Acai Berry Supplement Facts

The hype about acai berries is hard to miss. The berry has been touted as a superfood that can help promote a healthy body in numerous ways. Because acai berries spoil quickly, fresh berries are not widely available in the United States, but many companies offer acai berry products including supplements that are purported to be elixirs for a number of ailments. However, the claims these companies are making about the benefits of acai berry supplements are not all proven, so get the facts before you buy.

The Acai Berry

The acai berry is a small, dark purple fruit from the acai palm in South America. It has been a staple in Brazilians' diets for years, but wasn't introduced to the United States until the 1990s.

Health Benefits

Claims have been made that acai berry supplements can help you lose weight, treat the flu, alleviate pain, decrease cholesterol, gain energy, prevent aging and help with other ailments, but these claims have not been proven through research. According to the Mayo Clinic, acai berries are a good source of antioxidants, fiber and heart-healthy fats, which means they may have the potential to help prevent disease and promote overall health.

Supplements

While the acai berry is a good source of antioxidants, according to the Mayo Clinic, questions remain as to whether or not taking supplements offers the same health benefits as eating the actual foods that contain antioxidants. Supplements are also not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the same way as prescription and over-the-counter drugs and do not have to be proven safe or effective before being marketed.

Warnings

In 2009, the Center for Science in the Public Interest and the Better Business Bureau warned consumers against enrolling in free trials to receive acai berry products because of unproven claims of health benefits and difficulty in canceling automatic deliveries and charges once the free trial period ends.

Where To Find It

If you want to order acai berry supplements online, the Better Business Bureau recommends looking for the BBB seal and clicking on it to confirm it is legitimate. Acai berry supplements are also available in health food stores as well as in some general grocery markets and stores like Wal-Mart.