AÃ§ai: The Flavour of Brazil

With the 2014 FIFA World Cup happening, intense training will be in full swing in Brazil. And both those who are playing, and those watching from afar, are stocking up on açai for use on and off the field.

Açai (pron. a-SIGH -ee) has been popular with soccer players in Brazil for years (it's a wonderful local source of energy since it comes directly from their rainforests). Many have been known to have a large helping of açai berry pulp before their games as it is an excellent source of carbohydrates, vitamins, antioxidants and other types of beneficial nutrition. Most importantly for top athletes, the antioxidants provide a sustained energy boost, perfect for running around a soccer pitch at high speed.

From the stadium to the hot beaches, açai will be everywhere during The Cup; it's consumed more than milk by the locals. No wonder they have that vivacious Brazilian flare.

But even for those not playing, it's a great source of stamina for early morning game watching. With many of the games screening between 2am and 6am Australian time, it's going to make for some long days at work. An açai smoothie or bowl could be the perfect natural way to stay awake without plying yourself with synthetic energy beverages.

Amazonia's açaí berries pack a nutritional punch with 42 times the antioxidants of blueberries. They are grown deep in the Amazon, far from the toxins of modern life and are hand harvested by climbing trees. It doesn't get any more natural than that.

Both those on the sports field and off can use it to receive sustained energy. "It doesn't just give a spike, like sugar or artificial stimulants, it gives you sustainable wholefood b vitamins and nutrients your body assimilates and uses over a longer period of time." says Dwayne Martens, CEO of Amazonia.

Açai also contains a number of non-essential amino acids which may assist with nervous system functioning, immune system issues, toxin removal and improved brain function. "It helps different people in many different ways, not just for increased energy." says Martens.

Amazonia açai is available in freeze dried powder, frozen berries and puree.

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