The acai berry is the newest health craze in America today. Although Amazonian tribes have been consuming the fruit for hundreds of years, it has only recently become a hot commodity in the American market. Two surfers from California can be credited with bringing acai to American attention after a trip to Brazil to celebrate the new millennium.

The two California surfers tried an acai smoothie and thought the combination of chocolate and berry tasted great. They discovered that acai was the perfect supplement for surfers because of the way it boosted their energy and cleared their minds. For two guys looking to catch just one more wave on the beautiful Brazilian beaches, what more could they want?

It was only a matter of time before the duo knew they had to somehow get this product into the American market. The benefits of adding acai to a healthy diet was something the U.S. consumers would love. Unfortunately the berry can easily go rancid within 24 hours of harvest, so in order to make it to American markets, it needed to be freeze dried or frozen.

The acai berry actually comes from the acai palm, a form of palm tree found in the rain forests of Brazil, Panama, Ecuador and several other countries. It is hardy while growing but rather fragile once picked, due to the fact that it is 30-50% fat and can go rancid within about 24 hours. The acai berry grows in clusters similar to grapes, and is a small, dark purple berry a bit bigger than blueberries.

There are many different rumors floating around the internet about this super fruit. Apparently an acai berry can do everything from curing cancer to shedding unwanted pounds within days. While the fruit isn't quite that super, it does have plenty of other benefits that make the acai berry worth adding to your daily diet.

Acai pulp and acai berry is chock full of many of the nutrients humans need to survive. It contains both amino acids and fatty acids, which are necessary for overall body health and function. It also contains some of the highest levels of antioxidants of any fruit. Antioxidants help fight free radicals in your body, which can cause anything from heart disease to premature aging.

You can also find plenty of vitamins and minerals in the acai berry. Though the levels of vitamin C are negligible, the levels of vitamin A are high. It also contains plenty of protein and fiber. While there haven't been many scientific studies to prove it, many people claim that acai can help boost energy levels, slow aging, boost your immune system and even improve focus and clarity of the mind. Some people also claim that it can help with weight loss, depression and arthritis pain.

Although most of the supposed benefits have not been scientifically proven, it is the general nutritional makeup of the acai berry that makes it a wonder fruit. With so many vitamins and nutrients necessary for the human body, the fruit packs quite a healthy punch for such a little berry. Either way, if you're looking for a tasty, healthy supplement to add to your diet, the acai berry fruit might just be the way to go.