For hundreds of years, people in the regions surrounding the Amazon have enjoyed the acai berry as a part of their daily diet. However, it was until recently that the word spread about this amazing berry and the rest of the world started to get interested in it. So, what exactly is the acai berry and what can it do? Continue reading to learn more about this superfruit and why its so popular.

The acai berry is not a new food. In fact, it's been growing wild for hundreds of years in the rainforests of Brazil and South America. The local tribes have long used this fruit as a major source of food, as well as other things. The pulp of the berry is used in food dishes and the large seeds in the center of the berry were used as jewelry. Even the branches of the acai palm trees were used as building materials.

The real value of the acai berry comes from the nutritional properties it contains. When the tribes ate the berries they were not aware of how many nutrients it contained, just that it tasted great and gave them extra energy throughout the day. Studies in the past decade have shown it to have a number of nutrients that help our bodies.

We all know how good antioxidants are supposed to be. Well, the acai berry has nearly 12 times the amount of antioxidants as red wine. One particular type of antioxidant, anthocyanins, are extremely important for keep free radicals in check. Free radicals are chemicals in our bodies that can break down healthy cells and cause illness.

So, why is the acai berry popular all of a sudden you ask? Well, it was until recently that the acai berry was able to be transported to areas outside of South America. This is due to the fact that the acai fruit spoils very quickly after harvesting, usually around 24 hours. But, thanks to new freeze drying and flash freezing preservation techniques, it is now easily exported to other countries and regions.

If you want to try acai berry, you can usually find it available it a number of different forms. One of the most popular choices is acai berry juice. The juice contains many nutrients and antioxidants and also taste very delicious. However, make sure you are getting real acai berry juice. Some companies water down their acai juice with useless fillers. Avoid these at all costs!

Now that you know all about the acai berry, you are probably dying to go out and try it. Well, you will pleased to know that you can find it in most health stores, grocery stores, and many online shops. Have fun trying the fruits of the Amazon!