Acai Berry

JP Liz

anyone hear of this?

litup

I think like most berries it has good anti-oxident properties, I don't know much more about it though.

I do know that I drink pomegranate and acai berry juice from time to time and it tastes damn good!

EileenG

Much beloved by Gillian McKeith as a superfood,and I'm sure it has a high anti-oxidant rating, but it's so expensive that you are never going to get much value out of it. I've only ever tasted it dried, and I wasn't impressed, thought it had a rather metallic taste. You are probably better off buying mixed frozen berries or cranberries right now.

El_Dangeroso

Apparently they contain 10,000 times the amount of anti-oxidants of other berries. Meh, I don't really believe anti-oxidants are all their made out to be.. there has been no evidence that the feeding of anti-oxidants have any more than a weak correlation to a slightly longer average lifespan. It's a chicken and egg scenario, I propose that people who age faster have the higher levels of oxidative stress, but that the lack of antioxidants will not cause the oxidative stress in the first place, nor prevent it most likely.

We are adaptable creatures and are perfectly capable of living healthily in lots of places on the planet. Places that usually have ready access to water, other animals and plants. Anything more is surplus to requirements.

mrshappy

Hearing loads about this lately as a weight loss supplement - anyone tried it for this?

EileenG

It's a con. It's a berry. That's it. If you eat it instead of doughnuts, it can help with weight loss. Eat it on its own, and it will have no effect on your weight.

It claims to have lots of anti-oxidants, but there is no proof that these have any indication on weight loss. It certainly has no other ingredients that promote weight loss in any way.

I find it interesting that there is a mega advertising campaign on, with endless amounts of spam (I get almost as many offers for acai berries as to add three inches to my penis) but there are no studies to show any beneficial effects from them.

Sapsorrow

I'm aout to start aproject using FRAP analysis to determine the actual antioxidant content of some fruit and veg so as to compare it to the claimed quantities, was gonna do cruciferous veg but might do acai and gogi out of curiosity now! hmm..
Will let ye know the results if I go for them.

EileenG

khrystyna100 wrote: »

I'm aout to start aproject using FRAP analysis to determine the actual antioxidant content of some fruit and veg so as to compare it to the claimed quantities, was gonna do cruciferous veg but might do acai and gogi out of curiosity now! hmm..
Will let ye know the results if I go for them.

Can't WAIT to see those.

Sapsorrow

EileenG wrote: »

Can't WAIT to see those.

I know it'd be deadly to know, I'll find out tomorrow if it's possible to analyse them.

El_Dangeroso

khrystyna100 wrote: »

I'm aout to start aproject using FRAP analysis to determine the actual antioxidant content of some fruit and veg so as to compare it to the claimed quantities, was gonna do cruciferous veg but might do acai and gogi out of curiosity now! hmm..
Will let ye know the results if I go for them.

Oh. Oh. Oh, please do organic vs non-organic! Also maybe take into account sugar content which gobbles up anti-oxidants like they're going out of fashion. Please let us know the results!

Sapsorrow

Lol I'll try I have to suggest it to my partner and lab technician first and see if they like the idea!

EileenG

It's got lots of potential for publicity. There is so much rubbish about how acai berries will melt the fat off, that a bit of good research setting the record straight, should go into all the major newspapers.

Sapsorrow

If the results were very unusual it would be published but FRAP analysis isn't the best method to use really, it's just the assay type we got assigned so have to work with it but the results wouldn't be as credible as they might be using some of the other methods.

sesna

khrystyna100 wrote: »

If the results were very unusual it would be published but FRAP analysis isn't the best method to use really, it's just the assay type we got assigned so have to work with it but the results wouldn't be as credible as they might be using some of the other methods.

This could be your ticket to the big time

Sapsorrow

sesna wrote: »

This could be your ticket to the big time

Lol ya groundbreaking stuff altogether! I'll let ye's know anyway if they're up for it, it'll take a few weeks to get it done and do the stats up anyway. I hate this crap, have to do a report, a review and a bloody powerpoint presentation on it at the end! As if doing exams isn't bad enough!

Sapsorrow

No luck with the berries ladies, apparantly they're too brightly coloured and as the assay is dependant on a colour change we'd have to do too many dilutions of the solution to be able to see the change which would make it too innacurate sorry!

