You may not be 100 percent sure how to pronounce açai, goji berries, or mangosteen. And chances are, you got your first taste of pomegranate juice in the past few years. But if researchers, health experts, and some innovative entrepreneurs have their way, these age-old fruits from around the globe (pomegranates appear in Greek mythology, the Bible, and the Koran, for example) will be as common as cranberries and dark chocolate.
Emerging research is finding more and more unique health benefits from each of these four superfruits—from pain relief and cancer-fighting properties to immune-boosting power. Add to that the high antioxidant activity from the plant compounds they contain, plus off-the-charts levels of essential vitamins (e.g., goji berries have more vitamin C than oranges), and you’ve got a group of ancient foods that deserve a modern-day review. To help you figure out why each of these is so good for you, and—better still—how to start consuming them, we’ve put together this guide.
Açai
Background:
In the Brazilian rain forest, juice from the açai (pronounced ah-sah-EE) berry has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. The tiny, bluish-black fruit from Amazonian palm trees doesn’t travel well, so açai is found primarily in juice and powdered form outside of Brazil.
Why it’s super:
Açai contains 10 times The anthocyanins of red wine. Indeed, açai berries are “one of the richest fruit sources of antioxidants,” says Stephen Talcott, an assistant professor of food chemistry at Texas A&M University. The juice’s popularity soared after word got out that its antioxidant activity might have age-defying benefits. There is also scientific evidence for cancer suppression: In a test-tube study performed at the University of Florida, açai extract was shown to kill up to 86 percent of leukemia cells; human trials are in progress.
How to get more:
Açai juice tastes like a strong chocolate-berry combination. Drink the juice or concentrated extract straight or add to shakes and smoothies; açai is also widely available in powdered and capsule forms.
Product picks:
Cool off with a scoop (or two) of Sambazon Organic Açaí sorbets, available in Original Açaí, Strawberry Samba, and Mango Uprising. Or swap your morning glass of OJ for one of Bossa Nova’s five açai juice blends—Mango, Blueberry, Original, Passionfruit, and Raspberry.
Pomegranate
Background:
Pomegranates hold a prominent place in history: They’re mentioned in the Koran, celebrated in the Torah, and speculated to be the original forbidden fruit. (The word “pomegranate” is a derivative of Latin for “seeded apple.”)
Why it’s super:
The juicy, seedy gems have a new role to play as warriors against cancer. A 2006 study conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that consuming eight ounces of antioxidant-rich pomegranate juice a day can slow the spread of prostate cancer. “I’m not saying it’s a cure,” says Allan Pantuck, MD, an associate professor of urology and lead author of the study. “But there are a lot of reasons to recommend it and not a lot of reasons to avoid it.” Earlier studies also showed pomegranate juice to have significant health benefits in lowering blood pressure and preventing osteoarthritis and heart disease.
How to get more:
Drink the juice or concentrated extract straight, or use it to flavor sparkling water. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds over salads, or use to decorate cakes and tarts.
Product picks:
Give yourself a one-two punch against heart disease with Jarrow Formulas’ new Pomegranate + Blackcurrant Juice Concentrate; popular in Europe, black currant is a fruit that has more antioxidant activity than blueberries and is particularly rich in vitamin C. Or enjoy a bottle of Cell-nique Super Green Drink in Pomegranate—each serving is rich in green foods, vitamins, minerals, and herbs.
Mangosteen
Background:
Mangosteen is a deep reddish-purple fruit with a hard, woody rind that grows in subtropical climates. It’s prized in Southeast Asia and South America for its soft, snow-white segments with a delicate floral flavor and a texture akin to a plum (and no, it’s not related to the mango). But don’t go looking for mangosteens in the produce aisle: The U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits importing the fresh fruit, which can harbor pests (though you can sometimes find frozen whole mangosteens in Asian markets).
Why it’s super:
An Ohio State University study published in March 2006 examined mangosteen’s high levels of xanthones, certain antioxidant compounds occurring in greater amounts in the rind and seeds of this fruit than any other. These xanthones combat inflammation and free radicals (harmful ions that can contribute to cancer). The antioxidant levels found in mangosteen products are incredibly potent, believes A. Douglas Kinghorn, PhD, DSc, of Ohio State’s College of Pharmacy and lead researcher on the study. “If you drink a small amount of mangosteen liquid, it will have positive effects in terms of cancer prevention. I think it’s the most promising thing to come along in a while,” he says.
How to get more:
Look for mangosteen juice made from the whole fruit (the rind contains most of the fruit’s benefits). The juice has a tart, full-bodied flavor and rich, red color. Since it’s still new to the United States, the juice can be expensive, so sip it straight in small quantities or try one of the new juice blends. Add a dash to smoothies or dilute it with water or sparkling water.
Product picks:
Mango-xan from Pure Fruit Technologies contains 100 percent pure mangosteen fruit—try a serving after a workout for enhanced recovery. Or grab a perfectly portioned serving of this Thai fruit with XanGo Single, a new grab-and-go option from XanGo.
Goji Berries
Background:
Time Magazine called goji berries (pronounced GO-gee) “the breakout fruit of the year,” but these raisin-like dried berries or “wolfberries” have been used for centuries by Chinese cooks. Buddhist cooks also use rehydrated goji berries as a meat substitute in dumplings.
Why they’re super:
“Goji berry is a truly unique discovery,” says Nicholas Perricone, MD, dermatologist and author of Dr. Perricone’s 7 Secrets to Beauty, Health, and Longevity: The Miracle of Cellular Rejuvenation. Goji may be the only food known to stimulate the secretion of human growth hormone, which is thought to inhibit classic signs of aging, including wrinkles and susceptibility to disease, Perricone says. They also contain more vitamin C than oranges, more betacarotene than carrots, and more iron than soybeans or spinach.
How to get more:
Dried berries are readily available in health food stores and Asian markets. You can munch on a handful of dried berries or plump them in boiling water and use the same way you’d use raisins or dried cranberries (they taste like a slightly floral combination of the two) in cookies, cakes, oatmeal, yogurt, or cereal. The juice has a mild flavor; drink it on its own or add it to a smoothie.
Product Picks:
For a quick, low-calorie snack (only 100 calories), grab a handful of Heaven Mountain Goji Berries from Flora Health.
PURE FRUIT TECHNOLOGIES
For great health and beauty benefits, try these fantastic exotic fruit liquid supplements: Mango-xan Antioxidant Formula, Seabuck-7 Rejuvenation Formula, and Goji-zen Longevity Formula. Just one ounce a day of these powerful juices helps support the immune system, increases stamina and energy, and provides a bounty of powerful, freeradical devouring antioxidants, minerals, and essential fatty acids. And each great tasting superfruit blend is 100 percent natural, with no preservatives.
http://www.betternutrition.com/document/670
