Get the Real Skinny on Acai Berries and Belly Fat

Let's take this topic head-on, and instead of talking about all of the false claims about acai berries, we'll just stick to the basic facts. So what can the acai berry really do for you, and what are some facts about the properties of acai berries?

Most people have already heard the claims that acai berries are a super-antioxidant, which can be considered true. The acai berry, according to the ORAC, contains a much higher level of antioxidants than most other fruits.The USDA uses the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, or ORAC method to measure antioxidant capacities of different foods. But according to that same method, the coffee berry ranks as one of the most powerful antioxidants on the foods list. The marketers of acai berry products would have you believe otherwise.

But what are some of the other beneficial properties that acai berries can provide? Acai berries are high in Omega-3 oils and fiber. In combination with each other, these two will provide you with a fuller feeling, which - when eaten before a meal, can lower the amount of food consumed during the meal. This has helped fuel the claims that acai berries will lead to a slimmer waistline. However, along with any dietary supplement, a healthy, well balanced diet and plenty of exercise will do much more than any single "miracle" food. Let's face it, if we eat cookies, cake, ice cream and chips on a daily basis, even fire-roasted acai berries couldn't melt away those pounds. Reducing body fat has a direct correlation to reducing unhealthy doses of dietary fat. Replacing sugary snacks with healthy food choices like acai berries, you will gradually see a reduction in the amount of fat you store on your body.

Acai berries, like many other healthy fruits, should be considered a great source of nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber. While you shouldn't buy into the plethora of claims that surround the acai berry, supplements can be taken with the confidence that you will be receiving a healthy dose of antioxidants, as well as promoting a healthier you. All supplements should be used in addition to a well balanced diet that supports a healthy digestive system, which is key to staying in great shape.

Chamomile is More than Just a Sleepy Tea

Chamomile has been a useful herb for many centuries, and the inspiration for a plethora of literature on the flowering herb. It grows wild in many areas, including England, Germany, Asia, North Africa, and North America. Although there are several different types of chamomile, the conical centers of the common chamomile flower-heads have become the standard used in herbal medicine.

Chamomile is widely known for its tonic properties, and one of the most common ingredients in sleep aid teas and herbal sedatives. The flowers have a sweet smell, described by the Greeks as a "ground-apple". The Spaniards call it Manzanilla, which means "little apple". Not all varieties share the same smell, but it is characteristic of the common chamomile plant. It has been said that when placed near other plants that look "less-than-healthy", that it causes most other plants to become healthier within days. The overall health of a garden was determined by the number of chamomile plants growing within the borders.

In the past, it was used for many herbal remedies, many of which are no longer popular as medicinal uses. Considered a very useful herb in women's health, as it is both an emmenagogue and a diuretic, and therefore used during menstration by many women. It was also useful for nervous conditions, and helped in returning a woman from hysterics. It was also considered the only cure and preventative of nightmares, and still used today to induce calming sleep in children and adults. It is relaxing, soothing, and has absolutely no side effects, making it a natural mild sedative that can be taken safely.

For the elderly or those who have a weak appetite, it has been a useful appetite stimulant. Taking one cup of tea about an hour before a meal can greatly improve the ability to eat. When used with ginger root, it can ease indigestion, flatulence, colic, heartburn, occasional headaches, and increase appetite. The anti-diarrheal properties work well to bring normal activity to the bowels, and is a wonderful stomachic. On the flip side, if taken in strong doses it is an effective emetic. When used externally, chamomile was a popular anti-inflammatory, and used as a warm compress to ease the pain and swelling of open wounds, sprains, and bruises.

Are Herbs and Herbal Supplements Safe?

(Disclaimer: Consult your doctor about the safety of any herbs you plan to take. This article is for information purposes only and should not be substituted for the advice of a qualified medical practitioner, preferably one who is trained in herbal medicine.)

One of the most asked questions concerning herbs is "Are they safe?" Many of the herbs that you would find on your grocery store shelf in the tea and coffee section are proven to be relatively safe in the one serving tea bags, are subject to FDA approval, and generally very effective. For example, you can find echinacea tea in just about every grocery store, yet is highly effective for easing the symptoms of the common cold and the flu, and can shorten the duration of the illness. It can also provide a healthy boost for your immune system. However, when it comes to some of the more exotic herbs, or when choosing herbs from an herbal store, your choices should be well backed by knowlege of the herbs you purchase. Don't buy something that could affect your health just because everyone else is...remember the Fen-Phen fad?

There are some products on the market that contain ephedra, which for some people has cause heart problems, but for others can make breathing easier. Again, talking to your doctor would help understand your own body and to determine which types of herbs you should avoid. However, herbs such as chamomile amd green tea have relatively few (if any) side effects other than the wakeful effects of the caffeine in green tea. According to the FDA, if you find it on the shelf, it should be considered as safe as taking an aspirin. Some herbs even have fewer side effects than their pharmaceutical relatives, such as white willow bark - it has similar properties to aspirin, but without the stomach troubles!

Special care should be taken making herbal purchases online. While herbal and alternative medications in the United States are regulated by the FDA and therefore subject to the same safety standards as other over-the-counter medications, herbs sold on the internet may not be marketed by American companies, and safety standards could vary drastically in other countries. Herbs can be a great health benefit if used with care and knowlege. However, when determining the safety of dieting supplements, it should be noted that a healthy diet and plenty of fresh air and excercise can provide the body with the desired results of weight loss, as well as having other health benefits that are not easily replaced with a supplement, herbs, or vitamins pills. Knowing your own body is extremely important, for example if you have a pre-existing heart condition, you may want to avoid certain stimulating herbs. There is no substitution for education, and no supplement that can take the place of a healthy diet.

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