By now everyone has heard of the acai berry, found mainly in the rainforests of Brazil, now known to be a super fruit for the amazing range of benefits that it offers. The range of vitamins and minerals present inside make it among the healthiest options for those looking to improve their quality and length of their life. Because it is all natural, it offers a superior level of absorption and benefits that manmade vitamins and compounds cannot even come close to matching.

The list of vitamins and nutrients found in the acai berry read almost like a multivitamin, but it is all natural. It contains glucosamine to promote healthy cartilage as well as Vitamins A and C, protein and potassium for healthy eyes and skin. There are also abundant amounts of calcium, amino acids, phosphorous and iron. This is in combination with the ability of the acai berry to fight free radicals that have entered our bodies, as well as its ability to increase energy, fight insomnia and even attack cancer-causing cells. Reading MonaVie reviews reveal that the products they sell truly offer something for everyone.

Realizing that not enough people aware of the benefits of the acai berry nor were they in a position to take advantage of its many benefits, MonaVie opened in 2005 focused on disseminating not only high-quality acai products but also information regarding how acai can improve your overall quality of life. Since that time, MonaVie quickly topped $1 billion in annual sales and is among the top 20 fastest growing companies in America. In the food and beverage category, MonaVie is ranked first, a reinforcement not only of the quality of the product but also of the company’s commitment to service and the betterment of its customers.

One of the best things about MonaVie is that you will not find its products in just any retail environment. Setting up as a Multi-level Marketing company means that MonaVie’s products also come with information about how it impacts each and every life. If you search through various MonaVie reviews, you will see that this has fostered a more personal relationship between distributors, salesmen and the customers by making sure that everyone involved is able to make informed decisions about the products offered. MonaVie understands that everyone does not work the same way, and for those of you who will eventually choose to become part of the MonaVie family, there is a varied compensation plan that allows for more than 9 different ways to earn money based on where your strengths and interests lie.

For those who have negative impressions of Multi-level Marketing companies, consider that MonaVie reviews include the fact that the company has won a number of awards for its business operations. They have been featured in Forbes as well as the Fast 50 Edition of the Utah Business Magazine and others. Additionally, MonaVie has been featured in Vogue as well as on the Rachael Ray and Today Shows, among many others. The commitment to quality in its products and of its business practices prove that we are a well-established company with a strong foundation and a recipe for success.

Ginseng is practically a household name but few can name the health properties or benefits associated with this plant off the top of their head. As is so often the case in the current world of intense and continual streaming information many become acquainted with the name of an object without learning its purpose or implications in their own lives. Ginseng has a wide variety of uses some of them being pharmaceutical owing to its high curative properties but mostly ginseng is noted for its increased nutritional benefits and the vast support it offers the body in terms if boosting energy levels, staving off the aging process and introducing an overall sense of well being and optimism to the user. Because of the positive health benefits MonaVie includes it in their engery drink products.

Ginseng is a word that literally means human (gin) essence (seng). Ginseng hails from Eastern Asia, North America and Siberia and is a perennial plant that has been harvested for its pharmaceutical uses for thousands of years. In various places and an array of incarnations ginseng has been revered and could cost the same amount as gold. In the beginning ginseng was mainly used as a remedy against viruses, fever states, and influenza because it had a tonic like effect on the immune system. As the abilities of ginseng were observed and recorded, however, new uses and benefits emerged. Ginseng is currently used to aid in the treatment of fatigue, lack of concentration and afflictions involving the nervous system. Ginseng is protected under law and is harvested with great care in Russia, China, Japan and Korea.

Ginseng contains twelve different types of bio-active chemical compounds that are also referred to as ginsenoids. Ginseng also boasts panaxan which is helpful in diminishing the levels of glycemia and boosting the effects of insulin. Ginseng has been shown to have anti-depressive, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, aphrodisiac, hypocholesterolemic, hypoglycemic, hypotensive, and tonic (most specifically in regard to the nervous system) effects on the body. It has also been linked to boosting the concentration and the memory processes. Ginseng has additionally been linked to improving the function of the lungs and the circulatory system.

