101 Foods That Could Save Your Life

Did you know … the antioxidant capacity or “ORAC” value for a 4oz/110g portion of açaí is 6576? That is more than blueberries, strawberries and red wine combined!

Açaí (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) berries are produced by a palm tree grown in the floodplain areas of the Amazon River in Brazil. They have a unique taste—like wildberries with a hint of slightly bitter chocolate—yum! The berry, about the same size as a blueberry, is 95 per cent seed. The seeds are discarded, leaving the skin alone for açaí products.

In the Amazon, açaí palms cover an area equivalent to half the size of Switzerland. Açaí is a primary food staple of Amazon River communities. It is served as a beverage and is a main part of the meal, much in the same way as bread or rice in other cultures. In the city of Belém in Brazil, more of the fruit is drunk than milk—an estimated 200,000 litres of açaí juice is consumed daily among a population of 1.3 million.

Açaí is unique to the Amazon rainforests of Brazil and commercial production of the berry is found mainly near the city of Belém.

Surprisingly for a fruit, the vast majority of the calories come from fat: a 4oz/110g serving of pure açaí contains about 100 calories and six grams of fat. However, it is rich in anti-inflammatory omega-9 fats and also contains little sugar. Açaí contains essential fatty acids, iron, calcium, fibre, vitamin A and other antioxidants.

Scientists have discovered that açaí is rich in anthocyanins, a special group of plant chemicals believed to have many health benefits. In fact, açaí contains ten times more anthocyanins than is found in an equal serving of red wine. Anthocyanins in açaí make up only about 10 per cent of the total antioxidants contained within this amazing little berry.

Açaí also contains phytosterols, a plant component known to reduce cholesterol, treat symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (swollen prostate) and help protect the immune system from physical stress.

SEXUAL PERFORMANCE: Açaí combined with guarana syrup is a popular drink in Brazil. One of the reported benefits from drinking the concoction is improved sexual performance.

BEAUTY: Dr Nicholas Perricone mentions in his anti-ageing books that açaí has beautifying properties.

CANCER: Utilizing a test tube study, University of Florida researchers found powerful antioxidant compounds in açaí that greatly reduced cell proliferation and enhanced apoptosis (programmed cell death) in human leukaemia cells.

• Açaí comes in juice, frozen pulp, bottled smoothies and powder forms that are all available at most health food shops. Due to their highly perishable nature, fresh açaí berries are only available in Brazil.

• Look for flash-pasteurized açaí products which preserve açaí’s antioxidants and beautiful purple colour.

• Heating açaí may diminish some of its antioxidants.

• Açaí can be used to make sauces and jams.

• The pulp can be added into smoothies or beverages, spooned over cereal, added to yogurt or eaten alone.

Brazilian-Style Açaí Bowl

by Royce Gracie

Servings: 2 • Prep time: 5 minutes

Royce Gracie is an international star in the sport of jujitsu and has a long family history of using açaí for improved performance. Royce’s grandfather, Carlos, opened Brazil’s first jujitsu academy and began to incorporate açaí into his own diet and those of his students many years ago. Our family loves this recipe over yogurt, ice cream, pancakes … you name it! All four ingredients are powerhouse foods.

INGREDIENTS:

2 4oz/110g packs Sambazon original açaí pulp

4floz/110ml organic apple juice

1 organic banana

1 teaspoon organic honey

DIRECTIONS:

Blend all the ingredients in a blender until thickened. Top with organic granola and additional organic honey to taste.

BREAK IT DOWN …

Calories: 190; Total fat: 5g; Saturated fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 10mg; Total carbs: 44g; Fibre: 2g; Sugar: 34g; Protein: 3g.