Studies Show Cancer Cells Die With Acai Berries

A study that was recently conducted in Gainesville, Florida has shown that the acai berry extract is killing cancer cells that have up to now have been resistant to other experiments. This study at the University of Florida is among the first to study what the acai berry can do.

In this test, leukaemia cells were exposed to acai berry extract, with the surprising result that 86% of the cancer cells self-destructed. Acai berries were already known as one of the best sources of antioxidant compounds, but this study’s findings are truly extraordinary. An assistant professor at the University of Florida (in the Institute of Food and Agricultural Services) was able to confirm for us that this figure of 86% was indeed the case.

Other fruits may also contain antioxidants which can kill leukaemia cells, but all of the research done to date is only preliminary, as there are other things which need to be taken into account. The figures yielded by this first study, however show great promise.

The Australian public has quickly gotten on the acai bandwagon, with great popularity present for a diet rich in tropical fruits such as acai, noni, goji and mangosteen. There are quite a large number of promotions ongoing for juice products made from these fruits. Many of these fruits have been found to be high in antioxidants.

A study in Brisbane, Australia in March of 2008 has focused on the differences between the juice type antioxidants and the olive leaves antioxidants. While the results found in the olive leaf have very promising results when it comes to containing antioxidants, the studies with the acai berry are far more conclusive.

One study in particular that is yielding very interesting results is on these fruits and cancer. Just as the United States is working very hard to find a cure for cancer, leukaemia in particular, Australia is doing so as well. The hard, cold facts are that leukaemia is the number one killer of children under the age of 20 the world over. Studies have not been conducted yet on the effects of preventing leukaemia or any other cancer.

The research done thus far is very rudimentary and more studies must yet be done to learn more about the properties of these fruits in fighting cancer cells. The acai berry alone contains somewhere between 50 and 75 compounds, many of which are relatively unknown. The acai berry is extremely perishable, which makes it a difficult subject for study.

The acai berry is roughly the same size as a blueberry and is dark purple when ripe. They contain a single seed and decompose rapidly if not frozen or used straightaway. Since this berry is native to the Amazon River basin, freezing these berries for a long trip is not always a viable option.

To be imported all the way to Australia, acai powder works best. This is produced from acai berries by dehydrating and then freeze-drying acai pulp. Far easier and cheaper to export than are the ripe berries, this powder can then be used in all sorts of nutritional supplements and foods. The powder contains all of the same nutritional and health benefits of the fresh berries.

The research is still very much in its infancy, but the hope is there that someday leukaemia will meet its match in the form of a cure. Leukaemia is a disease which strikes more children than adults – and this is spurring the world to search especially hard for a cure to this form of cancer.

Author: Mr Americo Tognetti is astounded by the acai berry because it provides such a boost to everyone through the Acai Fruit Powder.

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Category: Acai Berry