Dr. Susanne Talcott from Texas AgriLife Research, and her partner/husband Dr. Steve Talcott have concluded a study using 12 healthy individuals that tested the human body’s ability to absord acai berry antioxidants. The results are a good sign for the Brazilian berry and the industry growing around it.

Blood and urine samples at 12 and 24 hours after consumption showed significant increases in antioxidant activity in the blood after both the acai pulp and applesauce consumption, she said. Both acai pulp and acai juice showed significant absorption of antioxidant anthocyanins into the blood and antioxidant effects. The research couple said future studies hopefully will help determine whether the consumption of acai will result in any disease-preventing health benefit and the proper serving sizes for a beneficial dose for people.

Talcott, who is assistant professor with the Texas A&M University’s nutrition and food science department, says the next step is to conduct studies that might link the benefits of acai berry consumption with any possible disease-fighting qualities. Afterall, a product often being sold under the title of “super food” should definitely have some science behind it’s claim.

Audio interview (mp3 format)
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Acai Roots, a leading supplier of 100% natural acai products, achieved 595% growth for 2006-2007. Based on 2008 Q1 and Q2 revenues, this company is on a fast track to post a three year 2677% increase. After moving to San Diego, three Brazilian friends missed the authentic taste, texture and style of their Rio-style acai, as well as the camaraderie of Brazilian healthy living. Acai Roots’ CEO, Igor Pereira says,

“We’re not only getting our authentic Rio-style acai products into the marketplace, but we are also helping to protect the Amazon rainforest. The demand for acai berries has created a sustainable agricultural industry and provides fair trade income to local workers. The acai palm trees used to be cut down for the heart of palm, and now they have a new life and purpose. Our families live and work in Brazil, and through Acai Roots, we too can give back to our native country. What started as a way the three of us could bring a taste of our energetic, healthy lifestyle to the US has turned into a business that is changing lives.”

I’m going to keep my eye on this company. On one side you have a couple of Americans (Sambazon) that visited Brazil and were impressed with the acai berry and it’s strong existence in Brazil. Then we have 3 Brazilians that now operate out of the USA (Acai Roots) bringing acai products to Americans.

If you read the press release about this product you will notice it takes somewhat of a sales angle that I personally agree with. It outlines that many of us rely on caffeine to pick ourselves up and hit the sack with a sleep aid of some sort or another. The comparison is made that our energy levels are like the stock market – constant ups and downs. Of course, that’s where Perfect Acai Revive comes into place. With no caffeine the energy derived from ingesting this product is from the natural energy of the acai berry.

This is where you have to take a step back and put the marketing aside. If the average person eliminated caffeine from their diets and had a healthy, rounded diet, would increased energy not be a byproduct of that? I’m a firm believer that general health is affected mostly by diet and regular exercise, I don’t think taking any single product is going to keep you energized in a healthy way. The acai berry has a strong reputation for being a great source of energy. Whether you’re talking to Brazilian surfers, the CEO’s of Sambazon or Oprah – they will all agree on that fact. Just keep in mind no one product is a “cure all”.

mor produces a line of nutrient rich beverages that are free of sugar and caffeine. Each can (12 ounces) contains a respectable blend of minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. What’s the most amazing part about this drink? Well, each can contains only 5 calories. That’s 32 cans of mor to your single 255ml can of Pepsi.

There are three flavours – Raspberry/Strawberry, Pomegranate/Lemon and Cranberry. What comes as a surprise to me is that each flavour contains acai berry, yet that doesn’t seem to be a major part of their marketing push.  While everyone else is jumping on the acai berry bandwagon, it seems mor Beverages is content with a small mention within the ingredients. None the less, considering all of the energy drinks that pass through my inbox, the products offered by more Beverages have definitely caught my attention.