The Acai Berry is the small dark purple berry of the Amazon Palm that grows in the rain forests of Brazil. Used by the local indigenous population of the Amazon forests for hundreds of years as an aid to well being and weight control, the Acai Berry is now being hailed as one of the worlds new super foods.

The reason for the accolade as the new number one super food is because it is so rich in antioxidants. Up until recently Blueberries held the crown as the worlds number one super food, but pound for pound, Acai actually has many more times the antioxidant content than Blueberries.

But it is not just the high concentrate of antioxidants that have earned Acai the title of number one super food. It is also the huge range and variety of other vitamins and minerals that it contains that so far clearly outweighs that found in any other naturally grown plant or plant extract.

Amongst Acai's rich load of antioxidants, vitamins and mineral, it also contains Anthocyanins which can preserve the antioxidant content of food after it is ingested. Red wine was recently hailed as a well-being aid because of its Anthocyanins content, but it is now known that Acai contains somewhere between 30% to 40% more.

With its rich content of Omega oils (Omega 3, 6, and 9), the acai berry is also rich in fiber with 45 grams out 100 grams of Acai. It also has 19 different amino acids and proteins which promote the growth and health of body tissues. The list goes on with revelations that it contains three various plant sterols that encourage heart health and aid digestion, plus amounts of vitamins B1, B2, B3, C and E. And to top it all, it also contains levels of the minerals potassium, calcium, copper, magnesium and zinc.

It now is quite obvious why the acai berry is so critically acclaimed.

Due to the fact that the acai berry is so nutritionally rich, richer than many other single food sources, it has been said to do many things, most of which are overstated truths made up by companies who desire to sell more products and increase profits.

The following are among the health benefits acai is said to have:

Increased energy Improved digestion Sharpened mental focus Sleep assistant Body detoxification Immune system support Heighten sexuality Slows aging Support clear healthy skin tissue Relieve diabetic symptoms Regulate cholesterol levels Support healthy heart function Boosts circulation Improved vision

Much is being made of publicity given to Acai by Oprah Winfrey on her talk show some while ago, and this has resulted in a burst of furious activity by the marketing gurus who have promoted started promoting a diet based on Acai Berry.

The truth of the matter is that there is no such thing. Good as Acai is in some areas and colon and digestive cleansing is one of them, whilst this may aid weight loss, it does nothing to stimulate it. The only effective way of losing weight is go on a weight loss program like Medifast.

Medifast was created by medical professionals and designed to enhance and improve the way that people lose weight. It is clinically proven weight loss system that ensures that you lose weight the healthiest and most efficient way possible. It consists of 70 specially constructed meals that have been chosen because of their calorie, carbohydrate and fat contents.

It is designed to help you lose between 2 and 5 pounds per week.

This is exactly the sort of thing that Acai can work with, but cannot replace. Programs like Medifast are hugely necessary to stimulate weight loss in the first place. Acai may help, but only psychologically by increasing general well being.