Acai Description

The acai is a berry that grows on palm trees native to the South American rainforests. Acai berries have in recent years been touted in the United States and elsewhere as a superfood, rich in nutrients and packing a variety of health benefits.

Acai Supplement

The acai is a grape-like berry harvested from acai palms that grow in the rainforests of South America. They are believed to be rich in antioxidants; whole berries and acai juice are available in the U.S.; acai is also sold in supplement form. The Supreme Health website suggests that you can take as many as four 500-milligrams capsules of acai berry supplement daily or drink 1 to 2 cups of acai tea; consult your doctor before adding any kind of supplement to your diet.

Health Claims

Acai berries are often marketed by juice and supplement manufacturers as being beneficial for a number of health concerns, including cancer, arthritis, high cholesterol and erectile dysfunction; they are also said to help with detoxification and improving digestion. There have been very few studies conducted on acai berries to date, however, the Mayo Clinic notes.

Clinical Study

One study, conducted by the University of Florida, revealed in 2006 that acai berry extracts containing antioxidants triggered the destruction of human cancer cells. Though the study is an important step in learning how dietary supplements may benefit people, Stephen Talcott, an assistant professor with the university's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, warns that the study was not meant to show that acai extracts could prevent leukemia in humans.

Phenols

Acai berries are high in phenols, aromatic alcohols which are naturally present in many foods and are also sometimes used in additives. Other foods naturally rich in phenols include peanuts, apples, bananas, cheese, milk, oranges, chocolate and tomatoes. Dr. Leila Masson, a pediatrician, wants that children or people who are sensitive to phenols may experience the following reactions: red face or ears, hyperactivity, headache, dark circles under the eyes, skin rash, poor toxin removal, acrid stools, excessive thirst, insomnia, bloated stomach or night sweats.