Acai berry premium blend juice is a type of acai juice that has only been diluted a small amount with water or another juice. Acai, a grape-like fruit native to South American rainforests, is not formally regulated in the United States. As a result, there is not yet an organized standard for the quality of its juice, and many brands make claims that may not be supported by facts.
Types
Premium acai has a significant amount of antioxidants. It's also a good source of omega fatty acids, potassium and other essential nutrients. The fruit is currently only available in juice form because the pulp of the berry is too delicate to package. Some of the most popular types of premium acai berry juice available include Sambazon, Acai Roots, Dynamic Health and MonaVie.
Significance
According to MayoClinic.com, antioxidants may protect your cells by neutralizing free radicals in your system. Free radicals are molecules with an incomplete electron shell, making them unstable and reactive. Damage caused by free radicals may be linked to cancer. Exposure to harmful chemicals, such as radiation, tobacco smoke and lactic acid, creates free radicals in your system, and consuming fruits, such as acai that are high in antioxidants, can offset their destruction.
Availability
Acai berries grow on tall palm trees found throughout the Amazon rainforest where people have been eating the fruit for hundreds of years. Local Brazilians call the fruit ica-cai, which means fruit that cries. The fruit became more common in South America during the 1960s after Gastão and Hélio Gracie popularized jiu-jitsu and recommended consuming acai before and after workouts. However, the berry was only recently introduced to the United States in early 2000s.
Considerations
Although acai premium blend juice could be a nutritional super-food, research on the berry is still limited. Furthermore, as MayoClinic.com explains, the many health benefits supposedly linked to the fruit have not been proven. Plus, according to the National Cancer Institute, antioxidants may not always slow cancer growth. Random large clinical trials have had inconsistent, variable results.
Expert Insight
According to Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D., you can enjoy the potential benefits acai offers in many ways besides drinking a premium juice blend. In most health food stores, you will find the fruit in tablet, powder or raw form. It is also included in many smoothies, energy drinks, ice creams and jellies. Plus, there are several other fruits that contain the nutrients and antioxidants found in acai.
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