THE secret to long life and good health all boils down to the basics—what nature has gifted us with. With all the modern-day diseases threatening our health every day of our lives, what will protect us against all these are not synthetic medicines formulated in laboratories but superfoods that have actually been with us since the time of our forefathers.
One of them is acai berry. Small, dark purple berries that come from the acai (*pronounced ah-sah-ee), which is the tallest palm tree in the Amazon jungle that grows up to 80 feet tall, acai berries are considered as today’s king of superfoods because it is rich in antioxidants that combats cell damage by keeping healthy cells operating optimally and repairing cells attacked by free radicals from the pollutants around us. They cleanse the body of contaminants and have anti-inflammatory properties that help regulate stress and boost the immune system.
Acai berries also contain all the basic vitamins and minerals that our bodies need, such as Calcium, which strengthens bones, prevents fractures and help prevent osteoporosis; Polyphenols and Antocyanins that protect the heart and blood vessels and prevent heart disease; Sterols that may lower blood pressure; and Essential Fatty Acids that help reduce harmful LDL cholesterol. Acai berries also help heal ulcers due to their antibacterial properties, protect and repair the lower esophagus damaged by the acid-reflux disease called GERD with their broad array of antioxidants, promote the health of the colon and the entire digestive tract, and thwart retinopathy that often leads to blindness.
These powerful berries’ low glycemic index also makes them ideal for diabetics, apart from the fact that they help control appetite and delay hunger so that they can aid in healthy weight loss. Their regenerative nutrients help slow down aging, with phytosterols helping improve skin quality and defend against premature wrinkles. But their real power lies in their ability to thwart cancer, relieve asthma, reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s disease, and promote the overall well-being of the body.
All these health benefits contained in such small berries!
Studies have shown that these berries, which can be found only in the depths of the Amazon rainforests and have been a staple in the diet of the indigenous people of Brazil for centuries, are the secret to their long and healthy lives. The ‘discovery’ was made by Western scientists, who noticed that native Amazonians had such toned bodies and never got sick, so they asked them a lot of questions about their daily habits and ‘discovered’ the superfood acai in the process.
“They consume the berries regularly, and it is what they use to remedy aches and pains, from infection to stomach problems,” explains Cathy Salimbangon, vice president for marketing of Organique Inc., during the recent formal launch of Organique Acai Premium Blend held at Prime 101 Restaurant in Makati City.
A registered nurse by profession, Salimbangon worked in the Geriatrics field in the United States and Canada for several years. During the course of her work, she saw how lifestyle impacted one’s body and ‘discovered’ the acai berry as a superfood. This prompted her and her husband Elton, who worked in the nutraceuticals industry, to harness the powers of the superfood and make it available to their fellow Filipinos. Together, they worked on creating Organique Acai Premium Blend, the king of superfoods in juice form packaged in a bottle, in the U.S. and, in 2009, finally launched it as a U.S. made but proudly Filipino health product.
“It’s very important to be pro-active in taking care of your body. It is best to start while you’re young and to go for natural measures in taking care of your health as much as possible,” Salimbangon stresses.
Organique Acai Premium Blend is made from natural, wild harvested acai berries from the Belem region in the State of Para, where Brazil produces its “cream of the crop” acai drinks, and is formulated to the standards of native Brazilians. The berries, harvested by natives of the Amazon Basin, is shipped in frozen form to a manufacturing facility in California, which is known for its stringent regulation on food safety. Aiming to make Organique Acai one of the best acai berry drink blends in the world market, it is manufactured with the support of experienced and trained R&D chemists and microbiologists who are continuously developing products using the freshest ingredients and latest processing innovations.
A drink that has turned into a lifestyle for many, Organique Acai Premium Blend contains no artificial additives or preservatives. It’s a pure and potent blend enhanced with other natural juice extracts, such as organic evaporated cane juice, apple juice concentrate, acerola juice and green tea extract to create a smooth, healthy and delicious drink. Its recommended dosage is 30 to 60 ml. per day, which is best taken with an empty stomach in the morning. There is, however, no overdose in drinking Organique Acai, so some people actually increase the dosage, especially when they are down with colds, for example.
During the recent luncheon event, two celebrity “endorsers” and certified Organique Acai drinkers—health and wellness guru Cory Quirino, and TV personality and dance diva Regine Tolentino—talked about their experiences on taking the acai drink on a regular basis.
“I don’t eat anything cooked in the morning. I have a mini fast, and I do water flush. I put a little lemon and calamansi juice in my water and drink it, then I take 1/4 cup of Organique Acai. It’s not just a drink for me, but a lifestyle,” says Quirino.
Tolentino also regularly drinks Organique Acai with her whole family. “I noticed that from the time I started taking it, which was in August, 2014, I never got sick, not even with colds. She takes it in the morning but takes an extra dose in the evening when she’s had a drink too many in a party or she’s super tired from a Zumba session.
The two celebrities were joined by Salimbangon and Dr. Sonny Viloria, a medical doctor who has also trained in natural medicine. “Organique Acai has been in my clinic for six years now. I take 1/4 cup two to three times daily, and I recommend it to my patients. It’s a natural medicine, acai berry plus lots of water, and it has no side effects. Even very young children can take it,” says Dr. Viloria, who also says that aside from taking Organique Acai on its own, it is also good when combined with either Aloe Vera Juice or Buko Juice.
“There are no synthetics in Organique Acai, so what the body needs is what it gives you,” assures Salimbangon.
Organique Acai Premium Blend is sold in 946-ml. bottles at Php2,500 per bottle and is available at Mercury Drug, Pure Pharmacy, Robinsons Supermarket, South Star Drug and Watsons branches. It is also distributed in the U.S., Hong Kong, Japan and the Middle East.
