If you follow the health food industry you have probably heard rumblings about a super food called Acai. Since Oprah featured the powerful berry as her #1 super food, people have been going crazy trying to get their hands on it. For those of you who are just learning about Acai, this FAQ will give you everything you need to know about this amazing fruit.

What is Acai?

Acai is a berry produced from the Amazonian Acai palm. The berry is most often purple in color and has a very large seed. The fruit is a staple of many South American's diets and is an essential trade and merchant item. The berry grows in abundance, with each palm producing two crops a year of 700-900 berries.

How do you pronounce Acai?

Acai is pronounced ah-sigh-ee

What are the health benefits of Acai?

Acai is the highest rated fruit or vegetable on the ORAC Assay, which is a procedure that tests the antioxidant power of food. Antioxidants prevent free radicals from damaging the body's cells. This means Acai can help fight cancer and other diseases, while making you look and feel younger.

It also contains Omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids which help fight high cholesterol, while improving your mood and increasing general brain functions. The fruit has also been called "Nature's Perfect Energy Fruit" and can provide a jolt of energy that is stronger and longer lasting, not to mention more healthy, than coffee.

What is the best way to take Acai?

Since the berry is frail it doesn't hold up well to transportation. So, unless you're lucky enough to have an Acai Palm nearby, or know a good Amazonian farmer, you will probably not be able to get a hold of fresh berries. This means you will have to get your daily fix of from Acai juice, Acai powder, or Acai supplements.

My favorite way to consume Acai is through the juice. It tastes so good that I would still drink it even if it wasn't so good for you. It has the taste of a berry and chocolate mix, and is very addicting. It's not very often that you find a food that tastes good and is healthy. This is why I consider Acai one of Mother Nature's greatest gifts.

Where can I buy Acai?

One problem with Acai products is that if the manufactures don't use the correct process they can destroy many of the nutritional benefits of the juice. If you buy the wrong product you could end up just buying an expensive bottle of grape juice.