What Exactly is An Acai Berry?

It's the flu and cold season coming up and my kids are going to come home with all kinds of bugs. Thankfully I have found that new tropical superfruit called the Acai berry. You have probably already heard of it unless you are living in a cave. It's being touted as the healthiest fruit on earth.

The Acai Berry is a tiny round purple berry and in fact it really is a 'magic bullet' when it comes to healing infections, colds, etc. It is a tiny round fruit that is blackish to purple in color. It is like a large seed with a layer of fruity fresh. You can eat the entire berry which is very high and fiber.

The Acai berry is grown in Brazil and is harvested by local people so you are supporting native cultures if you by it. A single palm tree sprouts three to seven bunches of the berries at a time in big clumps.

The reason it is a superfood is because it has s ten times the antioxidants of grapes, which means it keeps your immune system and arteries super healthy… The Acai berry is chock full of omega fats, amino acids, protein, electrolytes and Vitamins A, B1 and E. It is a nutritional powerhouse. I am hiding them in my kid's cereal and oatmeal to protect them from sickness.

Native Amazon people have traditional used the Acai Berry as a treatment for digestive problems, skin irritations and even insomnia. It is also used as an aphrodisiac. For diabetics the Acai Berry is perfect because it is naturally low in sugar which means it can be eaten as a sweet treat, practically guilt free.

Acai is also often referred to as a diet super food also helps you digest food better. It is good for kids who get nervous at school and get upset tummies. It is also increases your metabolism and helps you quickly burn fats so it is good for losing weight… It also is detoxifying and fights cancer – which is good for everybody.

When it comes to weight loss this berry gives you greater strength so you can exercise longer and your kids can play longer and be better at competitive sports. It helps build lean muscles and fights against inflammation and arthritis. It also accelerates your metabolism and aids the digestion process. It also reduces belly bloat which helps mommy look sexy.

In general it is thought to increase your energy, your resistance to disease and help you to sleep. No wonder it is called a superfood.

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Even More About Nutrition

Here are some more myths about nutrition that you might find interesting.

Many of us are paying more to eat organic produce. However if you don’t eat organic, you’re not missing out. Some organic crops that are grown have been tested, and some have higher levels of vitamin C, a little bit more magnesium, some have high levels of antioxidants than conventionally-grown crops but most of them are not that nutritious. What IS important that you eat more fruits and veggies, no matter how they were farmed.

Another myth is that diet pop is better for you than regular pop. If you have to drink pop it’s better to drink diet pop, because you’re not getting the 10 teaspoons of sugar that come in a regular can. T he phosphoric acid in all colas can negatively affect bone density.

Another myth is that alcohol helps you sleep. Having a glass of wine in a bubble bath to relax before bed seems like a good idea, but don’t be surprised if you end up tossing and turning later in bed. Many studies have shown that using alcohol as a sleep aid will help you sleep soundly at first, but can lead to poor sleep quality, repeatedly waking up from your sleep, sometimes to nightmares. If you drink alcohol, try to keep it to the early evening and avoid going overboard.

Yet another lie I grew up with is that skipping meals can help you lose weight. This actually hurts your metabolism. The best way to chow down without packing on the pounds is to eat a balanced breakfast, lunch and dinner, with two snacks during the day if you can fit them in.

Another myth is that vegetarians are healthier than carnivores. you are a vegetarian that follows a well-balanced diet and you’re getting everything you need, certainly research does suggest that vegetarian populations do experience better health in terms of heart health, lower cancer rates and healthier weight. However any vegetarian that is not replacing the lost animal protein in his or her life will be unhealthier.

Another belief is that you have to take vitamins to stay healthy. Studies show us that most people do not even digest vitamin pills and we simply eliminate them whole from our bodies. Most people benefit from a Vitamin D supplement and maybe calcium if they are not getting enough nutrition from their diet. It is ALWAYS best to get the nutrition you need from food sources.

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