The black-purple berry of the Brazilian acai palm has ignited passions over its true worth. Proponents of the acai berry claim that it provides significant health benefits, while skeptics say the jury is still out. Meanwhile, natives in the South American jungles are going without a centuries-old staple of their diets because of skyrocketing overseas demand, according to Bloomberg.com.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants prevent or reduce the occurrence of potentially cell-damaging free radicals. A 2006 study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry found that "the fruit of Euterpe oleraceae, commonly known as acai, has been demonstrated to exhibit significantly high antioxidant capacity ... and, therefore, may have possible health benefits." The key word is "may." There is no conclusive evidence that free radicals cause or promote disease. Initial studies on antioxidants, however, point to their health benefits--and the acai berry is jam-packed with them.
Weight Loss
Acai has become big business. Marketers claim that products made from the acai berry, including pulp, juices and supplements, can suppress appetite, boost metabolism and burn fat. So far, however, there isn't any evidence to back up those claims. The Natural Standard, a research-based nutrition industry watchdog, says the fruit shows promise in some areas but, "Currently, there is insufficient available evidence in humans to support the use of acai for any condition." Any weight loss benefits from eating the acai berry may be a positive side effect of adopting a healthier diet.
Cancer
A 2006 University of Florida study found that antioxidants contained in the little superfood destroyed cultured human cancer cells. The study, published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, found that extracts from the acai berry "triggered a self-destruct response in up to 86 percent of leukemia cells tested." Stephen Talcott, an assistant professor with the University's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, cautioned that the study "was not intended to show whether compounds found in acai berries could prevent leukemia in people." He added, however, that "compounds that show good activity against cancer cells in a model system are most likely to have beneficial effects in our bodies."
Beauty Products
Because of its high concentrations of antioxidants, acai oil is showing up in cosmetics and other beauty products like facial and body creams, shampoos and conditioners, and anti-aging skin therapies. The antioxidant levels in acai-based beauty products remain high over an extended period of time as well, leading to a longer-than-average shelf life.
Warnings
Since acai berries rot quickly once picked, it is nearly impossible to find them raw in the U.S. Instead, the berries are processed into pulps, juices and supplements that often come with overstated claims from their manufacturers.
In March 2009 the attorney general of Connecticut, Richard Blumenthal, launched an investigation into Internet business practices and "questionable science associated with Acai berry products." He noted that consumers who signed up for a "free trial" were charged $59 to $89 per month in difficult-to-cancel credit card charges after paying for shipping with their credit cards--often without receiving the sample product. "In reality, consumers lose more money than weight after free trials transition into inescapable charges," Blumenthal said.
References
- University of Florida News: Brazilian berry destroys cancer cells in lab, UF study shows
- Georgia Health Info: Acai berry products: What are the health benefits?
- Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry: Antioxidant Capacity and Other Bioactivities of the Freeze-Dried Amazonian Palm Berry, Euterpe oleraceae Mart. (Acai)
- State of Connecticut Attorney General:Attorney General Announces Acai Berry Investigation
- Bloomberg: 'Superfood' Promoted on Oprah's Site Robs Amazon Poor of Staple
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