May be asking for trouble but...

[ShiningStarr]

Has anyone tried this new Acai Berry stuff that is out there??? Is it a supplement? I have been hearing about it all over the place but I am not sure what it is suppose to do or where you can get it. Is it something that would compliment this way of life?? Just wondering!!

[GonnaGetThin!]

Re: May be asking for trouble but...

Acai berry juice is high in antioxidants, which are good for us. That's one of the reasons why dark green veggies and berries are so healthful. BUT! The acai berry isn't really that much more rich in antioxidants than blueberries are, and cost a lot more. Another consideration is that you can only get the juice, not the berries themselves, as the berries don't last long once harvested.

If you have the money, it won't hurt you to take it, but because it is pure juice and not the whole fruit, you get a lot of sugar and no fiber. I saw a bottle in Whole Foods this past weekend, it was $41 for a bottle that was about 3 cups in size. There are smaller bottles available with acai berry juice mixed with other fruit juices and sugar, generally for about $3 for a small single serving portion. Lots of sugar though, and only a small amount of acai in the mix.

Personally, I would rather eat a variety of fruits instead, this is just the latest superfoods fad item. It just costs too much relative to the benefits it might give you. There is another option, but most people drink the juice. You can buy dehydrated and powdered berries, available in capsules and as a powder. If I were to use the product I would probably go with the powdered dried berries since I would be getting the whole friut that way.

Whatever you choose to do, do some online research first and find out more about it beyond the hype that the various companies selling the product are trying to get you to believe. The least expensive place I saw the powder was through herbalcom.com at about $23 per pound. You can mix it in food or drinks, or fill your own capsules if you prefer the ease of taking a pill. You can buy a capsule filler for making your own herbal capsules. They generally hold 50 at a time, and though it takes awhile to fill the holder then then fill and cap the capsules, it is a lot easier than doing them one at a time and much less messy.

Herbalcom has a pretty good reputation and they have low shipping costs. I have used them before so I am comfortable endorsing the company. A lot of people who make specialty soaps and candles and whatnot use them as well as a lot of herbalists, which is how I found them. They were recommended to me. Their stuff is no frills, so simple plastic bags with labels instead of more expensive packaging.

[ShiningStarr]

Re: May be asking for trouble but...

Wow...thanks for the info....$41 dollars a bottle...that is CRAZY!!! I may look into the powdered capsule idea though....but I am not great at taking vitamins so I guessI will do some research...Thanks again!