What is acai berry? Acai berry is a tropical fruit from an acai palm, one of the 8 species of the palm genus Euterpe. This type of palm grows mainly on swamps and flood plains in the amazons of Brazil, some parts of Peru, and Central and South America. Euterpe palms are usually slim and tall, growing up to 15 to 30 meters in height, with leaves extending up to 3 meters long. Acai palms, scientifically known as Euterpe Oleracea, are famous for their highly nutritious fruit and superior hearts of palm. The acai berry fruit, which is purple, round-shaped fruit much like a grape fruit, contains high nutritional value that made acai berries popular worldwide.

What makes acai berries good? Research showed that acai berries contain the following properties: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and cardiovascular benefits. The antioxidant property of acai berry is 30 times greater than red grapes, and 10 to 20 times more anthocyanins than red wine. That makes acai berries more than 200% anti-oxidant than any other fruit and vegetable known; and the best known source of antioxidant so far. A university of Florida study in 2006 showed that the antioxidant property of acai berries destroyed cultured human cancer cells. Further studies revealed that it triggers a self-destruct response in up to 86% of tested leukemia cells.

Acai berries provide a good source of Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, C and Vitamin E. It also contain good amount of fiber that help promotes healthy digestive system and reduce the risks of developing some types of cancer.