many centuries ago. This generous gift of nature is used locally to treat ulcers and diarrhea, microbial infections and bleeding.

The extract from the seeds is used to fight fever, and the powder from the palm roots is taken for menstrual cramps and liver problems.

But, since not all of our readers believe in the power of traditional medicine, let's turn to the properties confirmed by official medicine.

For the cardiovascular system

The high concentration of antioxidants makes this product effective in protecting the heart from damage, lowering cholesterol levels and improving blood circulation. To combat vascular plaques, acai berries have a special weapon: oleic and linoleic acids (they reduce the level of "bad" cholesterol and increase - "good"), as well as beta-sitosterol.

By the way, heart-healthy beta-sitosterol is also present in some other plant foods:, and.

Antitumor properties

The high levels of vitamin C and plant antioxidants hold promise for strong anti-cancer properties in acai fruit.

According to a Florida study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, acai berries cause cancer cells to self-destruct in 86% of cases.

Anthocyanins for good vision

Being a good source of vitamin C and anthocyanins, American palm fruits prevent glaucoma, night blindness and macular degeneration.

In retinopathy with subsequent loss of vision (a common complication in patients with diabetes) acai berries will also be useful and can slow down this process.

Sweet dreams

sexual attraction

The inhabitants of South America believe that the fruits of this palm tree increase sexual desire, so they are often called "tropical Viagra". Scientific studies confirm that acai berries have aphrodisiac properties and increase sexual stamina.

Doctors suggest that the secret of the properties just announced lies in the ability of these fruits to activate brain activity and influence the level of sex hormones in the body.

My light, mirror

There is definitely no point in doubting the unsurpassed cosmetic properties of acai berries, since today almost every third skin care manufacturer uses them in their creams and lotions.

With the external use of the berry extract, you will get excellent skin immunity, smooth and clean skin without rashes, protection from the premature appearance of wrinkles and age spots.

And regular consumption of these tropical berries will make the skin healthier and more radiant.

In addition to the already listed beneficial properties, acai berries strengthen the immune system, improve the functioning of the digestive tract (save from constipation and bloating), prevent the development of diabetes, activate the brain and nervous system, speed up metabolism, fill the body with energy, increase the endurance of the body and prevent aging ahead of time.

For conception and pregnancy

Worried about the health of your reproductive system? Acai berries normalize the level of hormones in the body and speed up the metabolism, preventing excess weight from "settling" in your body. But the absence of body fat is very important point for normal ovulation.

As for the nutrition of pregnant women, acai berries can also come in handy here. Their natural compounds will be equally useful for both the expectant mother and her baby. And plant antioxidants will protect the embryo from mutations.

Side effects

Among the properties of these berries, there is one that for some may seem more beneficial than harmful. We are talking about reducing appetite - the dream of every "dumpling". But let's not forget that there are those who are trying to gain weight. Acai berries are contraindicated for them.

In some, the fruits of the acai palm cause allergies, so acquaintance with this exotic product should begin with small portions, checking the reaction of the body.

Following the euphoria that swept the public about, it was the turn of the acai. Today, you can easily find a variety of formulations on the market: tinctures, powders, capsules, etc. And since many of the beneficial properties of acai berries are scientifically confirmed, it is likely that some of these supplements will help you improve your health. But do not expect miracles and do not believe in the existence of a magic pill.