Acai Tree

Acai tree, also known as Acai Palm or Assai Palm, is known in scientific circles as Eturpe Oleracea. Found commonly throughout South America, it tends to grow next to rivers and flood plains and is therefore found alongside most rivers in Brazil. Due to its popularity in current times, it is now extensively grown as a commercial product as well.

The locals have used Acai tree and its products for centuries, and there are also many medicinal uses. The berry is used to treat diarrhea, skin ulcers, and even treat fever. The oil of the berry is used for diarrhea treatment and the berry is usually grated and turned into a wash for the treatment of skin ulcers. The juice of the Acai fruit is made by soaking the fruits in water and then squeezing them. Served cold with sugar, it is both refreshing and nourishing. The locals drink up to two liters of this juice every Backedday.  

While it’s true that the locals have been using the tree and its many products as a means to both treat their health and provide food, the tree has medical benefits that have been backed by modern science. It is known that the Acai is rich in phenolics and anthocyanins. The berry is one of the most nutritious foods in the world as they are packed with vitamins and minerals, namely potassium and manganese.  

Acai berries have been marketed as the answer to all weight loss problems. The truth is, and many are now backing away from previous weight loss claims on Acai berry diets, that nothing besides healthy eating habits can cause weight loss. The basic weight loss formula is to eat less and move more, and while Acai berries can aid loss due to the many health benefits they provide, no amount of Acai berries can help you lose weight if you are eating your weight in chocolate every day. So along with the berries, it is important to also maintain a healthy diet.  

Regardless of the benefits of the tree and its fruit, the amount of attention it has gotten in the media is overwhelming. It is easy to forget that the benefits of the fresh fruit are not the same as the benefits that will be received from drinking a packaged drink with Acai in it. The plant does not have magical properties that will help reduce weight either. It is interesting to note that a berry that has become increasingly popular in the modern world has never been sold for its health benefits in South America. While it is difficult to deny that the tree does produce a lot of beneficial products, including the berries, the attention it has gotten in recent years is baffling.

A Little More Info

In the flood plains of the Amazon River grows a palm that is popularly known as the acai tree. It has been a food source for the Amazon natives for centuries. It grows to heights of up to 30 meters.

The most popular of the palms products is the acai berry. This is a grape sized fruit that is believed to have the highest concentrations of antioxidants in the world. The berries grow in clusters and are harvested daily. Harvesting is done manually where a person climbs to the top and cuts the palms branches releasing the berries.

The acai berry is rich in vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, fiber, essential fatty acids and protein. It is a popular supplement in weight loss programs. These ingredients help in boosting energy and metabolism as well as health maintenance. This has led to its featuring in the media and increasing popularity. In addition, it has led to increased demand and rise in the prices of acai berry products.

Apart from the acai berry, the tree is also the source of hearts of palm. This is an exotic vegetable from Brazil eaten for its high nutritional value.

The acai tree requires warm humid environments to grow. It is found naturally only in the Amazon forest where these conditions are available. However, there are trees, which have been genetically engineered which are sold to individuals who wish to grow it. If you want to grow acai trees, you will need to provide the necessary conditions as well as nutrient rich soil. They can be grown as indoor plants or in the garden outside.

Growing a tree is perhaps the only way to have the acai berry in its natural form. Its high content of fatty acids renders it highly perishable.

Therefore, it has to be processed soon after harvesting making people who live around the Amazon basin possibly the only ones who relish acai in its natural form. In other places, it is found in form of powders, juices and supplements.

Genetic engineering of the acai seeds has enabled production of dwarf varieties, which are good for growing. Because of the heights the palm can achieve, the short varieties enable easier harvesting of the berries. For the palms that grow in the Amazon, skilled climbers are required to do the harvesting.

If you intend to buy the tree for planting, it is recommended you find a reputable acai farm. Such farms should have a track record of selling seeds and or trees that have grown and produced high quality acai berries. This is because there are many scams out there that want to profit from the acai craze.

The acai tree is perhaps one of the most important trees in the weight loss and health world in terms of producing the highest antioxidant fruit. The good thing about this plant is that provided you can provide all the conditions necessary for its growth, you can have it in your garden and enjoy fresh acai berries all year round.

• Organic Acai
  
  Organic acai products range from juice, powders, capsules and puree. Taking these products ensures that you get all the benefits that you would if you consumed the acai berry.
• Can you Grow Acai Berry Plants?
  
  Growing an acai berry plants is one of the best alternatives to relying on acai products. However, it requires a lot of careful planning and considerations, as it is a lifetime investment.
• Knowing What Are Acai Berries and Why is it Causing Attention
  
  Because of this perfect characterization of the fruit, what are acai berries and can it really provide a weight loss solution that is safe as well as effective?

Organic Acai