Acai Berry Research

Acai Berry research has led to some wonderful discoveries since Dr. Perricone named Acai Berries as one of the 10 essential super foods. Acai berry, which grows on the palm species Euterpe oleracea in bunches of 700-900 fruits, is available fresh only in its native Amazon Rainforest. Because the fruit is extremely perishable, it is only available in the United States in juice or powder (derived from freeze or spray dried acai berry) form.

Acai Berry research was initially conducted by the Texas AgriLife. Their research scientists learned that the Acai Berry(ah-sigh-EE has the ability to be absorbed in the human body and not simply eliminated as waste. This finding was recently published in an issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. The research states that the Brazilian Acai Berry absorbed much better than any other fruit or food because of its high content of antioxidants. Because of this great benefit, the Acai Berry is heavily marketed in the U.S. as a health food. Principal investigator Dr. Susanne Talcott said "Acai is naturally low in sugar, and the flavor is described as a mixture of red wine and chocolate, so what more would you want from a fruit?" Talcott, who also is assistant professor with the Texas A&M Universitys nutrition and food science department, said that previous studies have shown the ability of the human body to absorb target antioxidants (from other produce), but "no one had really tested to see if acai antioxidants are absorbed in humans."

Talcott and her co-researcher and husband Dr. Steve Talcott began studying the palm- berry in 2001. His first scientific report on Acai, apparently the first such study in English, was published in 2004. Initial Acai Berry research was done to examine the antioxidant and nutritional values of the pulp and juice, with later studies focused mainly on the benefits of Acai Berry in fighting cancer. Since the benefits of fighting cancer was found, the researchers then decided to find out whether those elements were actually being absorbed into the human body or being eliminated unused as waste. Says Steve Talcott, "Like vitamin C, the body can only absorb so much at a time!

The Acai Berry has some of the most powerful antioxidant properties of any food, 10 times that of grapes and twice that of blueberries. Acai berries have high amounts of oleic acid, palmitic acid and lioleic acid. These wonderful oils have proven to be vital to brain, joint and skin health. Ongoing Acai Berry research has shown early results favorable in the berries' ability to combat arthritis, fatigue, insomnia and seizures.

Acai Berry Studies

Research on the acai berry is somewhat limited in comparison to its counterparts, mainly because of the environment it grows in. In the first acai berry research involving people, the acai berry has proven its ability to be absorbed in the human body when consumed both as juice and pulp. That finding, by a team of Texas AgriLife Research scientists, was published in a recent issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Showing the berrys absorption in humans is important because it is known to contain numerous antioxidants.

Here are some results from Acai Berry research

• The acai berry has more or less similar amounts of protein as an egg
• Acai berries have 16 identified antioxidants and phytonutrients with another 70 compounds yet to be identified
• 19 Amino Acids have been identified in the Acai Berry
• ORAC ( Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity): identified as the highest scalable antioxidants value of any known berry on earth
• 20-30 times more Anthocynanins per volume in Acai Berry juice than that of red wine

Acai Berry Research Shows Leukemia Cells Being Destroyed

A study was conducted in the University of Florida; the results of the study were published in Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. It was explained that extract of Acai Berry causes a self-destructive reaction in more than 85 % of tested leukemia cells. An assistant Professor at University of Florida, Stephen Talcott contradicted the results of the study. He said that it was a cell culture model and there is no evidence that Acai Berry would work well in preventing leukemia of human beings. The fact that the study was done on a cell culture model still provides promising evidence about the efficiency and usefulness of antioxidants found within the Acai Berry. The University of Florida then funded more studies to prove the effects of antioxidants of Acai Berry in humans.

Acai berries encourage healthy metabolism and regular use of Acai Berry can help cut cravings to aid in diet and weight loss. Researchers have discovered that Acai berries have a very high level of antioxidants. Cell-damaging free radicals are present in our atmosphere and are difficult to avoid. Research shows that Acai berries can be helpful in slowing down the oxidation process, encouraging cells to heal more rapidly. This can effectively slow down the aging process and is particularly helpful to brain and skin health.

An antioxidant-rich diet can lead to better mental acuity, memory and focus. Including Acai berries into your diet will help insure that you are getting plenty of healthy antioxidants into your blood stream.

Research has shown that plant pigments like anthocyanins are potent antioxidants. The cardiovascular benefits are the most well known; studies show that anthocyanins can help prevent blood clots, improve blood circulation, relax blood vessels, and prevent arthrosclerosis. But scientists have also uncovered a whole host of other powerful effects from anthocyanins, including antiviral and antiallergenic properties. Some research even suggests that anthocyanins can prevent cancer, by blocking carcinogenesis on a molecular level and encouraging tumor cell death.

Essential fatty acids have proven just as powerful. Oleic acid, a monounsaturated omega-9 acid, and linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated omega-6 acid, help lower LDL, and maintain healthy HDL levels. They also increase the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins A, E, D, and K, which are essential to good health. Research has even suggested that oleic acid may prevent against cancer and hypertension. Bottom line is that Acai Berry research has shown us that Acai berries can be a healthy addition to anyone's diet!

Acai Berry Reviews