What are these foods and do they really live up to all the acclaim?
Food manufaturers are marketing these three exotic fruits as "superfoods" that promise to increase energy, boost metabolism and facilitate weight loss. Here is the scoop on each:
Acai is a purple berry that grows in the Amazon jungles of Brazil. Acai is loaded with an antioxdant known as anthocyanin.
The goji berry is an Asian fruit that is typically sold in a dried form. It has antioxidant properties because of its content of beta carotene, lycopene and zeaxanthin.
Mangosteen is a sweet fruit that grows in the tropics and has a rind this is rich in antioxidants. In juice form this fruit has less antioxidant punch than less expensive juices, like pomegranate.
Bottomline: All three of these fruits contain healthy antioxidants but you don't have to spend extra money on exotic stuff. You can get just as much of an antioxidant boost by eating plenty of locally grown fruits and veggies.
Source: July-August 2009 IDEA Fitness Journal
