Click here for information on what Acai is Not! Acaí Palm (IPA [asai]) is a member of the genus Euterpe, which contains 7 species of palms native to tropical Central and South America, from Belize south to Brazil and Peru, growing mainly in floodplains and swamps. The genus is named after the muse Euterpe of Greek mythology. Euterpe are tall slender attractive palms growing to 15-30 meters tall, with pinnate leaves up to 3 meters long. Many of the palms that were once in the genus Euterpe have now been reclassified into the genus Prestoea (Riffle, 2003). The species Euterpe oleracea ...
Berries - the "Superfruit" Who could have imagined? While mom always recommended getting those extra servings of fruits and vegetables, she probably wasn't aware of all the health benefits packed into those nutrient-dense pieces of produce. She might likewise be stunned at the impact delivered by the smallest of fruits—berries. With rich nutritional value, berries can be found in a range of dietary supplements, functional foods and beverages, and even cosmeceutical products. Among their health benefits: Antioxidant Effects: reduce brain aging, enhance memory and reduce oxidative stress Cardiovascular Protection: enhance the strength of the blood vessels, prevent oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, reduce plaque ...
Compounds in Pomegranate may fight breast cancer! Enzyme-blocking chemicals in pomegranates (phytochemicals) may reduce the risk of estrogen-fueled breast cancers, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday. An acid found in pomegranates appears to block aromatase, an enzyme that converts androgen to estrogen, a hormone that plays a role in the development of breast cancer, the researchers wrote in the journal Cancer Prevention Research. "We identified some of these chemicals in pomegranates that actually have properties that can suppress aromatase," researcher Shiuan Chen, of the City of Hope cancer research and treatment center in Duarte, California, said in a telephone interview. Many women who have had ...