The remarkable antioxidant capacity of the acai berry has made it into one of the most incredible superfoods of all times. Weight loss, cardiovascular health, cancer prevention, general good health and more have been scientifically attributed to this remarkable little berry.
This increase in popularity has caused a plethora of acai berry products to overtake the market. Unfortunately some of these products have only a few of the potential benefits of the actual acai berry because of inferior processing that contributes to a lack of the complete bioactive constituents of the plant and sometimes the addition of too many other additives such as fruit juice in the case of acai berry juice or inert ingredients in the case of capsules or pills.
Heat processing, some evaporation methods, vacuum and pressure methods of processing are the inferior methods of processing the acai berry. These methods can eradicate the naturally occurring and health promoting bioactive components. There are many ways to process the acai berry but only a few will maintain the original integrity of this healthy fruit. When you are buying these products you need to be concerned with how the fruit was processed.
Unless you reside in the rainforests of Brazil the acai berry products you are purchasing have been processed. This is because the acai berry fruit is highly perishable and it can only be found in one place, the rainforests of Brazil. It has only been in recent times and due to improvements in processing methods that this amazing nutritional fruit has been accessible throughout the world at all. However, different processing methods can either maintain the nutritional integrity of the fruit or destroy it so it is crucial to be aware if the product you are purchasing has been processed using the highest quality methods.
An inferior but unfortunately often used method of processing the acai berry is through “spray drying”. With spray drying the berries are heated to a high temperature to eliminate the water content. Food additives and preservatives are then applied to maintain the fruit. The bulk of the natural nutrients are destroyed by this combination of high temperatures and synthetic substances. Some of the naturally occurring bioactive nutrients will remain but the majority will be rendered inactive.
The superior method of preserving and processing the acai berry fruit is through a freeze-drying process. This method is implemented almost immediately upon harvest thereby retaining the bioactive properties of the berry when it is at its highest quality. The natural nutritional capacity, consistency and color of the berry are maintained and the resulting product is thereby superior. The berry can be reconstituted and brought back to its almost original form by adding water.
If you want to be assured that you are buying the highest quality acai berry products with the highest concentration of bioactive ingredients make sure that the product is processed by using a freeze-drying process or equal manner.
Acai berries are one of the greatest nutritional finds ever found so make sure that you are gaining the full benefits of this remarkable superfood. Make sure that the product you are purchasing has been processed using a freeze-drying method and that the berries are harvested in an organic manner.
