Borojo, the Superfruit!

By Sandra Mitchell - 2010.

With the race on across the scientific, health, and consumer worlds for the next superfruit, the most promising answer now seems to lie in a centuries-old fruit from Colombia’s tropical forests.

The findings of a Rutgers University study commissioned by Nutropical LLC of Secaucus, NJ reveal to the public what South Americans have known for centuries: the borojo (pronounced bo-ro-ho) fruit promotes a host of health benefits thanks to a newly discovered antioxidant compound. The borojo fruit also appears to be unique in that it contains only one polyphenol in relatively high concentration which makes it revolutionary in the plant world.

The borojo fruit grows in the rainforests of Colombia and is collected when the fruit matures and falls to the ground, no trees are ever cut down or destroyed, and the fruit is never plucked from the tree, as it is not edible until fully ripened.

In Colombia, the borojo fruit is used as an ingredient in a drink called “jugo de amor” or “love juice” and considered as an aphrodisiac. Outside soccer stadiums, you will commonly find stands and kiosks selling this concoction to the men going home after the match. A recipe for this empowering juice is included at the bottom of this page.

Borojo is also taken by women as well as men as an appetite suppressant and a natural source of energy. The fruit itself is high in fiber, and the concentrated capsules maintain all the goodness of the fruit, and fiber curbs appetite naturally by making you feel fuller for longer. The energy comes from the high concentration of vitamins and minerals that naturally stimulates the metabolism to kick into a higher gear, which in turns can translate into more energy to exercise and shed unwanted pounds.

Benefits of Borojo

Studies have shown that borojo contains only one polyphenol in relatively high concentration. Polyphenols play a critical role in human health and disease prevention. Most importantly, these powerful antioxidants help protect the body's tissues against cellular damage caused by free radicals as well as exhibiting a variety of anti-inflammatory and immunity enhancing properties instrumental in controlling the aging process.

The borojo fruit also contains high levels of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants, and has been used for centuries as a natural energizer, an appetite suppressant and as a libido booster.

Research indicates that the high levels of natural vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants found in the borojo fruit may help boost the body’s metabolism, thus increasing energy, hunger control, and promoting sexual vitality. Minerals found in large amounts in borojo include: potassium, phosphorous, calcium, iron and magnesium. These macro minerals are necessary for maintaining the body’s central functions, warding off illness, and for cellular regeneration and growth. Borojo is one of the best fruit sources of phosphorus, which not only provides energy, but is helpful for brain functions such as memory and concentration.

Borojo also contains high levels of amino acids such as lysine, tyrosine, leucine, and valine. These essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein and critical for healthy functioning, are not produced by the body and therefore must be supplied in the diet.

In addition, borojo is rich in several vitamins, for example, vitamin c, calcium and, iron, all of which support a strong immune system and B vitamins, which are important for healthy skin and muscles. Other health promoting benefits of borojo include its content of amino acids and phosphorous, important for brain function and cognition and its powerful antioxidant polyphenols.

ORAC

Borojo has an Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) value of over 5,400 (µmolTE/100 g), which exceeds the ORAC of most fruits and vegetables. (ORAC is a measure of the antioxidant capacity of food, with higher values indicating superior antioxidant capabilities.) The laboratory analysis also measured the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) of borojo. ORAC is a measure of the antioxidant capacity of food, with higher values indicating superior antioxidant capabilities. Antioxidants are critical for health because they neutralize free radicals, thus helping to prevent cell and tissue damage that could lead to cellular degeneration and disease. This finding wasn’t surprising given the high levels of antioxidant polyphenols that were discovered in the Rutgers University study. Overall, borojo seems to function through the combined benefits of polyphenol antioxidants, essential amino acids and macro minerals

The USDA recommends a daily intake of ORAC units at 3000-5000. It is estimated that over 80% of the

world's population does not consume even half of the recommended ORAC intake on a daily basis. In order to fight off the potentially harmful effects of free radicals and enjoy good health, it is important to become educated on which foods contain the best nutritional values and ORAC scores.

Blueberries, for example, have an ORAC value of 2400(µmolTE/100g), blackberries, 2036(µmolTE/100 g) and raspberries, 1220(µmolTE/100g)

Borojo Studies at Rutgers University

Nutropical commissioned a study at the Center for Advanced Food Technology (CAFT) at Rutgers University. Scientists found that borojo is rich in a novel polyphenolic compound that may be responsible for the health benefits commonly attributed to the fruit. Borojo appears to be unique in the plant world in that it contains only one, previously unidentified polyphenol in relatively high concentration. Polyphenols play a critical role in human health and disease prevention.

Borojo Studies at Covance

Nutropical also commissioned a detailed laboratory analysis at Covance, one of the leading pharmaceutical and biotech research firms. The analysis proved that borojo is rich in macro minerals and essential amino acids that are critical to healthy body and brain function, cognition and cellular regeneration and growth. Minerals found in large amounts in borojo include potassium, phosphorous, calcium and magnesium. These macro minerals are necessary for maintaining the body’s central functions, staving off illness, and for cellular regeneration and growth.

About Nutropical

Nutropical is a research focused health and beauty company committed to providing the highest quality products made only from the finest natural ingredients. All of their products are free of synthetic vitamins, nutrients and chemicals. Their goal is to identify novel and unique ingredients that while known in their native lands for their health and/or beauty promoting properties have not been widely made available.

All Nutropical products including our borojo capsules are made in the United States in an FDA approved facility and following the strictest quality control procedures. The raw materials for our products are sourced from leading eco-friendly vendors in the regions where they grow and are tested for quality and purity.

Borojo is a natural fruit product that has been safely consumed for centuries. Before starting any dietary supplement program however, you should consult with a physician. This especially applies to women that are pregnant or breast feeding.

Borojo capsules are ALL NATURAL and do not have any side effects – visit www.nutropical.com to see how they have harnessed the power of this superfruit into concentrated capsules.

Recipe for "Jugo de Amor"

1 whole borojo fruit
2 liters water
1 cup powdered milk
1/2 kg sugar
2 beaten eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 teaspoon nutmeg

Cut the fruit in half and scoop out the flesh with a spoon.

Place in blender with a little of the water and blend.

Dissolve the powdered milk in the remaining water and stir in vanilla, nutmeg, eggs and sugar.

Add to the blender and process until smooth – serve very cold.

Note: In North America you will not find the whole fruit, some Latin groceries carry the frozen pulp.