Everyone is raving about açaí
Added 26.01.2010
Brazilian amateur and professional athletes (surfers, skateboarders and jujitsu fighters) have been taking açaí for years because they say it increases their performance, muscle strength, energy levels and endurance.
Dr. Nicholas Perricone, a well-known dermatologist and guest on the Oprah Winfrey show, called the açaí berry the number 1 superfood in his book The Perricone Promise.
The legend of açaí
The açaí berry gets its name from an indigenous tribe in the Amazon rainforest; they call the berry içá-çai, which translates to "the fruit that cries." According to Brazilian folklore, there was once an indigenous tribal chief who declared that all newborn babies be killed because there was not enough food to feed the rapidly growing village. When the chief's daughter, Iaca gave birth, he could not show favouritism and ordered the baby be killed as well. Iaca was overcome with grief and retreated alone to her hut for days. One day she heard the distant sound of a baby crying. Following the sound into the rainforest, Iaca came across a tall palm tree loaded with purple fruit. The thought that the fruit could have saved her baby was too much for her to bear and people say she died right there by the tree. When the villagers found Iaca's body and the palm tree full of berries, they also realised that their village could be saved from starvation and their babies from death. The chief ordered the tree be called after his daughter and so it was named açaí (Iaca spelled backwards). And since that day, the açaí berry has gained popularity in Brazil and internationally for its hunger quenching and energy boosting properties.
What can açaí do for you?
- Increase your energy level.
- Improve your muscle development, strength and rejuvenation.
- Keep your immune system healthy.
- Improve your libido and sexual performance.
- Improve your cardiovascular health.
- Boost your antioxidant levels so that your body can fight cell-damaging free radicals more effectively.
- Maintain healthy cell division.
- Improve your digestion.
- Supports your body's own detoxification system.
- Improve your skin's appearance.
- Improve your sleep.
- Reduce your cholesterol level.
