Saturday, June 27, 2009

Does The Acai Berry Actually Work?

By Amanda Z. Reynolds

There's been a lot of hype surrounding the acai berry in recent months, and almost none of it is scientifically proven to be true. Despite what you may have heard, the acai berry isn't a weight loss "magic bullet", nor is it a miracle pill that will cause you to lose twenty pounds in a week.

Before you believe any of the claims about acai's effectiveness remember this- the more outlandish the claim, the less likely that the supplement will live up to it. Discuss its use with your physician, and while there aren't any major side effects that we're aware of, it might affect the way that some medicines work.

However, if you combine it with proper diet and exercise, the acai berry can definitely help. Its tiny, purplish skins are chock-full of antioxidants, amino acids, plant sterols, and essential amino acids that will ensure that your body functions the best it possibly can.

Acai berries do a great job of speeding the digestive process along. They'll help to reduce bloating and irregularity, and keeping your digestive tract running efficiently goes a long way toward maintaining a healthy weight.

As we mentioned above, acai berries are rich in fatty acids, especially omega-3s. These are the same beneficial oils found in olive oil, flaxseed, and fish oil. Your body doesn't make them on its own, so you have to get them from the food you eat.

The fiber in acai berries can help your digestive tract to process food faster and more efficiently, which makes sure that your body is always clean. With the cleansing action of the acai berry, you will definitely lose weight and inches.

Acai berries also contain a lot of fiber, which promotes a healthy digestive tract by cleansing your system of fat and undigested matter. Foods high in fiber also help you feel full faster, and stay full longer- and that may just make you snack a little less. There is also a fair amount of protein in the acai berry.

Phytosterols are great at removing cholesterol from the body, and acai berries are rich in them. Some people could see their levels drop by almost 15%.

Diets rich in omega-3 and amino acids, like those found in the acai berry, help the body to burn fat and the muscles to work more smoothly.

While the acai berry isn't a total nutritional solution, it has enough protein, fiber and antioxidant power to make it a vital part of a healthy, balanced diet. Acai berries can be used in recipes and fruit salads, just like any other fruit. They make good smoothies, too!

The acai berry's regenerative and health-enhancing properties are so well known that many athletes (such as Brazilian soccer players) eat a quantity of acai berry pulp right before a game.

While not perfect, the acai berry is rich in protein and complex carbohydrates, which are great for providing a long-lasting energy boost. If you want a natural way to increase your endurance and reduce recovery time, try acai!

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