You may not be 100 percent sure how to pronounce açai, goji berries, or mangosteen. And chances are, you got your first taste of pomegranate juice in the past few years. But if researchers, health experts, and some innovative entrepreneurs have their way, these age-old fruits from around the globe (pomegranates appear in Greek mythology, the Bible, and the Koran, for example) will be as common as cranberries and dark chocolate.

Emerging research is finding more and more unique health benefits from each of these four superfruits—from pain relief and cancer-fighting properties to immune-boosting power. Add to that the high antioxidant activity from the plant compounds they contain, plus off-the-charts levels of essential vitamins (e.g., goji berries have more vitamin C than oranges), and you’ve got a group of ancient foods that deserve a modern-day review. To help you figure out why each of these is so good for you, and—better still—how to start consuming them, we’ve put together this guide.

Açai

Background:
In the Brazilian rain forest, juice from the açai (pronounced ah-sah-EE) berry has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. The tiny, bluish-black fruit from Amazonian palm trees doesn’t travel well, so açai is found primarily in juice and powdered form outside of Brazil.

Why it’s super:
Açai contains 10 times The anthocyanins of red wine. Indeed, açai berries are “one of the richest fruit sources of antioxidants,” says Stephen Talcott, an assistant professor of food chemistry at Texas A&M University. The juice’s popularity soared after word got out that its antioxidant activity might have age-defying benefits. There is also scientific evidence for cancer suppression: In a test-tube study performed at the University of Florida, açai extract was shown to kill up to 86 percent of leukemia cells; human trials are in progress.

How to get more:
Açai juice tastes like a strong chocolate-berry combination. Drink the juice or concentrated extract straight or add to shakes and smoothies; açai is also widely available in powdered and capsule forms.

Product picks:
Cool off with a scoop (or two) of Sambazon Organic Aça