The acai berry is a fruit that is grown in Brazil and Peru. It is grown on palm trees mainly in floodplains and swamps and grows in bunches similar to bananas. It is a small round berry that is a dark shade of purple and sometimes appears to be black. It looks similar to a grape or blueberry but is smaller and usually darker. 90% of the berry is the seed and only the remaining 10% of the berry is edible. The people of Brazil and Peru have long known the benefits of the acai berry which has been referred to as the “Viagra of the Amazon" and "one of the most powerful foods in the world!"

The acai berry has been referred to as a super fruit because it is believed to have an exceptional amount of health benefits and contains many nutrients. It is believed to contain more protein than an egg and has ten times the antioxidants of grapes. The acai berry contains omega 9 and omega 6 fats which are believed to protect the heart and lower cholesterol. It has more antioxidants than any other food source and has a low sugar content. The acai berry also contains amino acids, vitamins A, B1 and E, and electrolytes. It also contains anthocyanins which are believed to be the ingredient found in red wine that promote heart health. Acai has 10 to 30 times more anthocyanins than red wine.

The berry itself is not eaten straight from the tree. The berries have to be harvested and processed and the acai is extracted. Since the berry cannot be preserved for long periods of time it is most commonly sold in the form of powder, capsules or drinks. Acai powder is gaining popularity as it can easily be added to shakes, smoothies, cereals and many other types of food. The Brazilians also use acai to season meat and fish. If you prefer you may mix a scoop of acai powder with water in a shaker and shake it. It should not be put in a blender as it will not mix as well. Once you have shaken the mixture put it in a refrigerator for approximately 3 minutes to remove the lumps. Once the lumps are removed your acai juice is ready. Many people say that the acai berry tastes like a combination of red wine and chocolate. Still others say that it tastes like cinnamon.


Acai's most commonly known health benefits include increased energy, aid in weight loss and elimination of toxins in the body. However, it is believed that there are many other benefits which include prevention of aging, healing, improved memory, improved sex drive, better sleep and a stronger immune system. It has not been proven but many believe that the acai berry has the ability to prevent certain cancers. The acai berry is currently being tested not only for the validity of the current health claims but also to see if it can be used as a contrasting agent in the body for those who are being prepared for gastrointestinal tract MRI tests.

In order to make acai powder the fruit must be processed and freeze dried and then made into powder. Some believe that freeze dried acai powder actually has more nutrients than fresh acai. Acai powder may be purchased in health food stores. It may also be purchased from numerous sources online. When purchasing acai powder it is best to buy acai powder that has been naturally extracted and dried as it is usually a purer form of the fruit. It is also important to make sure that your acai powder is not made from the acai seed as it has no nutritional value.

It is believed that the nutrients and antioxidants in acai will work to help make your body healthy. Once your body is healthy and balanced it becomes easier to reach a healthy weight. The natural ingredients of acai help the body to become more efficient in burning fat and food is processed faster which makes it easier to lose weight. Acai combined with a healthy diet and a consistent weight loss program have proven to be beneficial in helping many to achieve their desired healthy weight.
Acai Berry Powder