Acai Berry
Euterpe oleracea Mart

PF0572	Acai Extract 500 mg Açai Fruit Extract (4:1) Planetary Herbals	Euterpe oleracea Mart	120 caps	$22.99
Supplement Facts for 500 mg Capsule Serving Size: 2 capsule(s)   Amount %DV Total Carbohydrates 1 g 2% Vitamin C (naturally occurring) 6 mg 10% Açai Fruit Extract (4:1) 750 mg † Açai Fruit Juice Powder 250 mg †
SN2025	Acai Extract 500 mg Acai Fruit Extract (4:1) Source Naturals		60  Caps	$9.99
Supplement Facts for 500 mg Capsule Serving Size: 2 capsule(s)   Amount %DV Total Carbohydrates 1 g <1% Vitamin C (naturally occurring) 8 mg 13% Acai Fruit Extract (4:1) 1 g †

The berry is found growing on a palm tree that is known as “The Tree of Life” to Brazilians.  Acai which is pronouced ah - sa -EE is hitting the airwaves everywhere; such as Sports Illustrated, The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, The Washington Post, Oprah, ABC News, NBC Today Show, and the CBS Early Show,  due to its Super Antioxidant properties.  Acai contains several substances called anthocyanins and flavonoids.

The word anthocyanin comes from two Greek words meaning “plant” and “blue.” Anthocyanins are responsible for the red, purple, and blue hues in many fruits, vegetables, and flowers, including blueberries, plums, acia berries and grapes. These foods are richest in anthocyanins. 

Anthocyanins and flavonoids are powerful antioxidants that help defend the body against life's stressors. They also play a role in the body's cell protection system. Free radicals are harmful byproducts produced by the body. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants may impede the aging by neutralizing free radicals.  By lessening the destructive power of free radicals, antioxidants may help reduce the risk of some diseases, such as heart disease and cancer.

Acai berries are round, dark-purple and about 1 inch in diameter, similar to a grape and grow in bunches that contain hundreds of individual fruits.  The berry became very popular when Dr. Oz, talked about on the Oprah Winfrey show.  He states 

"It may seem odd to start this list of weight loss 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! Acai (ah-sigh-ee) is the high-energy berry of a special Amazon palm tree."

- Dr. Oz

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has initiated studies to look at the link between antioxidant rich food and aging. Below are direct quotes from the USDA website -

"Studies at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston suggest that consuming fruits and vegetables with a high-ORAC value may help slow the aging process in both body and brain."

Ronald L. Prior, the researcher for the USDA study went on to suggest that "the ORAC measure may help define the dietary conditions needed to prevent tissue damage."

"Science has long held that damage by oxygen free radicals is behind many of the maladies that come with aging, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. There's firm evidence that a high intake of fruits and vegetables reduces risk of cancer and that a low intake raises risk. And recent evidence suggests that diminished brain function associated with aging and disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases may be due to increased vulnerability to free radicals, says Joseph, a neuroscientist. "