For those that experience extreme dips in energy levels with no noticeable or determinable cause on a regular basis, ginseng is an especially helpful dietary introduction as it can revitalize the fatigued body and aid in the increased secretion of the proper levels of adrenaline needed to keep the mind focused and the body working. Because of the energy boost it can give, MonaVie includes ginseng in their energy drink EMV. This is a huge benefit to those currently facing issues with fatigue that are affecting their work and home lives. Due to the nature of this root it is recommended that only those looking to improve the level and quality of activity in their lives embark upon introducing ginseng to their diets. Additionally, ginseng is highly recommended to those that are experiencing times of convalescence as it helps to stimulate increased healing.

There is no need to be concerned about age when considering bringing ginseng into the diet on any level. Ginseng can be used by any and all people, regardless of age, because it works to stimulate the glands found in the endocrine system and allows the body to have increased vitamin and mineral absorption. Ginseng is also what is known as an adaptive herb which means that it can acclimate to any negative environment the body might naturally be exposed to and it therefore unaffected by things such as cold, malnutrition, or stress.

Chinese tradition implicates ginseng in the treatment of anemia, hypotension, asthenia, hypertension, arthritis, insomnia, digestive disorders and, of course, fatigue. Ginseng has been said to increase the body’s resistance to stress during high-stress time periods. There is a generally held belief that ginseng is able to prevent the tissues of the body from aging and that it can treat impotence. Ginseng has also been used for the treatment of debilitative and depressive states as well as for diabetes and memory disorders. It is also recommended for use during time periods of extreme cold as it can adapt well to the cold and boost the immune system to keep the body from succumbing to viruses that easily prey on the cold-weakened body. It has even been recommended for the treatment of airsickness, seasickness and senility. There is a great deal to be gained by introducing ginseng, even in small doses, into an average diet.

May your Thanksgiving be full of thanksgiving and wonderful food, relaxation, and family. But remember to drink some MonaVie and keep your body healthy during the holiday season!!!

Remember twenty plus years ago when the secret to being happy could be summed up in a catch phrase like “an apple a day keeps the doctor away?” Seems that lately the number of things needing doing for a healthy life is increasing exponentially. We have one set of doctors saying we need to get a certain amount of exercise a day (which is backed by the gym owners for sure) and another set saying health is all related to the types of food we eat (with eat food type having its own “spokesperson” among the doctors). In between them you have parents and grandparents divulging the secrets of life that they received from their parents and grandparents and so on. All in all, it’s a pretty big mess trying to figure out the way to health through all the doctors, pharmacists, food lobbyists and so on.

At some point you may want to scream and shout to the world that you are not a mindless puppet of the consumer age and you have your dignity! Well, you would anyway if you had a direction to go off of, but where is that? It is time to stop getting caught up in the crazy propagation of pills and fad diets and look to the real source of health – natural living and eating.

This one simple idea could change your life. Eating a good supply of the right materials gives your body the stuff it needs for repairs, growth, adaptation and more. The human body is a miracle of nature. It is capable of achieving great feats of strength and persevering through some of the hardest things imaginable. It can heal itself after getting wounded and fend off infectious diseases all while you are doing something completely different with your mind and hands. Again, however, this requires the right building blocks to be present or the process is halted.

One of the best sources of those materials is fruit and vegetables. And one of the best fruits is the acai berry from South America. Think of a large red grape hanging from a palm tree and you’ve got the idea of what the acai berry looks like. Only an inch long on average, this little berry is more than meets the eye. It is loaded with antioxidants which are key to a healthy cancer free body.

Cancer is often caused by free radicals – microscopically small particles that bond with others, sometimes even DNA. When that happens, the result can be a mutated cell that replicates without stopping, also known as cancer. Free radicals can be exterminated from the system by flooding it with antioxidants – which bond with the free radical and prevent it from being a nuisance to the cells.

The acai berry is well known for its high levels of antioxidants. Brazilians have been consuming them for years for the natural health benefits they bring. Now, with freeze drying and modern bottling methods, MonaVie brings the power of the acai berry to the masses.