JohnnyRandom

I was just wondering if anyone hear has every actually taken acai. Just I'm hearing so much about it lately but I'd rather know more about it before taking it. Like I know you can't get the actually berry in Ireland because it goes off to fast so is the organic powder stuff or capsules any good?

EileenG

I've had the juice, and the dried berries. It's nothing special. Remember a few years back when blueberries were being touted as the answer to all your nutritional needs? Acai is the same, just more expensive. It's a berry. Get over it.

Stella777

I'm sure they are good for you. That said, I don't think they are a subtitute for healthy, balanced eating. If they were, would you see so many overweight people walking around? No, they'll all be eating magic berries and have perfect bodies.

What I'd love is a magic computer program that would automatically erase all the damned acai berry advertisements from the internet. Between those and the ones promising the secret to whiter teeth, I've just about had it.

JohnnyRandom

I do hate the white teeth ads myself I must admit. Thanks very much for your input. Think what I'll do is try and research the subject a bit more out of curiosity but if I end up getting any I'll let you know what I think.

EileenG

Hmm, I don't get the white teeth ones. I get lots of people telling me that women don't care about money as long as I have a 10 inch penis, and offering to give me one.

Transform

research!!!

Are you out of your mind - its a bloody berry.

Go get some blackberries or strawberries.

Its the super food equivalent of the ab king pro - great ad, packaged well, pormising lots and delivering very little.

dublinreg

Beware of the FREE product offer on some webpage links - like this one for instance ..........

http://www.weeklyhealthireland.com/latest/helencohen/dietbreakthrough/i1/index.php


If you dont read the small print in the T&C - they start to bill you for the full amount after the 15 day trial period has ended !!!!

Dont know if the product works yet or not !!!!!

Transform

whats there to 'work' its a bloody berry for gods sake. Please screw your heads on

Sapsorrow

Transform wrote: »

whats there to 'work' its a bloody berry for gods sake. Please screw your heads on

Hey whats with the agro!!??? If you're the expert show us something to back up your arguement or else live and let live!

ladyA

It is listed here as having a high level of antioxdants. However eating processed, unhealthy foods and then eating acai berries is not going to have any effect on your health.

ORAC units per 100 grams (about 3½ ounces)

Agel EXO Ingredients

FOOD ORAC Score
Acerola 70,000
Unprocessed cocoa powder 26,000
Wolfberry 25,300
Açai 18,500
Dark Chocolate 13,120
Milk Chocolate 6,740
Prunes 5,770
Agel EXO 3,848
Pomegranates 3,307
Raisins/Dark Grapes 2,830
Blueberries 2,400
Blackberries 2,036
Garlic 1,939
Kale 1,770
Cranberries 1,750
Strawberries 1,540
Noni Fruit Juice (pure) 1,506
Spinach 1,260
ViaViente Brand Juice 1,245*
Raspberries 1,220
Brussels Sprouts 980
Plums 949
Alfalfa Sprouts 930
Broccoli Florets 890
Beets 840
Oranges 750
Red Bell Peppers 710
Red Grapes 739
Cherries 670
Kiwi Fruit 610
Xango Brand Juice 621**
Grapefruit, pink 483
Grapes, White 460
Onion 450
Tahitian Noni Brand Juice 416*
Corn 400
Egg Plant 390
Cauliflower 385
Peas, Frozen 375
Potato 300
Sweet Potato 295
Cabbage 295
Leaf Lettuce 265
Cantaloupe 250
Banana 210
Apple 207
Tofu 205
Carrot 200
String Beans 200
Tomato 195
Apricot 175
Peach 170
Yellow Squash 150
Pear 110
Iceberg/Head Lettuce 105
Watermelon 100
Honeydew Melon 97
Celery 75
Cucumber 60

EileenG

If you are determined to buy acai berries, they are in Holland & Barret at the moment for 8 euro odd, and the second bottle is half price.

But honestly, looking at that list, I'd much rather have the dark chocolate.

Transform

khrystyna100 wrote: »

Hey whats with the agro!!??? If you're the expert show us something to back up your arguement or else live and let live!

