If you’re like many people, a few short years ago you had never even heard the word, much less knew the answer to "what is acai?" Then Oprah talked about the amazing acai berry, it made the evening news, and books were written in its name. But in case you missed the media blitz, here’s a brief summary to answer the question, "What is acai?" and why you need to know.

An Amazon Rainforest "best kept secret"

Though it’s certainly no secret that the Amazon is home to a plethora of medicinal plants and herbs, it wasn’t until the 1990’s that the western world discovered one of its best kept secrets – the acai berry.

Found hanging from the branches of a palm-like tree, the acai berry is a violet colored berry with a grape-like shape and is about the size of a large blueberry. The nutrients are found in the pulp and skin which are only a small part of the berry. When it comes to taste, it is similar to a blend of berries and chocolate. The taste alone could make it a popular choice in most any diet, but a yummy taste isn’t what makes the acai berry such a sought after fruit.

Some experts tell us the acai berry is a powerful food rich in nutrients and antioxidants. Actually, the acai berry is significantly higher in antioxidants than red grapes – as much as 15 to 20 times higher. Health professionals have long emphasized the importance of a diet rich in antioxidants and now it appears the acai berry can help fill the bill. Here are just a few of the tremendous benefits of acai:

Provides increased stamina and energy.

Anti-aging agent and inflammation fighter.

Lowers cancer risk.

Strengthens the immune system.

Protects the cardiac system.

Cleanses the colon.

Increases sexual desire.

When you consider the tremendous health benefits, it’s easy to see why the acai berry has peaked in popularity. But another explanation for the acai craze is the acai berry’s substantial weight loss properties.

Acai berry and weight loss

However, the acai berry is not a magic weight loss pill. It has been shown to increase metabolism which of course, burns more calories which leads to weight loss. Acai is rich in essential fatty acids such as Omega-3 and Omega-6, amino acids and phytosterols. When combined, these elements make for a powerful fuel for fat burning.

Though with all the recent media attention one could easily get the impression that this little berry is the weight loss Holy Grail, there is not sufficient scientific evidence to support that idea. Scientists are just recently coming to an understanding on how acai contributes to better health.

However, weight loss has been observed when acai is combined with a sound nutrition and exercise. And if it proves to be as powerful as other disease fighting plants of the Amazon, the question "What is acai?" will become obsolete.