Acai is a healthful berry that grows naturally in the South American rain forests of Brazil. The berries contain healthy antioxidants, fibers, essential fatty acids and amino acids. The local people traditionally eat acai berries as a food staple. Some have been reported to get more than 40 percent of their daily nutrition from acai berries. Like many fruits we eat daily, acai does not have many side effects. However, restlessness, cleansing effects, reactions to impurities, high blood sugar and anti-inflammatory side effects may occur with regular use.
Restlessness
Many users report that acai berries give them a profound sense of well-being and plentiful energy. While these effects are generally considered beneficial, you may not want to take acai right before bed. Some acai weight-loss pills contain caffeine for a fat-burning effect. Definitely avoid taking these within three to five hours of bedtime to keep from feeling restless.
Cleansing Effects
Acai is very high in detoxifying antioxidants and colon-healthy fiber. Antioxidants cleanse every cell and promote the removal of waste through excretion. In addition, the high fiber content positively affects the intestines and colon to remove excess digestive buildup. Large amounts of acai juice, berries or extract pills may cause a cleansing effect. This may manifest in the form of more regular bowel movements. Some have reported diarrhea from taking large quantities of acai.
Impurity
Most of the side effects experienced from acai are likely to be caused by fillers or impurities in the product. To avoid low-quality acai products, buy USDA organic products with 3,000 ORAC per serving. ORAC is the scale used to measure the potency of antioxidants in foods. Look for preservative free, chemical free, unclarified, unfiltered, freeze-dried acai products. Buy your acai from trusted health food stores and retailers, rather than online sources.
High Sugar
Acai berries are naturally bitter. For this reason, some acia juice products are blended with other juices to sweeten them. While this is not inherently bad, beware of acai products with added sugar. Adding refined sugars to a product high in healthy antioxidants may counter some of the beneficial effects of the acai. Without the added sugars, acai can be helpful for those seeking to maintain healthy blood sugar, due to its ratio of fiber, carbohydrates and amino acids.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Acai has a natural anti-inflammatory effect because of the antioxidant content. It is believed that this effect is caused by acai's natural COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition. However, the AARP reports that this could have a negative effect when paired with drugs and/or other herbs that naturally inhibit these inflammatory substances. Consult with your doctor if you are currently taking high-dose anti-inflammatory drugs.
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