The little black and abode berry of Açai has many names: Milk of the Amazon and Joya of Brazil. These recent fame berries grow in the Euterpe palm trees of the tropics. The palm tree itself also is called “tree of life” and its wood is used to weave and cover the African houses.
The Euterpe is more famous for its fruits, of which the inhabitants of Latin America and the Amazon were known before. About 15 years ago, the reputation of its beneficial properties extended throughout the world.
What are the berries of Açai?
The Açai berry grows in palm trees in the s o-called panicles, each of which weighs between 3 and 5 kg. The berry is a round fruit, the size of a small grape, with flesh and blood inside. The initial color of Açai is orange, but becomes dark purple when it is completely mature, sometimes with a greenish or violet tone.
The Euterpe bear fruit twice a year. Some can know nuts, others to raspberries or chocolate, but the exact flavor is, of course, indescribable. The fruits are very delicate and can only be collected by hand.
The locals climb the slender and high palm trees to collect them, endangering their lives. Due to the great demand for the product, the natives have been able to earn good money.
Caloric content and nutritional value
The Açaí berry, unlike other berries, is very caloric, with up to 247 kcal per 100 g. This makes the product suitable for people who want to increase their muscle mass, for example athletes.
The berries also contain (per 100 g)
- water 65. 1 g;
- 36. 4 g carbohydrates;
- 1. 7 g food fibers;
- Organic acids 0. 9 g
- 0. 7 g proteins; 0. 5 g fats; 0. 8 g carbohydrates; Organic acids 0. 9 g
- 0. 5 g fats; 0. 3 g ashes;
- ashes 0. 3 g.
The fruit contains:
| Vitamins | A, B9, C, B1, H, B5, K, Niacina, E, B3, PP, B2, B6 |
| Macronutrients | Potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine |
| OLIGOEMENTS | Aluminum, boron, rubidium, copper, fluoride, iron, iodine, chrome, cobalt, manganese, zinc |
| Essential amino acids | Arginine, histidine, Metionine, tryptophan, treonine, phenylalanine, lysine, leucine |
| Substitutable amino acids | Proline, tyrosine, asparic acid, glutamic acid, serine, cysteine, glycine |
| Digestible carbohydrates | Monosaccharides, fructose, glucose, sucrose |
| Note: All elements and vitamins in descending order according to its proportion in the composition. | |
Important: Açai contains several times more antioxidants than grapes and blueberries.
Useful properties
Açai is used for the prevention and treatment of a large number of ailments. The healing properties of the Euterpa fruit were discovered by scientists who conducted research by observing that the Amazonians who constantly consumed berries seemed young and full of energy for a long time.
Substances and vitamins have such positive effects on the body
- Vitamin C helps fight viruses, accelerates the synthesis of collagen fibers;
- Group B vitamins have a positive effect on the skin and nervous and digestive systems, strengthens blood vessels, improves memory and sleep;
- Vitamin A accelerates the cell regeneration process;
- Vitamin E prevents aging, favors rapid healing wounds;
- Omega acids, contained in the product and not synthesized independently by the body, contribute to the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, K, are necessary for hematopoiesis;
- Betacarotene delays aging, has a positive effect on eye health, accelerates the regeneration of skin cells and reinforces the immune system;
- Proteins are essential to strengthen muscles, metabolism;
- Carbohydrates nourish cells, are energy source for the body;
- Manganese improves digestion, normalizes glucose levels, restores cartilaginous tissues and is a powerful antioxidant;
- Potassium reduces blood pressure and regulates acid-alcaline balance;
- Zinc synthesizes insulin production, fights infectious diseases;
- Calcium reinforces bones;
- Magnesium favors a better transmission of nerve signals;
- Lipids, proteins are essential for the construction of muscle mass, as well as skeleton;
- Anthocyanins protect the body’s cells.
For the cardiovascular system
Asazeiro fruit consumption (palm in Brazil) helps reduce blood sugar, “bad” cholesterol formation in blood vessels and normalizes blood pressure.
Oleic and linoleic acids that contain help to avoid the obstruction of blood vessels. When the introduction in the berries delayed in time the process of aging cells, burned fats, returns to normal metabolism, which has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system.
Antitumor properties
The anthocyanins, which are found in large quantities in the berry, neutralize the free radicals that are formed in the cell can destroy it, thus causing various tumors.
Taking Açaí can help in the prevention of tumor diseases, but unfortunately it is not a panacea against them. If these types of disease appear, it is essential to consult the doctor and treat them with traditional remedies.
Anthocyanins for a good view
The anthocyanins of the fruit are part of the flavonoids, which are plant pigments that, when they are ingested, increase the activity of useful enzymes in the human body. Thanks to the large amount of this substance, the berries are purple.
Anthocyanins help strengthen the capillaries that supply oxygen and nutrients to the retina. The constant consumption of Açai avoids glaucoma, night blindness and inhibits visual deterioration during diabetic retinopathy.
To sleep well
The fruit of the Euterpa contains substances that stimulate the production of neurotransmitters: serotonin and dopamine. It is shown that these hormones are responsible for happiness, calm, pleasure, and are the most essential components for a good night sleep. The consumption of berries will help relax the muscles, calm the nerves, have a good nighttime rest.
