Specialty Crops

On Oprah in late 2004, world reknown anti-ageing expert Dr. Nicholas Perricone introduced his book, "The Perricone Promise" and named the Acai berry the #1 super food in the world for "age-defying beauty".

According to Perricone, the 10 featured superfoods in his book were chosen because of their direct link to the Brain-Beauty Connection. These foods (listed here in alphabetical order) are rich in either the Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), antioxidants or fiber, and as in the case of açaí-all three! In addition, we have included foods that have been proven to lower or help regulate blood sugar levels-an extremely important factor for all of those concerned with slowing the aging process and preventing diabetes, obesity, wrinkles and a host of degenerative diseases.

Superfood No. 1: Açaí

Nature's Energy Fruit

It may seem odd to start this list of superfoods with one you’ve likely never even heard of. But studies have shown that this little berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world! Açaí (ah-sigh-ee) is the high-energy berry of a special Amazon palm tree. Harvested in the rainforests of Brazil, açaí tastes like a vibrant blend of berries and chocolate. Hidden within its royal purple pigment is the magic that makes it nature's perfect energy fruit. Açaí is packed full of antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids. Although açaí may not be available in your local supermarket, you can find it in several health food and gourmet stores (often in juice form). A new product featuring the unsweetened pulp is now also available, and I highly recommend that you choose this form of açaí.

Açaí pulp contains:

Stem

Heart of palm (the soft inner growing tip of some palms, (Euterpe edulis, Euterpe oleracea, "Bactris gasipaes") is consumed, often in salads. It is a mistake to think that the extraction of the Acai palm's heart involves the inevitable death of the entire palm tree, (this is true in the case of Jussara Palm, Euterpe edulis but NOT in Acai Palm). New branches will grow after its growing tip is removed. For this reason the consumption, harvesting and cultivation of Acai Palm must be considered ecologically correct

Palm heart dishes are regarded as a delicacy more than a staple diet; heart of palm is sometimes called "Millionaire's Salad" due to its high price.

Fruit

Açai is consumed as an energetic drink usually mixed with guarana syrup and othertropical fruits. It is ideal for athletes and people who burn lots of calories, supplying various nutrients such as lipids and aminoacids. It also contains antioxidants with high concentrations of minerals.

Rich in lipids and vitamin E açai helps to combat free radicals. The high concentration of fibers improves the intestinal functions, and the presence of vitamin B1 and the high content of antho-cyanins, which are antioxidants, helps the blood circulation. Açai is also very rich in anthocyanins which help to combat cholesterol and free radicals. Another important component is iron, used for the treatment of anemia and to increase muscles strength.

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