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 is a common misconception that coconut oil is bad for you. People all over the world are experiencing the healthy benefits of using coconut oil. It is actually one of the healthiest oils you can consume. Here are the top seven reasons why you should use coconut oil as an alternative to other common cooking oils.

1. Coconut oil doesn't turn to fat in your body.

Unlike many other common oils
like soy (vegetable) and corn
coconut oil won't make you fat. Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCT)
which are an easy fuel for the body to burn
without turning to fat. Most other cooking oils and fats contain long-chain triglycerides (LCT). LCT's are usually stored as fat. Since coconut oil is a MCT
it is more easily absorbed and converted to energy quicker.

People in the tropics have relied on coconuts as a traditional staple in their diet for centuries. They consume large amounts of coconut oil every day. Instead of getting fatter
it helps them stay healthy
lean and trim. When they switch from coconut oil to our modern oils
they develop obesity and the health problems that our modern society faces.

Some other people who have known this truth for a long time are people who are in the animal feed business. When livestock are fed vegetable oils
they put on weight and produce more fatty meat. When they are fed coconut oil
they become very lean.

2. Coconut oil increases your metabolism.

Not only does coconut oil convert to energy quicker in your body
it increases your metabolism
which promotes weight loss. Because it boosts your metabolism
it helps your body burn fat more effectively.

Coconut oil may triple your calorie burn. Since coconut oil is a MCT
it is converted to energy so quickly that it creates a lot of heat. In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
MCT's burn three times more calories for six hours after a meal than LCT's.

The February 15
2005
issue of Woman's World magazine stated that coconut oil is the "underground high-metabolism secret."

This is great news for people who have thyroid problems
since coconut oil improves sluggish thyroids by stimulating the production of extra thyroid hormones. Most other common oils
like vegetable (soy) and corn have been shown to inhibit thyroid function.

3. Coconut oil has omega 3 fatty acids.

Most cooking oils contain omega 6 fatty acids
something we get way too much of in the United States. Our omega 6 to omega 3 ratio should be 1:1 but it is more like 50:1. We need to drastically cut back our omega 6 oils and consume much more omega 3 oils to be healthy. And coconut oil is filled with these healthy omega 3 fatty acids.

4. Coconut oil gives you energy.

Because of the healthy omega 3 fatty acids and the fact that it increases the metabolism
most people that switch to coconut oil feel a burst of added energy in their daily life.

This is because coconut oil is nature’s richest source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT's)
which increase metabolic rates and lead to weight loss. MCT's promote thermogenesis
which increases the body's metabolism
producing energy.

This is because coconut oil is nature’s richest source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT's)
which increase metabolic rates and lead to weight loss. MCT's promote thermogenesis
which increases the body's metabolism
producing energy. Many people with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia have found that adding coconut and coconut oil to their diet was helpful to them.

5. One of the best things you can use on your skin and hair is coconut oil.

Coconut oil one of the best things you can apply directly on your skin and hair. It gives temporary relief to skin problems like rashes. It aids in healing and restoring skin to a younger appearance. It has also been known to help with people who suffer from yeast infections in the skin
as well as many other skin problems.

Not only does is soften and smooth your skin
coconut oil has antioxidant properties that protect the skin from free radical damage. Coconut oil makes excellent massage oil too.

6. Coconut oil has healthy benefits that most other oils do not.

Evidence is mounting that coconut oil has anti-fungal
anti-bacterial and anti-viral effects when both consumed and used topically on the skin.

Most oils oxidize and turn rancid very quickly causing free radical damage in our bodies. Coconut oil is not easily oxidized and does not cause harmful free radical damage like polyunsaturated vegetable oils. Free radical damage is thought to be responsible for many ailments in our body from arthritis to increased susceptibility to cancers.

Coconut oil also helps our bodies absorb other nutrients more effectively
such as Vitamin E.

7. Coconut oil is one of the best oils you can use for cooking.

It has a higher smoke point than olive oil
which means it can take higher temperatures better. There are several healthy omega 3 oils we can choose to consume
such as flax and olive oil
but they don't do well under the high heat we use for cooking. Coconut oil can be used in higher cooking temperatures.

It is harder for coconut oil to go rancid
unlike other cooking oils
which are usually rancid long before you even bring them home. Rancid oils cause free radical damage in the body
which is a leading cause of cancer. Coconut oil is stable for over a year at room temperature.

Because of the misinformation we have been given for years
we have lost out on the healthy benefits that coconut oil has given the people of the tropics for centuries. But now it has been rediscovered! Coconut oil is so effective
it won't be long before we see coconut oil supplements promoted
but you can get the jump on the popular crowd and start consuming and cooking with coconut oil today!