Over the last few years it’s been tough to avoid hearing about Acai Berries and their aid in weight loss and nutritional benefits. Yet we hear much less about the history of the Acai Berry and how its benefits were reaped by other cultures for many, many years.

The Acai Berry (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) grows on a tree within the palm family and can achieve heights as high as 25m. The Acai Berries themselves occur in large, grape like clusters within the leaves above the trunk.

Sources state that the berries were initially eaten by Amazon tribes thousands of years ago. A very skilled tribesman was required to reach the tops of the trees and obtain the fruits.

Despite the fact that no medical analysis could be carried out, the tribes developed a very good awareness of the fruit and its properties. The Amazonian tribes deemed that the fruit served to combat infection, shield the heart, extend the life expectancy and even improve sex; most of what has now been proven to be fact.

In the last twenty or so years the Acai Berries properties as a health food started to catch on to other areas of the planet. The Brazilian surfer community used the Acai Berry as a way to restore energy after time within the ocean, and the berries are regularly added as an ingredient in smoothies that are available across the beaches of Brazil.

It was about this time that scientific researchers caught onto the potential features of the Acai Berry, and commenced research into the genuine qualities of the fruit. Many studies verified the fruit as a dense source of vital vitamins and minerals, along with being full of fibre and containing the essential Omega oils that humans need to attain a healthy heart.

Despite substantial promotion, it is probably Oprah Winfrey who can be thanked for the Acai Berries noted popularity as a fat burning food. As a well-respected talk show host and serial dieter, many people effortlessly took on board everything Oprah had to declare in regards to the benefits of the Acai Berry. It would appear that it is since that day that slimmers have been desperate to jump on the Acai Berry band wagon and experience its advantages for themselves.

The past few years have witnessed the berry used not only as a weightloss supplement, but also as a detox food and as an active additive in energy bars and healthy snacks. Particularly popular as a food source sold by gyms and health clubs, the fruits use as an energy supply can be backed up by the Amazonian tribes use of the berry as a stimulant when hunting.

So what exactly does the future have in store for the Acai Berry? You can only guess, but if analysis into the fruit continues and peoples concern and consciousness of their health keeps growing, it’s likely that the interest in Acai Berries will increase. All being well, unlike the typical impact of supply and demand where prices get higher, an elevated demand will lead to increased production – in turn causing the cost of the berry to decrease.

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