In a first to investigate the acai berry, the University of Florida found in a recent study that the fruit contained enough antioxidants to destroy human cancer cells.
This study showed that acai berry triggered a self-destruct response in up to 86 percent of the leukemia cells tested according to the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry where the results were published.
Acai berry’s provide a rich source of antioxidants which are key to fighting harmful radicals that can lead to cancer. The study was important in showing the importance of reasons why the acai berry should be part of a daily diet.
An very important thing to note here is that this study did not intend to demonstrate that the elements found in the acai berry can prevent leukemia in humans.
The benefits on the acai berry related to leukemia was never intended to raise any kind of false hope. The findings are still very encouraging however. Elements that have proven well in cell-culture trials have proven very beneficial when tested on humans.
Other fruits have proven similar results in killing cancer cells like mangoes, grapes and guavas. Scientist are still unsure what role antioxidants play in fighting cancer cells as there are other factors that come into play as well.
The fragility of the acai berry is the primary reason so little is known because they must be consumed shortly after they are picked. The process of extracting the important elements of the acai berry is new and has also delayed the process of researching in depth.
The Euterpe oleracea is the palm tree that produces the acai berry, and are commonly found along the flood plains of the amazon river. The color of the berry is a dark purple and the size of a blue berry. There is a large seed that is surrounded by an edible pulp encased in a thin layer.
The local people of the amazon have been using the acai berry to treat conditions ranging from skin disorders to digestive problems. recently, the acai berry has proven helpful in loosing weight and lowering cholesterol.