In today’s world, when a person desires a glass of orange juice, they go to the local supermarket, pick up a jug and take it home to drink to their hearts content. What most people don’t realize is that not only is that orange juice not as tasty as a glass of fresh juice, is also very low in health benefits as compared to a fresh glass. Juice, like many things, is not meant to be torn apart and reassembled.

Yet in this day and age that is what much of our food is. We buy everything from processed grains to artificially flavored chips. Our breads are most often made from flour that had all its nutrients taken out, then the flour was bleached and unnatural ingredients were added back in. This is the “enriched wheat flour” that so many of us consume on a daily basis.

Likewise, our snack time foods are riddled with chemically created ingredients unknown to the natural world. Even “natural” flavors are typically pulled away from the source by chemical processes that create high flavor, but also high danger, foods. These foods react in our bodies out of sync with how the natural rhythm of food intake goes. They often bond in the body in ways that create allergic reactions and cellular damage.

This mentality of high flavor, low health has permeated much of our grocery bill and most of the supermarket. Even those juices are not what they seem. Most juices are made from “concentrates” and “reconstitution.” The juice is dried, or boiled, so that water leaves and the stuff left behind is stronger flavored and much thicker. You often see this in canned juices – the ones you need to add three times as much water to in order to put the juice back in a semi-natural form. Yet, it isn’t any better with the gallon jugs and cartons. Most of these juices say on their packaging “reconstituted,” which means they were first concentrated and then put back together. However, vitamins, minerals and original bonds are broken when this process is undertaken.

Fresh juices, on the other hand, while they can take longer to make, are much better for the body and taste good too. They are sometimes not as strong as concentrated in flavor, which has the ability to blind the tongue to the truth about the junk being put into the body. For starters, orange juice has been shown to create extra mucus. So people who have a cold and drink orange juice are simply provoking and prolonging the virus.

Fresh juice also contains a lot more vitamins and nutrients. By not being broken down for freezing or concentration, the complexities of the juice remain in tact for the consumer to enjoy and benefit from. It also means that the juice’s shelf life is shorter than frozen concentrate since it can’t be put into the freezer.

In MonaVie are a number of fresh and varied fruits. Super fruits, as the company calls them, are the cornerstone of the MonaVie line – especially the acai berry. Having so many ripe and powerful fruits allows the drinks to be full of nutrients and flavor without the loss of either due to typical modern production techniques. Each glass drunk is like eating several fruits in a single sitting and puts all those powerful ingredients in the waiting arms of the human body to manipulate as necessary to strengthen and repair.

Periodically we will feature the benefits of an ingredient that is found in one or more of MonaVie’s products. The MonaVie products are developed specifically to be healthy and tasty so you can provide the best benefit for your body. Each ingredient is selected for the health qualities and benefits that it provides. Because of the great benefits that real fruits provide they are found in high quantities in MonaVie products.

Prunes are one of the most oft mentioned fruits in relation to maintaining health, especially as the body ages. So what is a prune and why is it the go to fruit for health concerns? A prune is a dried plum, simple as that. So how does a dried plum equal magnified health benefits for the average person? Prunes offer a wide variety of benefits such as providing extreme antioxidant protection, relieving constipation, promoting boosted cardiovascular health, reducing the risks of certain cancers, preventing symptoms of premature aging, and reducing the risk for the development of osteoporosis. Still, it is one thing to be told that a fruit will help make the body stronger and it is another to understand how it accomplishes this.

Prunes have been ranked as the # 1 food for having the best and unparalleled antioxidant capacity. This study was done by Tufts University of Boston, MA. The researchers involved in this study found dried plums to have upwards of double the antioxidant capacity found in other highly ranking “super foods” including raisins and blueberries. Interestingly, prunes scored higher than fresh plums for antioxidant power, leading to the conclusion that prunes and fresh plums are not equal in health and antioxidant value. Still, fresh plums scored highly as well so there is no need to eradicate fresh plums from snack or meal plans. Just throw some prunes in there as well!

