Health Benefits of the Acai Berry

The Acai berry has been used for its medicinal effects for hundreds of years in Brazil, and more recently has taken over the health food industry as one of the most popular berries to consume. But how is the açai berry used for health, what is its origin, and what is the best way to consume it?

Health Benefits of Açai

The açai berry has been used to treat cholesterol, erectile dysfunction, arthritis, and for detoxification. Although the jury is still out in regards to the medical community’s support, açai berries are still regularly consumed for their super food benefits. Additionally, fitness experts recommend consumption of this fruit on a regular basis in order to improve general health and to maintain a healthy weight. The following additional benefits are also possible with açai.

• Excellent antioxidant rich vitamins and minerals.
•  Contains several anti-aging, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory chemicals.
• Rich and vitamin B complex which contributes to the breakdown of carbohydrates and certain fats.

The Origin of Açai

As mentioned earlier, the açai berry is harvested from a palm tree that is native to Brazil. South American tribes have been using açai to treat different ailments for hundreds of years. The popularity of the açai berry gained traction with Dr. Nicholas Perricone who discussed the tremendous health benefits from the berries on the Oprah Winfrey show.

Sidewalk Juice's New Acai Bowl

Smoothies and Acai Bowls

Due to the potency and texture of the açai berries many health experts recommend breaking it down into either smoothies or a açai bowls. Açai bowls became strictly popular in South America and then were imported into Hawaii. Now it seems that the mainland has taken to this new way of consuming açai berries. 

Smoothies can contain virtually everything that açai bowls do with the exception of granola. Either way you consume them, açai berries will give you energy and improve your overall health.

Why is Green Energy Hella Good?

Ever wonder why Green Energy is one of our most popular drinks? Besides being packed with tons of nutrients and taste, this drink does exactly what it's called. Give you energy! We all can get slugglish from time to time and sometimes caffeine may not be the best option. Green Energy gives you the energy while supplying your body with all the nutrients it needs to sustain that energy. We have carefully picked our ingredients to give you the healthy boost you need. 

Here is a little break down of the fresh ingredients we use and why they are hella good for you.  

Spinach-

One of spinach’s more well-known health benefits is fiber.  One cup of spinach accounts for 20% of our daily dietary fiber alone which aids digestion to prevent constipation, maintains low blood sugar levels, and can also curb overeating.  Spinach also has anti-cancer properties called flavonoids.  This property slows the division of these cells.  

Parsley-

Parsley is packed with essential vitamins C, B 12, K and A which keeps your immune system strong, nurtures your nervous system and tones your bones.  Parsley is a key herb for supporting healthy kidney function as it helps flush out excess fluids from the body and can help control blood pressure with the folic acid that it contains. 

Kale-

Kale is one of the greatest super foods there is.  It is extremely low in calorie and has zero fat. Much like spinach, kale is great for aiding digestions with its high fiber content and contains more iron than beef which is very important for healthy cell growth and proper liver function.  It’s also packed with vitamins A, C, K, calcium, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids.  

Celery-

Celery is a great aid in weight loss because of its filling fiber and low calories.  It also helps flush out any excess fluid from the body with its high potassium and sodium content.  Celery is very good for your immune system and contains lots of vitamin C.

Cucumber-

Cucumbers are an excellent source of vitamins B, B1, B6, C, and D, folate, calcium, magnesium, fiber, and potassium.  What does that mean for you?  Well, with the high content in fiber, cucumbers are used to aid in weight loss and digestion and are very effective in ridding the body of toxins.  They also help promote joint health, relieves gout, arthritis pain, reduce cholesterol, and controls blood pressure. 

Apples-

We’ve all heard the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.”  But why?  What are in apples that keep us so healthy?  Eating apples and drinking apple juice fights against the effects of aging on the brain which means apples can directly affect Alzheimer’s and Parkinon’s and possibly keep it away.  In addition to your brain, apples have a direct affect on your pancreas.  Eating apples can reduce your risk of pancreatic cancer by 23% and studies have shown that women who eat at least one apple a day are 28% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Eating apples is heart-healthy, lowers cholesterol, controls your weight, detoxifies your liver, boosts your immune system, and neutralizes digestion and irritable bowel syndrome. 

Lemons-

Have you ever felt the sting of lemon juice on an open wound?  The sting is actually the citrus in the lemon trying to fight against infections in your body and around your wounds.  Eating and drinking lemons will allow the citrus to fight any infections that are inside your body.  Lemons also help lower cholesterol and increase the levels of HDL which are the good cholesterol.  Lemon juice can relieve gingivitis, stomatitis and inflammation of the tongue.  It is also preventative for the common cold, urinary tract infections, can relieve colic pain, gastric problems, can prevent and cure osteoarthritis.  

Ginger-

Ginger is great for all sorts of remedies to preventative treatment.  Ginger is a helpful remedy for morning sickness, motion sickness, heartburn, migraines and menstrual cramp relief.  Ginger is also used to prevent diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage) and can also prevent the cold, flu, ovarian and colon cancer.