The high-flying fruit
Lynda Searby

July 2005

Mangosteen, açaí and pomegranate have been plucked from obscurity and lauded for antioxidant levels that put blueberries in the shade. Lynda Searby charts the rise of these ‘super fruits’

Several years ago, few people could spell açaí — let alone pronounce it.

Amazon Thunder açaí has been met with an overwhelming response. “Last year, we were calling people and explaining what açaí was, and they had no idea what we were talking about,” says Todd Reum, founder of Amazon Thunder. “Now we’re getting calls from people asking where they can buy our product."

While açaí’s deep hue and wholesome Brazilian beach image add to its appeal, it is the purported health benefits that are really making people sit up and take notice. But how much of that is rooted in hard fact?

As yet, no clinical trials have been carried out. What is known is that the berry contains abundant levels of vitamins A and C. Indeed the antioxidant content of Amazon Thunder's açaí is supported by ORAC tests, which have shown that the fruit contains twice as many antioxidants as the blueberry. For the purest form of no sugar added açai we recommend buying Amazon Thunder!