It’s the new buzzword in alternative health. Amazon Acai, the little berry that could, and apparently does in a large way, is fast finding a new audience in the United States after generations of enjoyment in South America. Aside from its delicious, tart flavor, acai berries are rich in protein and perhaps one of the most abundant sources of antioxidants, know to right free radicals that cause bodily damage. According to the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, extracts from acai had been shown to assist in the destruction of certain cancer cells. While not a cure for cancer, acai is widely believed to assist in improved well-being and health.
As our collective consciousness continues to turn toward healthier eating, food and beverages containing acai are finding their way into grocery stores and convenience marts. Once an occasional item in an organic or alternative health market, acai juices in particular are now shelved in the produce sections of chain stores. Usually priced between three and five dollars, many of these brands purportedly containing pure acai juice, and perhaps a blend of extra ingredients for flavor. Acai juice is normally a deep purple or very dark maroon color, depending on its consistency, and the taste closely resembles a deep blueberry without too much tartness.
If you are looking to improve your diet, adding a serving of acai juice to your menu can help boost your antioxidants and allow your body the benefits of what O Magazine once touted a “superfood”. Which brand of acai to select, however, may be a personal preference, but the next time you’re at the market consider the following recommendations:
Bossa Nova – Contained in this company’s shapely glass bottles are five possible flavors to enjoy: original acai, mango, blueberry, passionfruit, and raspberry. Take note that the original version is not solely acai, but also contains agave, as do the others. Of the three flavors sampled, the mango is perhaps the sweetest by virtue of the added fruit juice, and the original is bold where the blueberry flavor inspires a pucker. Priced around three dollars per two-serving bottle, Bossa Nova makes for a nice acai treat.
Bom Dia – The Bom Dia plastic bottles very closely resemble those of competing juice brands like Naked Juice, but are easily distinguished by their dark purple colors. Bom Dia offers no straight acai, but three versions blended with Cacao, Mangosteen (another fruit indigenous to the Amazon), or the high-antioxidant pomegranate. As a drink, Bom Dia seems to tease the palate with thicker substance than Bossa Nova, which is a very smooth juice. Of the two flavors sampled, the pomegranate blend is superior to the cacao, left an odd aftertaste.
Sambazon – These bottles may be more recognizable on produce shelves, by their bold purple or green labeling. If you patronize certain smoothie chains like Planet Smoothie, you may notice Sambazon is the brand of choice used in acai drinks. Indeed, in addition to the bottled juices and smoothie drinks, you might find acai smoothie pulp available in the frozen foods section of certain organic and health groceries.
AcaiGogo – This brand is not a bottled juice, but a unique presentation of powdered acai for drinks. Similar to the Crystal Light single-serving drink straws, AcaiGogo boxes thirty packets of acai powder to blend with hot and cold drinks, thereby adding the antioxidants and flavor of acai to juice, tea, coffee, or anything at all. Complementing certain juices and ades, AcaiGogo doesn’t overpower other flavors, and purportedly offers the same benefits of acai juice. The only thing you want to watch for is clumping, particularly when mixing with cold beverages.
Zola Acai – This boxed juice comes in a festive package that hearkens the decadence of Rio’s Carnivale. When served cold, the juice is good but a bit pulpy, and the packaging may prove a challenge for some if you don’t have a straw handy. Zola offers juices in original, and pineapple and blueberry blends.
For an extra, healthy “oomph” to your regular eating regimen, an acai serving a day may help keep the germs away. Getting the purple berry’s goodness is easier to do, and once you find your favorite you can definitely enjoy the benefits of this incredible food.
