Abundant with promises of good health and well-being, could the Acai berry finally be that one nature's gift that can save the day? Found in the heart of the lush Amazon rainforest, the Acai berry grows in clumps on top of 60 or so feet high Brazilian Acai palms. Its reputation as a food that "holds unique power" traces back to the heyday of the Yanomami Indians, now penetrating the health-conscious public that is readily amazed at its antioxidant and other nutritive properties.

And amazingly enough, renowned health figures - dermatologist Dr. Nicholas Perricone and heart surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz, to name a few - find plenty of reasons to deem the Acai berry as one "superfood."

The Acai Berry: Power Antioxidant

Perhaps the most hyped benefit of the Acai berry is its antioxidants, which is said to be 300% more than those of grapes and blueberries. The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) - a scientific measure of antioxidant capacity - for fresh Acai is valued at 5,500, a far cry from the ORAC of 2,400 in blueberries, 218 in apples, and 221 in bananas, to name a few.

Why the fuzz over antioxidants? Antioxidants have been related to a surge in youthful glow, stamina, and health. It fights damaging free radicals in the body, also helping charge your immune system as it wards off germs, bacteria, chemicals and pollutants in unfriendly surroundings.

Top natural health expert Dr. Joseph Mercola, however, examines the hype: the amount of Acai berry in a juice, capsule or supplements affects actual ORAC values. Acai berry is expensive, and the Acai product you are using may have loads of cheap flavorings in it.

Thus Dr. Mercola warns against inflated real ORAC values and misleading information on the fruit's benefits. Despite the good news Acai berry brings, he also still considers the Purple Defense and its resveratrol his best bet "in boosting long-term health."

Pro-Heart and Beyond

Apart from antioxidants, essential, and heart-friendly minerals abound in Acai berry. These include calcium, iron, and phosphorus, plus 20 percent of the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of Vitamin E in every single Acai serving. A 2005 study published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition also reports that the Acai berry is rich in anthocyanins, which are pro-heart chemicals also found in red wine.

Other components of the "superfood" include muscle-rejuvenating fatty acids (Omega 3, 6, and 9), organic dietary fiber, and photosterols, which help maintain optimal cholesterol levels and may aid promote healthy digestion.

The elderly, too, find an ally in Acai's pro-memory benefits. The fruit is believed to enhance memory and concentration, thus helping against the premature aging of the brain.

Acai Berry Has a Promised Eden, Too

The once-unknown jungle fruit also holds a number of promising benefits, which may completely come to light with more studies in the future.

Many diet plans are fast becoming centered on Acai, as shown in Dr. Mehmet Oz's diet that has the privilege of being endorsed by Oprah and TV show host-chef Rachael Ray. While the verity of its weight-loss claims need further studies, the Acai berry in itself has high-fiber content to help drop the extra pounds.

And are you looking into spicing up your sex life? The Acai berry is proposed to be one surefire way to do so, with many Brazilians said to be using it to enhance libido and increase sexual strength.

Still, Dr. Mercola says that the different hypes on Acai berry should be taken with a grain of salt. While this gift from the Amazon is one nutritional powerhouse, everyone should examine the Acai content in every product and the marketing practices behind it.

And, of course, optimal health isn't achieved instantaneously and with Acai berry alone. Dr. Mercola asserts that at the end of the day, exercise, a conscientious diet, and a good daily lifestyle are still part of the equation.