Sexual attraction
Also known as the “Tropical Viagra” in South America, it is said that Açai berries increase sexual desire. Studies have shown that the fruit of the palm is aphrodisiac and increases sexual resistance, reduces frigidity and impotence.
How to use it correctly
Like many other fruits, Açai is better to consume it fresh. The berries spoil rapidly, so the unprocessed product can only be tasted in Brazil and other regions of Central and South America where Euterpa palm grows.
Açaí is exported as follows:
- Lyophilized berries. Lyophilization is a soft drying process in which the substance is frozen at a very low temperature and then heated by a vacuum chamber, thus extracting excess humidity from the products.
- Dehydrated fruit (available as well as a dehydrated and powder berry that can be added to any dish), when drying, the product retains between 80 and 85% of its nutrients.
- Açaí oil, a product of this type, is mainly used in cosmetology. Added to various creams, vitaminizing oil, hydrates and protects the skin. Regular use of oil extract can prolong skin youth and prevent premature wrinkles. The oil is also used to rub hair, reducing open tips and dandruff.
- Frozen fruit. Processed in this way, the product retains many medicinal properties. In addition to berries, frozen jam.
- Açai concentrated juice. This product can be diluted with water in a proportion of 1: 5.
- The berries are also used to prepare various supplements in the form of tablets, powders and suspensions.
Possible contraindications and side effects
At this time, there are no contraindications for the use of tropical berries revealed, but when consumed in large quantities, any product can be harmful. Caution should be taken with people who are allergic to other foods and berries in particular, but can also occur with the intake of Açai berries.
In addition, in rare cases, it may be the appearance of individual intolerance.
How to use
The most ingenious way to consume Açaí is to add berries or berries of açaí to drinks, dairy products, desserts. They are often used as an ingredient in salads for salads.
They provide an acid and sweet taste to the dishes. The berries combine especially well with vegetables and fruits, among which the most appropriate is pumpkin. In Brazil, there are national dishes prepared with pumpkin and Euterpe.
Açai berries can be prepared with this type of dishes:
Tartlets with meringue and berry mix
- Grate a handful of berries of Açai with the same amount of red currants, sugar and keep over low heat for 5-6 minutes;
- Place the slightly floured dough on the molds for tartlets, pierce the bottom with a fork, bake at 190 C for 10 minutes, remove the tartlets and let cool;
- Merengue: Mount the whites to the point of snow, add the icing sugar and beat until the merengue is obtained;
- Fill the tartlets with the mixture of sweet berries, cover with the meringue and bake for 10-15 minutes.
Brazilian Buddine
- Pour 3 tablespoons of water over açai, cherries and blueberries, add the sugar, heat up simmer while stirring and adding the currants. Cover the mixture with a lid and cook over low heat until the fruit has softened, then cool;
- Place the mixture in a strainer on a bowl and let it soak for a few minutes to release the juice of the berries;
- Cover the bottom of the mold with a layer of white bread pulp, pour a little syrup on top and repeat the operation several times, so that 3-4 layers of pulp and sweet liquid are formed;
- Pour the resulting mixture on the remaining syrup and a glass of juice of the oranges, and sprinkle with the berries.
- Cover the source with transparent film, put a plate on top and let stand from 6 to 8 hours;
- Just before serving, remove the transparent film and quickly dump the pudin on a plate.
Berm jam
- Mix açaí, plums and currants with granulated sugar and let stand in the refrigerator for a few hours;
- Remove the mixture, add more sugar, remove and let stand for 1 hour;
- Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice;
- Grate the berries with a blender or a strainer and add half a liter of water;
- Cook the mixture over low heat until it boils, then leave it in the fire for another 10 minutes;
- Pour a tablespoon of the jam on a plate; If you are ready, it will not melt, but it is liquid, cook a few more minutes.
- The list jam can be eaten immediately, you can pour into sterilized tarros and close with tapas to save it.
Berries
- Mix a cup of flour with a package of butter and yeast powder until the mixture becomes crumbs;
- Add 3 tablespoons of acai and sugar and 200 ml of orange juice;
- Form an elastic dough, extend it evenly on a greased baking sheet and bake for 30-40 minutes.
- Cut the cake into pieces and serve for breakfast.
Mint sorbet
- Add 5-7 tablespoons of granulated sugar to a glass of boiling water and leave on the fire until it dissolves, then put a mint twig and leave on the fire a little more;
- Add the acai pulp to the syrup and cook over low heat for 10 minutes;
- Strain the syrup, add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and cool;
- Put the syrup in the freezer and keep it there a couple of hours;
- Decorate the sorbet with berries and mint leaves.
The berries can also be added to many other dishes and combine very well with ice cream.
Thanks to its composition, Açai berries are a very useful product. Taking these fruits, many diseases can be prevented and the state of the organism is improved. However, do not trust dietary dietary supplements and even replace the coolest berries for medications.
Açai berries are an excellent natural energy drink and a preventive remedy, but they are not a panacea.