Much is made of antioxidants and their presence in fruits and, specifically, super foods. But what are antioxidants and why are they so important? Antioxidants are basically compounds that when introduced to the body aid in protecting cells from being damaged by harmful elements that are found in every day life such as free radicals. Free radicals are the unstable molecules that are the result of pollution, UV radiation, normal cell metabolism, and smoking. There has been substantial evidence that an excessive amount of free radical exposure can be a major contributing factor to premature aging (such as wrinkling of the skin, the development of sun spots, and excessive drying of the skin), cardiovascular disease, and various forms of cancer.

Obviously, anything that can be used to combat these free radicals is a definite bonus for those looking to maintain health, youth, and stamina for as long as possible. The prune is specifically lauded for the fact that hydroxycinnamic acid is found in it at high levels. Prunes have hydroxycinnamic acids that include chlorogenic and neochlorogenic acids, which makes it a highly desirable super food as these two acids are extremely effective and powerful when scavenging the body to erase free radicals. Additionally, plums and prunes are both loaded with anthocyanins, which are flavonoid pigments that have increased antioxidant properties.

Of course, prunes are most well known for their ability to aid in the relief of constipation. This is true because prunes have high dietary fiber content. This is important because dietary fiber is utilized by the colon, absorbing water and softening stool, so that bowel movements are regular and comfortable. This is why they are a preferred food item for those that suffer from constipation issues. On top of this prunes (and prune juices) contain sorbitol, which is a colonic stimulant of mild affect that assists in reducing the time it takes for stool to travel through the colon and by doing so helps to greatly reduce the risks of constipation and the much greater concerns of hemorrhoids and colorectal cancer.

The health benefits that link prunes to the reduction of risk for osteoporosis are associated with the higher concentrations of boron in the fruit. Eating a single serving of dried plums can fulfill the entire daily requirement for boron, which is a major contributing factor to maintaining bone strength throughout the aging process. Prunes also have potassium which is another bone health supporter. Other benefits include the fact that prunes are not responsible of rapid rises in blood sugar levels, despite the fact that they are full of simple sugars. This is potentially attributed to the high levels of sorbitol, dietary fiber, and fructose. Prunes also offer vitamin A and vitamin K along with the minerals copper and magnesium. On top of all of the rich health benefits prunes contain they are low in calories and rich in healthy carbohydrates.Overall, because of the health value that prunes contain, MonaVie has included them in their products.

Health in America is changing.  No longer are fast food, junk food addictions (or “cravings”), iceberg lettuce, white breads, refined sugars, and other unhealthy foods at the top of our priority list.  No longer are consistent sedentary activities gaining popularity.  The abundance of degenerative diseases and “syndrome’s” that have “no cure” are overwhelming the population and American’s are fighting back.  Learning about health is important and American citizens are starting to do just that and are looking for ways to take back their health and drop those extra pounds.

People are taught from an early age that exercise is important, eat your fruits and vegetables, drink plenty of water, etc.  The amount of people that were shown these things on a regular basis, who had an example of this lifestyle, are far and few between.  If people aren’t even doing the basics how can they stand a chance at living an actually healthy lifestyle?

When we change the way we eat and exercise after long periods of unhealthy eating and exercising habits our bodies become resistant.  There is a build up of toxins that they are trying to release and so it can take some time to get over a detox period, much like giving up drugs or alcohol.  This is perfectly normal and it is good to expect it, so that you can have the courage to work through it.  Don’t push yourself too hard, but some challenge to the body is good for it.

Changing our health through what we eat, how much we exercise, and how much sleep we are getting will give us a much better view of ourselves overall.  Not only to we gain better physical health, but our emotional health improves as well.  When the body is give the necessary nutrients emotional troubles, such as depression, anxiety, etc. can often be lessened if not eliminated (although psychological help should be sought as well, because having the correct nutrients does not teach a person the correct tools needed to handle the emotions healthily, it only provides an atmosphere conducive to healing).

Deciding to tackle the task of overall health can be completely overwhelming, but there are some great ways to introduce new habits into your life slowly.  Here are 5 things you can do to help slowly introduce health into your life:

Add 15 minutes of sleep (at night) each week until you reach your bodies optimal sleep pattern (between 7 and 9 hours each night).