I have done lots of work in this area for years so there is no agro just frustration that someone could be so focused on such minor details.

e.g. - http://thetransformationcatalyst.wordpress.com/2009/12/16/superfoods-to-slow-aging/

Majoring in minors is NOT the way to optimal health and sorry if i come across strong but when you work with a couple of hundred people every year for years a trend will form!

corkcomp

Transform wrote: »

I have done lots of work in this area for years so there is no agro just frustration that someone could be so focused on such minor details.

e.g. - http://thetransformationcatalyst.wordpress.com/2009/12/16/superfoods-to-slow-aging/

Majoring in minors is NOT the way to optimal health and sorry if i come across strong but when you work with a couple of hundred people every year for years a trend will form!

I know exactly where you are coming from, but I have to say it, you are wasting your time! - its obvious from reading through this thread that the quick fix mentality is still alive and well, and people would rather believe that an expensive berry is better than a bit of hard work and dedication!

edit|: maybe i am missing something here, but there is a paragraph about those bloody berries on the first page of the link you posted - not the best example IMO

Sapsorrow

Transform wrote: »

I have done lots of work in this area for years so there is no agro just frustration that someone could be so focused on such minor details.

e.g. - http://thetransformationcatalyst.wordpress.com/2009/12/16/superfoods-to-slow-aging/

Majoring in minors is NOT the way to optimal health and sorry if i come across strong but when you work with a couple of hundred people every year for years a trend will form!

I agree that the whole functional foods industry is generally a money making scam and haven't any time for the whole super antioxidant packed berry craze either but if you want people to see something from your perspective it's prob better to provide something to back your arguement up with rather than insulting them.
I don't get the link though what point are you making with it? You seem fairly keen on acai, gogi and cranberry as 'superfoods' that supposidly slow down the aging process yourself?? It doesn't really provide any info on the topic.
At then end of the day people who focus on these foods to find a 'cure' or magic bullet aren't really doing any harm to themselves other than to their own wallets fo let them off with it if it makes them happy.

Transform

khrystyna100 wrote: »

I agree that the whole functional foods industry is generally a money making scam and haven't any time for the whole super antioxidant packed berry craze either but if you want people to see something from your perspective it's prob better to provide something to back your arguement up with rather than insulting them.
I don't get the link though what point are you making with it? You seem fairly keen on acai, gogi and cranberry as 'superfoods' that supposidly slow down the aging process yourself?? It doesn't really provide any info on the topic.
At then end of the day people who focus on these foods to find a 'cure' or magic bullet aren't really doing any harm to themselves other than to their own wallets fo let them off with it if it makes them happy.

Wow your final statement was just stunning!

my point is that Acai berries are not going to matter a dam in the overall scheme of things. Yes they are a good food to include in your diet if you can afford them but are they more beneficial to you than say a few blackberries for a fraction of the price? Oh and you can pick them for free when in season. are they going to have as big a role to play in overall health than say fish oils? Hell no!

I have given you enough 'food for thought' and if you want to waste your money when it could be spent more wisely then good for you.

People who focus on the magic bullet will never find one and that is the function of a forum - to wise individuals up to that fact.

My clients success in terms of weight loss, performance and health improvments are all the proof i ever need as to whats worth looking into more and whats really important to do daily.

All the best and i never inteded to insult you in any way

Sapsorrow

Transform wrote: »

[/B]

Wow your final statement was just stunning!

my point is that Acai berries are not going to matter a dam in the overall scheme of things. Yes they are a good food to include in your diet if you can afford them but are they more beneficial to you than say a few blackberries for a fraction of the price? Oh and you can pick them for free when in season. are they going to have as big a role to play in overall health than say fish oils? Hell no!

I have given you enough 'food for thought' and if you want to waste your money when it could be spent more wisely then good for you.

People who focus on the magic bullet will never find one and that is the function of a forum - to wise individuals up to that fact.

My clients success in terms of weight loss, performance and health improvments are all the proof i ever need as to whats worth looking into more and whats really important to do daily.

All the best and i never inteded to insult you in any way

What exactly was wrong with my final statement? My point was that gogi berries aren't going to poison anyone and it won't take a person long to realise they're not doing anything tangible anyway so I'd imagine the vast majority of people would look elsewhere for solutions to their problems with time.

