Acai Berries: Benefits and Contraindications
Acai Berries: Benefits and Contraindications
Anonim

Are exotic acai berries he althy? 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 is this fruit? 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.

Açai berries are similar in size to a technical grape variety that many people often grow in their country houses. The skin color is dark purple. If acut 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.

how do acai berries grow
how do acai berries grow

Growing place

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 famous 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.

harvested berries
harvested berries

Useful properties

Açai berries are just a godsend for maintaining he alth. 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 cow's milk or a 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.

Berriesrich in carbohydrates, so eating a few berries a day can replenish the daily intake of 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.

black berries
black berries

The benefits of fruits 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 for both diabetics and people suffering from thyroid diseases.

Is that 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 come to the rescue again.

The 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 kingdom. Their effectiveness has been proven.

What are customers saying?

Acai berries are exotic fruits, so those who encounter them for the first time may have 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 predominantly 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.

acai juice
acai juice

As for weight loss, the reviews here 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. He alth has improved, but the weight has remained the same.

Who is contraindicated for?

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 when to stop. Being carried away by eating them, you can not only cause allergies, but also gain weight instead of losing it.

Açai berry extract

Berry juice is very he althy, because its composition is enriched with protein, iron, fiber, etc. It is low in sugar, but high in fatty acids and dietary fiber.

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

But the extract has a number of contraindications:

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

How to use it correctly?

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

Juice, 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.

kind of berries
kind of berries

Fruit based cosmetics

Açai are also involved in cosmetics. Oils based on them have a beneficial effect on the external condition. So for example:

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

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

  • fading skin;
  • dry, brittle hair;
  • skin peeling;
  • presence of acne;
  • eczema, seborrhea;
  • muscle pain;
  • increased puffiness.

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 to promote acai berries in the US media.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 for such high-profile words.

picking acai berries
picking acai berries

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Center responded to the activities of the American company. He described the acai berry business as an "international scam".

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

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