What’s so great about açaí?

You might say açaí is fast becoming known as a wonder food for its versatility.

Açaí has nutrient properties and is naturally rich in:

• Omega fats (the good kind, unlike the saturated fats found in fast food)
• amino acids
• electrolytes
• antioxidants
• protein
• vitamins A, B1 and E

The people of the Amazon rainforest use açaí in many different dishes – from drinks and shakes to breakfasts and bars. Brazilians use açaí to flavor meat and fish entrees, too, topping dishes with a pulpy, curd-like substance made from the fruit.
Not only does açaí provide a delicious taste to complement food, it is known around the Amazon for amazing health benefits. Açaí is known to be used for treatment of digestive problems, skin irritation, sexual dysfunction, and even insomnia. The açaí berry is naturally low in sugar, too.

Only in recent years have people in North America discovered how açaí makes them feel energetic and healthy. Take a trip to your favorite smoothie place and you might find açaí as one of the add-in ingredients available to you. Not only are consumers finding the benefits of açaí to their interest, but researchers and the media are amazed by the power of this small berry. NBC’s Today did a feature story on açaí in 2004, and more recently researchers at the University of Florida tested the attributes of açaí to discover it actually destroyed cultured leukemia cells!

Will açaí cure cancer? We can’t say for certain. All we know is that açaí possesses some very strong health properties that may benefit people in the long run.