nutrition facts

A recently completed University of Florida study has added to the buzz surrounding the Brazilian acai berry. The study is one of the first to research the many claims attributed to the acai fruit.

In it's study
six different chemical extracts were made from acai berry pulp
and each extract was prepared in seven concentrations.

At least 4 of the extracts killed a great many cancer cells when applied for 24 hours or more. Anywhere from 35 percent to 86 percent of the cancer cells were destroyed
depending on the particular extract and concentration.

According to Stephen Talcott
an assistant professor with UF's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
the study showed extracts from acai berries triggered a self-destruct response (apoptosis) in up to 86 percent of leukemia cells tested

Talcott
however
cautioned against reading too much into the results
noting that the tests were run against cancer cell cultures and not on human test subjects.

Still
the results are exciting. In the last year
the Brazilian berry has really taken off in the United States. It has also caught the attention of many companies who are now creating products that include the acai berry.

Although
acai berries are thought to be one of the richest fruit sources of antioxidants
other antioxidant rich fruits have been shown to kill cancer cells in similar studies.

Antioxidants are substances that may protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. Free radical damage is theorized to be one of the main causes of cancer. A sufficient amount of antioxidants are thought by many to short-circuit this process by interacting with and stabilizing the free radicals and may stopping the damage that they do to healthy cells.

Experts are divided on just what effect antioxidants have on cancer cells in the human body
because of the many other lifestyle factors that have to be factored into the equation.

Many anecdotal claims have been made for the acai berry. And traditionally Indians in the Brazilian rain forest have used it in ways as diverse as food
house thatching
drink
diarrhea
jaundice
fevers
and as treatment for many other health diseases.

The University of Florida study is a welcome step towards getting away from some of the claims of acai and subjecting it to controlled studies.

"A lot of claims are being made
but most of them haven't been tested scientifically
Talcott said.
We are just beginning to understand the complexity of the acai berry and its health-promoting effects."

It’s no secret that antioxidants are incredibly beneficial to good health. It’s believed the antioxidants in food can help prevent cancer
reverse or slow aging
enhance your immune system
increase your energy and improve heart and other organ health.

Given all we know about antioxidants and their beneficial properties
it’s amazing more people don’t get enough fruits and vegetables
the primary sources of antioxidants. Experts recommend a minimum of 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily
but say getting 7-10 servings is best.

There are 10 steps to getting more antioxidants into your diet.

1.Breakfast

Breakfast doesn’t have to be a hurried toaster tart on the way out the door. Throw some strawberries
100
juice and yogurt into a blender; pour your delicious mixture into a cup and head out the door. You’ve just added one to three servings of fruits to your daily intake. Or throw some berries onto your cold or hot cereal.

Say you truly have no time in the morning and usually grab something on the run. Even the Golden Arches can be some help here. Order a fruit and yogurt parfait and some apple slices. For about $2
you have a breakfast providing one to two servings of fruit.

2.Snacks

Here’s an easy way to get more antioxidants in your diet. How about a handful of raisins for a snack
or some fresh red grapes? Dip some strawberries in yogurt. You’ll feel decadent
but the berries provide the color you’re looking for. Need crunch? How about some baby carrots dipped in hummus? Consider a handful of pecans for crunch and a nice antioxidant boost.

3.Lunch and dinner

It might sound trite
but adding a salad to each of your main daily meals can add loads to your overall health and well-being. They don’t have to be boring
and they don’t have to be just salad greens. If you’re going classic
add some red pepper slices to your green salad
some tomatoes to the Greek salad
or tart cranberries to your field greens. Whip up a broccoli salad for lunch
or be adventurous and mix up a rice salad with a m้lange of fresh vegetables like string beans
tomatoes
peppers and red onions.

4.Dessert

Berries
with or without whipped cream or chocolate are a wonderful way to end your day of healthy
antioxidant-rich eating.

5.Beverages

Replace your soda with tea or coffee
both of which boast antioxidant compounds. Have a glass of wine with dinner
or for a real change of pace
pour a glass of chai tea.

6.Think outside the box

We know we can get our antioxidant fix from berries
salads and the like
but researchers say powerful antioxidants can also be found in a variety of unexpected foods
like russet potatoes
artichokes
and small red beans. The beans
in fact
may have more antioxidant power than blueberries
experts say. So to your rice salad full of vegetables
add some beans for even more antioxidants.

7.Cook lightly

You think you’re being good
preparing vegetables each night for your family’s dinner. But if you’re overcooking the vegetables
you’re cooking out a lot of the beneficial properties of the antioxidants. Steam (don’t boil) vegetables
and stop cooking them when they will have all of their bright color and most of their bite.

8.Plant a garden

Experts believe that people who plant and harvest vegetables from their own yards are far more likely to eat more vegetables and fruits than people who buy their produce from the store. So plant a garden
watch it grow and eat the fruits (literally) of your labor.

9.Take your healthy diet on vacation

Too many of us consider going on vacation an opportunity to take a vacation from everything
including healthy eating. Think of vacation as a way to be introduced to new foods. Order an interesting vegetable dish in a restaurant and then pay attention to how the chef prepared the dish.

10.Learn to cook

If you’re cooking
you’re not opening bags and boxes. Cooking involves scrubbing and peeling vegetables
preparing whole foods and paying attention to how things are cooked. If you’re ordering out every night
you’re far less likely to be eating the whole foods and natural fruits and vegetables that provide the base for our antioxidant intake.