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Food
for Life - Caribbean - Acai fruit
Since its introduction to the world market
in 2000, the Acaí fruit has steadily gained attention
for its remarkable antioxidant value, even higher, some
studies show, than that of other antioxidant powerhouses
such as blueberries, red grapes and pomegranates. These
small, dark purple fruits are similar in appearance to blueberries
and are often referred to as berries.
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In Brazil, a highly nutritious, thick, pulpy, deep
purple juice is produced from the fruits and commonly offered everywhere
in the country. It is best consumed plain, fresh and unpasteurized
but can also be used in juice blends. Particularly noteworthy in
the long list of beneficial contents in the juice is its high percentage
of dietary fibers, which makes up a third of its weight. Because
of the Açaí fruit’s potentially elite antioxidant
capacity, studies are being done to test the berry’s anti-cancer
potential. In one of the first studies, undertaken at the University
of Florida in 2006, researchers discovered that Açaí
berry extracts caused up to 86% of the tested Leukemia cells to
self-destruct. These findings were published in the Journal of Agricultural
and Food Chemistry. Other scientific studies continue to be published
on the fruit’s nutritional profile and possible health benefits.
The Açaí berry is a product of the
palm species Euterpe Oleracea (common name: the Açaí
Palm), a slender and elegant, clustering palm from northern South
America, and its cultivar E. Oleracea “Pará Dwarf”.
Both varieties produce the berry, but the Pará Dwarf cultivar
has particular benefits that make it the palm of choice for growing
the fruit in its native Brazil — benefits which make it clear
why this variety is nicknamed “Super Berry.” First,
Pará Dwarf starts producing fruits with a trunk height of
only 1m (3 ft.), which is equivalent to 3 years of age after planting,
in a tropical climate. Second, this variety, as the “Dwarf”
implies, stays relatively short for easier harvesting. Third, it
is a highly productive plant. A recommended 400 plants per hectare
(2.5 acres) yield about 10 metric tons (22000 lb) of fruit per year.
Finally, the Pará Dwarf variety produces fruits of the highest
quality, with up to 25% more pulp than the regular açaí.
It is said to have the following properties:
• Anti-Aging
• Highest concentration of Antioxidants of any fruit
• Anti-Inflammatory.
• Amino Acids for muscle growth
The Açaí Palm also produces a premium quality heart
of palm. The Açaí Palm is well suited to most tropical
and some warm temperate climates. It likes plenty of rainfall and
must be irrigated in drier areas.
Information sourced www.rarepalmseeds.com
United Caribbean Trust believes that we can introduce the Açaí
Palm into the Agro Tourism Resorts in Dominica to be used in our
Food for Life Caribbean.
One ounce serving you are looking at 183 mg of potassium! Potassium
is crucial for life, it is key in heart, kidneys and other organs
to function properly. Potassium is found in a lot of foods including
cacao nibs but the average person is not eating a healthy diet and
low potassium is associated with:
• risk of high blood pressure
• heart disease
• stroke
• arthritis
• cancer
• digestive orders
• infertility
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