Find simple ways to improve your eating habits (such as MonaVie) and implement one each week: switch out white bread for wheat, add a vegetable to a meal, decrease serving size of meat and increase serving size of grains and produce, find healthier recipes/replacements for favorite unhealthy items, etc.

Add 10 minutes of exercise 3 times per week until you have reached 30 minutes of exercise each day.  Start with stretching if necessary and work your way up to going to the gym or doing workout videos, etc.

Drink a healthy vegetable/fruit juice, such a Mona Vie Active.  These juices have superfruits and are made without refined sugars, so they help your body to get healthy on a cellular level and really help repair and release toxins that are built up inside your body.

Join in the fun of the resurgence of health.  It is empowering to take charge and move your life forward.  Creating a healthier life for yourself will not only bring you joy but will also inspire the people around you which will help lead to the changes needed in our society to promote healthy living.

A lot of the focus at MonaVie Answers is around fruit and the health benefits that they provide. The main reason fruits are considered healthy is because they are the healthiest alternative to the things we usually eat for snacks. Most of the popular snacks of today are full of sugar and sodium. Unhealthy treats such as candy, cookies, cake, ice cream, potato chips, soda and punch, are a major cause of illnesses like type 2 diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. They are also major contributors to obesity, which is an increasing problem in our country. The most healthy fruits can help conquer these problems.
Choosing the most healthy fruits for yourself requires recognizing what your body craves, and what nutrients it may be lacking. Some fruits are lower in calories, while others may be higher in iron. Here are 10 most healthy fruits based on the amount of vitamin content they provide:

1. Guava – many consider this one of the most healthy fruits
• Low In: calories, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium
o Contains: High fiber, large amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, folate, potassium, copper and manganese, which helps with the body’s enzimes
o Provides carotenoids, which help your immune and reproductive systems function properly.

2. Watermelon – can be very filling as an snack
o Low In: calories, saturated Fat, cholesterol and sodium
o Contains: vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, calcium and iron
o 100 percent of USDA recommended amount of carotenoids
o 25 percent of USDA recommended fiber and potassium.

3. Grapefruit – commonly used as a dietary supplement
• Low In: calories, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium
o Contains: vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron and potassium

4. Kiwi – also known as Chinese gooseberries
o Low In: saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium
o Contains: vitamin C, vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), vitamin K, potassium and Copper
o Very high in fiber content

5. Papayas – one of the most healthy fruits of the exotic-types
o Low In: saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium
o Contains: calcium and iron
o Good Source of: dietary fiber, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C
o High in folate, which is good for cell growth and reproduction

6. Cantaloupe – one of the most healthy fruits in the melon family
o Low In: cholesterol, saturated fat and sodium
o Contains: dietary fiber, vitamin B6, calcium, iron and folate
o High source of vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium
o Also contains niacin, which helps the nervous system and gastrointestinal tract functioning normally

7. Dried apricots – an excellent fiber source
o Low In: saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium
o Contains: potassium and calcium
o Very good source of vitamin A and very high in iron

8. Blueberries – full of antioxidants, which counteract deterioration of stored foods in the system
Low In: saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium
Contains: fiber, calcium and iron
Very good source of vitamin C, vitamin K and manganese

9. Strawberries – a less expensive and easier to find berry
o Low In: saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium
o Contains: folate and potassium
o Very good source of fiber, vitamin C and manganese

10. Tangerines – also known as mandarin oranges
o Low In: saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium
o Contains: vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, calcium and iron
o Great source of dietary fiber and carotenoids

The most healthy fruits provide an alternative when you are in the mood for something sweet, salty or bitter. When you’re craving sugar, a thick slice of sweet watermelon or a few large, sweet strawberries can be just as satisfying as a pack of cookies. Instead of a sour piece of candy, try a nice healthy sour lemon instead. In the mood for something bitter? Slice yourself a nice, ripe grapefruit for a healthier version of a bitter treat. Pairing fruit as a snack with MonaVie can boost your health and provide your body with many of the nutrients it needs.