Rising U.S. sales of acai, a purple Amazon berry promoted as a “superfood” on Oprah Winfrey’s Web site, are depriving Brazilian jungle dwellers of a protein-rich nutrient they’ve relied on for generations.U.S. consumers are turning “a typical poor people’s food into something like a delicacy,” said Oscar Nogueira, who specializes in the fruit at Embrapa, Brazil’s agricultural research.

Açai boom puts the berry out of reach for those closest to it, Super Berry BELEM, Brazil – Long before the Portuguese colonized Brazil, the oily purple berry of the acai palm tree was a staple of native Amazon cuisine, with locals drinking its thick juice alongside fried river fish or sprinkled with toasted manioc flour.Virtually unknown outside this remote corner of Latin America’s largest nation until 15 years ago, açai juice suddenly is a global “super food,” riding high on claims it fights cholesterol, is an anti-aging… Acai is the latest fruit touted as a nutritional powerhouse Apr. 25 If Oprah can do for berries what she did for books, the acai berry is about to become a bestseller.The Brazilian fruit culled from the rain forests is purported to be the antioxidant to beat all antioxidants. Run a Google search on acai pronounced “ah-sigh-ee” and the words “destroys cancer cells” are the first to pop up.Seems the berry, featured recently on Oprah, has the power to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Acai juice is bursting with nutrients; But high and spreading demand is moving it out of Brazilian consumers’ reach Long before the Portuguese colonized Brazil, the oily purple berry of the acai palm tree was a staple of native Amazon cuisine, with locals drinking its thick juice alongside fried river fish or sprinkled with toasted manioc flour.Virtually unknown outside this remote corner of Latin America’s largest nation until 15 years ago, acai juice suddenly is a global “super food,” riding high on claims it fights cholesterol, is an anti-aging elixir and even acts.. it started at Whole Foods. The co-founder of the Fresh cosmetics company saw a juice made with açaí (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) berries and was intrigued. “I read the label and immediately started doing research,” he says. “Açaí has been known, especially in Brazil, for amazing antioxidant benefits. I thought it would be an amazing ingredient to use topically.” Antioxidants, commonly found in fruits and vegetables.