Acai Juice
From LoveToKnow Herbs
Acai juice is the juice of the acai berry, a fruit that has been cultivated in many parts of South America for centuries. It became popular in other parts of the world during the late 1990s as more people became aware of its unique, healthy qualities
What is Acai?
The acai palm grows in Brazil where it reaches heights of 100 feet or more. The berries, or dupes as they are called, grow in grape-like clusters. The berries are a made up of a seed which is surrounded by dark purple pulp. This pulp is what the healthy acai juice is extracted from.
Since the acai berry does not travel well the only way to export it is freeze dried or in juice form. The juice contains a high number of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which many people believe enhances their overall health.
The acai berry has been an integral part of the diet of the Native South Americans since ancient times. Not only is it full of fiber, essential fatty acids, and calcium but it also naturally low in sugar. It is the only known fruit in the entire world to contain all of the amino acids that are found in the human body.
Another great thing about acai is that it is harvested in a responsible, sustainable manner.
Differences in Acai Products
It may seem that taking capsules or drinking the acai juice would largely be a matter of personal preference. This is incorrect. The spray drying process used to make the acai that goes into the capsules lowers the quality of the fruit, making it less potent. The potency of the pills is largely unregulated so you may not be getting the full benefit of the acai. Finally, the cold press process used for juice retains all of the nutrients found in the fresh berry.
Not all acai juices are the same. Some are pure pulp and juice while others are watered down or mixed with other fruit juices. It is important to read the labels to know exactly what you are getting.
Drinking Acai Juice
Some people describe the taste of acai juice as a combination of chocolate and berry. The texture does put some people off because of the amount of fiber in the juice. It is somewhat like a fiber drink, coarse and grainy.
Many companies add other juices, sweeteners, water or all three to the acai juice that they sell. If you are drinking the acai for refreshment then it really doesn’t matter what else is in it. If you are drinking it for the health benefits then you really should be drinking a pure acai product. In the ingredients list check to see how much acai per serving is included. In many products there will be a list of what is blended in with the juice but there will not be a measurement of the milligrams of acai per serving. Some experts say that using a juice that claims to use the whole fruit; seed, pulp and skin is not as healthful as a juice made with just the pulp and skin. This is because there are virtually no nutrients in the seed.
Where to Buy Acai
- Acai 100 uses the seed, the pulp, and the skin of the acai berry to make the juice.
- Acai Max is made with organically grown acai, pomegranate, camu camu, red raspberry, and black elderberry. These are considered some of the most potent antioxidant foods in existence.
- Perfect Acai is a pure juice made with just the skin and pulp of the acai berry.
- Bossa Nova manufactures several different acai blends.
- Amazon Thunder produces a certified organic acai product.
Acai juice may be one of the healthiest juices that you can drink. It may be the very thing that makes you feel vibrant, energized, and cures your arthritis. On the other hand, it may not. Before you spend a lot of money on the juice do some in depth research and come to your own conclusions. It could be everything it is claimed to be, and then again it could just be the fashionable cure for today.
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This page has been accessed 670 times. This page was last modified 18:06, 23 February 2009.
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