March madness is upon us and as far as I’m concerned, that means only one thing: swimsuit weather is right around the corner! Yes, we’ve got a scant few months to get our pasty hibernating bodies into tip-top condition. Besides my regular routine of increased exercise and trying to eat healthy, this Spring I am going to try something different: I am going to experiment with so-called “super foods” to see if they make a difference in my overall physical, and mental, health.

Much has been written about the Acai berry in recent months, so I figured that’s a pretty good place to start. Plus, I tend to like berries and making smoothies, and I’m hoping they will be easy to find. In case you’re not familiar with it, the Acai berry has been touted as a sort of wonder fruit. The acai is an oblong, purplish (about an inch) berry grown in Central and South America, a relative of the blueberry and cranberry (which are also known for their health properties). The acai has been alleged to prevent heart disease and cancer, help people lose weight, and leap over buildings in a single bound (OK, maybe not that last one).

What gives the acai its super powers? The secret is in its abundance of antioxidants. Some studies have shown the acai berries to have high concentrations of antioxidants, more than cranberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, or blueberries. Antioxidants protect the body against outside stressors (helping to build the immune system) and also help protect cells.

I am going to try the acai berry to see if I can feel a difference… stay tuned!