If you've stepped foot in a health food store recently, you've likely caught wind of the popular Brazilian super-food known as acai (ah-sigh-ee) berry. Packed with antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids, this inch-long relative to the blueberry is fast becoming an American obsession.
Origin
Native to the Amazon basin's acai palm, the acai berry flourishes in two crops each year.
Appearance
Acai berry is a small, round fruit that looks similar to grape or a blueberry, but differs in both taste and texture. About 90 percent of the berry is comprised of a seed or pit, leaving only 10 percent of the coveted fruit for consumption.
Benefits
According to the Mayo Clinic, the exceptional concentration of antioxidants, fiber and heart-healthy trans fats make acai berries "an important part of a healthy diet."
Products
Acai supplements, purees, energy drinks and juices are available for purchase throughout the United States. The acai berry itself spoils quickly, so you won't be able to find it in your local supermarket.
Warning
According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, "there's no evidence whatsoever to suggest that acai pills will help shed pounds, flatten tummies, cleanse colon, enhance sexual desire or perform any of the other commonly advertised functions."
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