January 26, 2010 admin

Clinical Trial on Sambazon® Açaí Part of Mounting Evidence of the Berry’s Heart Health Benefit

Emerging Science Results from Pilot Study Earned Top Honors During National Health Conference

San Clemente, CA – A new clinical trial investigating the health benefits of açaí, the antioxidant and vitamin-rich berry, is adding to the emerging scientific evidence of the fruit’s ability to potentially reduce some metabolic risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stroke. The latest study won top honors during the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine on January 23 and revealed promising initial results for using Sambazon açaí to improve vascular health, lower fasting blood sugar levels, and lower bad cholesterol.

“While additional research is needed, this pilot study suggests that in otherwise healthy, overweight adults, daily consumption of Sambazon açaí reduces several markers of metabolic syndrome associated with an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke”

“This pilot study demonstrated the ability of the Sambazon açaí pulp product to significantly lower several markers of cardiovascular risk in a relatively short period of time. Given these promising results, and the biologically active components in the açaí fruit, further study is merited,” said Dr. Jay Udani, MD, CEO and Medical Director of Medicus Research, a leading contract research organization with functional food experience.

Medicus Research recently conducted a pilot study with 10 slightly overweight, but healthy adult male and female participants (representing 1/3 of the American population). Each study participant consumed 100 grams of Sambazon® açaí frozen fruit pulp twice daily for one month. Researchers measured participants’ baseline fasting plasma glucose, plasma insulin levels, lipid levels (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides), high sensitivity C-reactive protein and blood pressure. After 30 days of consuming Sambazon® açaí, participants’ fasting glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, and LDL (bad cholesterol) were significantly reduced, as compared to the baseline. In addition, post-prandial (between meals) increases in blood glucose levels were significantly reduced.

“While additional research is needed, this pilot study suggests that in otherwise healthy, overweight adults, daily consumption of Sambazon açaí reduces several markers of metabolic syndrome associated with an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke,” said Jack F. Bukowski, MD, Ph.D., a former Harvard professor and currently Director of the Nutritional Science Research Institute.

This study follows a recently published study showing that açaí consumption lowers cholesterol and raises antioxidant activity in rats. Sambazon® is committed to scientific and nutritional research about açaí and supported the Medicus clinical trial. Sambazon® Açaí Pure Pulp Packs, which were used in the Medicus study, are a top selling frozen fruit item and available in finer grocery and natural food stores.

Founded in 2000, Sambazon manufactures and distributes organic food, beverage and supplement products with Açaí, a berry that grows primarily in the Amazon rainforest. The Sambazon products are available at thousands of stores nationwide such as Whole Foods Market, Wild Oats, Jamba Juice, Safeway, Albertsons, Publix, HEB, Food Emporium, D’agastinos, Krogers, A&P and many other independent health and specialty food stores and juice bars across the country.

Future Factory is a holding company for investments made in emerging companies across a wide range of industries with concentrations in health care and technology. The firm has offices in Atlanta and New Orleans.

www.sambazon.com

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