Acai (Ah-sah-EE)Said The Blind Man
October 31, 2008
Many of you have expressed what I’d describe as guarded curiosity about my last blog post on the newly researched Acai (ah-sah-EE) berry. But when Oprah gets on the bandwagon, we all have to stop and take notice. Oprah’s Dr. Perricone listed Acai as NUMBER ONE of his top 10 Superfoods.
I agree though. Suspicion is a healthy thing.
Anytime I get emails trying to convince me to try the lastest ThighMaster or the almighty Bowflex, I usually do one of two things. I either allow my eyes to glaze over and wonder what’s in the fridge
OR I hit the delete button.
But occasionally something revolutionary comes along that gets me all twittery inside. Spinning was one. The foam roller was another. Wonder Bras and Hanky Pankies come to mind. And don’t forget Starbuck’s Venti Skim Cappucino as another. The hoax-busters try to find the hoke in the hoax, to no avail.
Even still, I would have normally ignored these “Miracle Berry” promos. That is IF I hadn’t just arrived back home from a weekend at Canyon Ranch where their up-to-the-minute staff of physicians were extolling the virtues of this acai berry and other purple skinned fruits.
The acai berry, as well as other highly ranked ORAC foods are related to reduced risk of arthritis, muscle irritation, pain, and the aging of our skin.
Studies are being done around the world to find out the effects of Acai juice on diseases like cancer, heart attacks and cardiovascular issues.
These Canyon Ranch staff physicians are the very same doctors that I heard six long years ago quoting new research on the dangers of heating and freezing substances in plastic. Of course that took 5 more years until I actually heard what they were saying. I remember smirking when they said that I should only freeze or nuke food in GLASS! How inconvenient!
I was unwilling to throw out my Tupperware.
Fast forward to present day.
It took Cheryl Crow’s breast cancer assertions that plastic water bottles had leached toxins into her drinking water to get us to pay attention. I guess People Magazine carries more clout than cutting edge doctors with the American public. I feel pathetic!
Then the following year, those same doctors were recommending a test for CRP (C-reactive protein), which is a test that detects inflammation in the body and can be a marker to indicate heart disease before it shows up on standard cholesterol tests.
Back then, my doctor at home had never even heard of a CRP test, let alone administered it. Nowadays, all doctors worth their stethoscope will order this test as a general rule of thumb during physicals on baby boomers.
So I finally get it. Maybe it’s wisdom. The Canyon Ranch staff calls it the Butterfly Effect-which means that little lifestyle changes we make today can have a huge effect on our health in years to come.
I wish Cheryl Crow was with my Canyon Ranch group six years ago.
But now, instead of waiting for the FDA to post a warning or for People Magazine to feature some celebrity cancer survivor five years from now, I am trying to listen and follow their guidance more promptly.
Acai juice is expensive to make. But production of this native Amazonian berry has created many jobs for the people of Brazil, as there are several pulping and freezing factories located in the Amazon. The harvesting of the Acai berry is still done by hand to protect the rain forest. Acai berries need to be processed within 24 hours to avoid spoilage. A lot of workers will pick the berries fast in an effort to get them to the factory more quickly.
The reason I am putting my endorsement behind MonaVie is that they had the business acumen to patent their freeze-dry method for berry preservation so that the antioxidant benefits remain the same as freshly picked berries. No other company can use this preferred method of harvesting so other products have lesser nutritional benefits.
You will see other juices in stores. The cheaper ones are very diluted. The pricier ones in stores use a makeshift flash drying process that sacrifices nutrient content.
MonaVie will also only sell through distributors-no stores carry MonaVie and EBay type auctions are prohibited. That’s why I am getting on board.
And you can too. by emailing me right now.
Or you can wait to read about it in five years in People Magazine.
Comments
One Response to “Acai (Ah-sah-EE)Said The Blind Man”
Got something to say?
Sign Up for Special Insider Info and Tips!
A few days ago I wandered across your blog and have been following along. I felt I could give my first comment. I dont know what to write except that Ive really enjoyed reading it. Interesting blog. I intend to carry on visiting this website in the future. I have also taken your feed for updates.