Cupuacu is extremely popular in South America, especially Brazil, and is poised to become the next big super fruit to hit the U.S. Some nutritional food experts are saying that it will eclipse the popular Acai because it's healthier, has the same benefits, and is easier to grow without destroying rainforests.

Cupuacu is a tree that grows in the rainforest canopy in South America with the Latin name Theobroma Grandiflorum.  The Cupuaçu belongs to the cocoa family and grows to a height of 12-20 meters (30-65 feet). The fruit of the tree, which is called by the same name, has been a primary food source for natives in the rainforest for centuries and has a creamy, exotic pulp at the centre of a large melon.

Cupuacu Tree.

The fruits are about the size of a medium-sized watermelon and become ripe from January to April, during the rainy season. These are gathered, split open, and the pulp is made into juice, ice cream, jam, tarts, smoothies and more. These are considered delicacies in many of the larger cities of South America, such as Rio, and are sold in shops of all description.

Traditionally it has been cultivated and used by indigenous peoples for centuries. Nutritionally, Cupuacu is very compact and full. The ìbeansî (seeds) were often given to people to chew to cure abdominal pains and the juice would be blessed by shamans and given to pregnant women, newlyweds who wanted children, and others for various maladies. Brazil finally declared Cupuacu to be the national fruit and the name to be ineligible for trademark.

Health benefits

Nutritional and Health Benefits of Cupuacu

There are many health benefits to Cupuacu, most of which are tied to the fruit's extremely potent phytonutrient polyphenols, anti-oxidants, essential nutrients, vitamins, and others mentioned earlier.

Its primary health benefit is stimulating the immune system while simultaneously supporting the body's ability to fight disease. Cupuacu has a caffeine-like effect, but does not contain caffeine. It is one of the few cocoa relatives that does not, yet it retains this energetic effect.

Most of the benefits of Cupuacu are synergistic. For instance, the energy-boosting effect mentioned comes primarily as a result of the fruit's heightening of the immune system, lowering of blood pressure, and the body-boosting effects of the fast-acting nutrients and vitamins from the fruit. Unlike most energy drinks or caffeine, however, there is no ìdownî with Cupuacu. No tired feeling afterwards.

Still more synergistic effects include healthier skin and hair, lowered cholesterol levels (through lipid peroxidation inhibition), and better libido. These are some of the better benefits of the Cupuacu fruit.

Another huge benefit of the fruit is its extremely rich array and concentration of antioxidants. These have a large number of longer-term effects on the body including (and possibly most importantly) the neutralization of free radicals in the body's tissues. The improved circulation and lowered blood pressure mentioned already aid in this process of eliminating those free radicals.

Others of these antioxidants are what help lower cholesterol levels, improve brain function, and more. Many of the essential vitamins and minerals are boosters for the gastro-intestinal system (explaining the fruit's use by natives for GI problems) as well as a healthier cardio-vascular system.

How Cupuacu Compares to Acai

There are two major differences between Cupuacu and Acai. Both of them are at the root of why Cupuacu is better than Acai in a side-by-side comparison.

An excellent source of Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3 and Vitamin C:  The fruit is additionally great for bones, tendons and ligaments, it is also due to its high levels of amino acids, selenium and calcium .

Breathing Difficulties:  cupuacu includes an ingredient known as phytonutrients polyphenols that is not present in any other fruit. This particular compound is excellent for the treatment of breathing difficulties.

Cancer:  The Cupuaçu has a great advantage for health, as it helps to fight free radicals, they are the main responsible for various cancers.

Heart:  The fatty acids present in Cupuacu, helps reduce bad cholesterol and keeps the good cholesterol, carrying, exterminate beneficial in maintaining a healthy heart.

Cupuacu also strengthens the cardiovascular system and protects the artery walls from damage that can cause heart disease.

Energy:  Cupuacu when mixed with acai gives you a ridiculous amount of energy.

Weight loss:  addition of vitamins and minerals, so-called fruit contains soluble fibre pectin, which aids in weight loss, because it produces a sociogenic effect, found in many anti-obesity drugs.

Strengthens the immune system:  stimulates the body's defences and is diuretic.

Cupuacu leaves have soothing action, combat bronchitis and kidney infections.

The Cupuaçu has anti-inflammatory action.