You are confusing me with someone who buys gogi berries and other functional foods so you didn't insult me!

True it is the point of the forum but like I said telling the poster to screw their heads on isn't going to enlighten them to anything really.

Overall we're singing from the exact same hymn sheet on this one anyway so you haven't given me food for thought apart from your list list of 'superfoods' that will defy the aging process(or so you reckon anyway)

I personally don't think focusing on functional foods or superfoods is the answer to any of our nutritional conundrums.

Inbred

In recent years, a small, purple berry from Amazonian Brazil has caused a major sensation among nutritionists and sportspeople. Previously unknown to the wider world, Acai had been a staple dietary component for people native to where it grows for many centuries. Thanks to modern methods of processing this fruit has become globally available, and has been hailed as one of the great all-round superfoods. It provides a wide spectrum of nutrition, including Omega fats, protein, dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals, and one of the highest antioxidant contents of any food.


Oxidation is a destabilising chemical reaction that scavenges electrons from a substance. In the human body this can create molecules known as free radicals, which can themselves trigger chain reactions capable of damaging or killing cells. Oxidative stress, as this is called, is believed increasingly by medical science to be at the root of many diseases. Our exposure to pollutants and environmental stresses is believed to increase the likelihood of oxidative stress damage, which is why nutritionists are convinced that we should fight back by eating foods known to be rich sources of antioxidant agents. Among the best of these is Acai berry.


While nearly a third of Acai berry’s mass is fat, the fats in question are oleic acid, the beneficial fat element in olive oil, plus linoleic acid, which is essential in our food for good health, and palmitic acid, which seem to cause no cholesterol buildup. Acai berry contains a wide range of amino acids, which results in a strong protein content. In addition to this, it also provides significant supplies of vitamins and minerals.


The wide-ranging nutrition of Acai berry makes it a food that nurtures and optimises the human body, strengthening its defences against disease, aiding recovery from illness and injury and underpinning our efforts to improve fitness and condition. Acai berry is now regarded as a staple dietary component for sportspeople, but it is equally useful to anybody seeking to live more healthily by adding a great all-round supplement to their diet.

Ok, enough of the marketing stuff, have a look at MonaVie, it works nicely. I can help you get hold of it too, just PM me.

EileenG

Inbred wrote: »

In recent years, a small, purple berry from Amazonian Brazil has caused a major sensation among nutritionists and sportspeople. Previously unknown to the wider world, Acai had been a staple dietary component for people native to where it grows for many centuries. Thanks to modern methods of processing this fruit has become globally available, and has been hailed as one of the great all-round superfoods. It provides a wide spectrum of nutrition, including Omega fats, protein, dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals, and one of the highest antioxidant contents of any food.


Oxidation is a destabilising chemical reaction that scavenges electrons from a substance. In the human body this can create molecules known as free radicals, which can themselves trigger chain reactions capable of damaging or killing cells. Oxidative stress, as this is called, is believed increasingly by medical science to be at the root of many diseases. Our exposure to pollutants and environmental stresses is believed to increase the likelihood of oxidative stress damage, which is why nutritionists are convinced that we should fight back by eating foods known to be rich sources of antioxidant agents. Among the best of these is Acai berry.


While nearly a third of Acai berry’s mass is fat, the fats in question are oleic acid, the beneficial fat element in olive oil, plus linoleic acid, which is essential in our food for good health, and palmitic acid, which seem to cause no cholesterol buildup. Acai berry contains a wide range of amino acids, which results in a strong protein content. In addition to this, it also provides significant supplies of vitamins and minerals.


The wide-ranging nutrition of Acai berry makes it a food that nurtures and optimises the human body, strengthening its defences against disease, aiding recovery from illness and injury and underpinning our efforts to improve fitness and condition. Acai berry is now regarded as a staple dietary component for sportspeople, but it is equally useful to anybody seeking to live more healthily by adding a great all-round supplement to their diet.

Ok, enough of the marketing stuff, have a look at MonaVie, it works nicely. I can help you get hold of it too, just PM me.

Do NOT spam or you will be banned.

Inbred

Sorry, I do apologise, I didn't mean to break any rules. Back to the T&C then for me.