Acai berry diets involve consuming a form of acai berry to help you lose weight. Acai berry is a fruit indigenous to Brazil and resembles a grape. The acai berry has been touted as a superfood that has health benefits due to its high nutrient content. However, such claims have not been evaluated by the FDA for validity.
Features
Acai berry is a healthy food, but does not have any special qualities that set it apart from other antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables that are also high in fiber, heart healthy fatty acids and antioxidants like acai berry include avocado, tomatoes, oranges, grapefruit, apples, plums, strawberries and blueberries. These fruits and vegetables are more likely to be budget friendly, since acai berry can be expensive to purchase.
Potential
In an October 2008 study performed at Texas A&M University, acai berry was proven to be absorbed by humans when consumed in juice and pulp form. After each test subject consumed the acai berry, an increase in antioxidant activity was measured in the blood and urine. The study did not find whether absorption was possible when acai berry was taken in pill or capsule form.
Misconceptions
According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, weight loss claims associated with acai berry diets are unfounded. Consuming acai berry does not burn fat or increase the metabolism to burn more calories. Claims that acai berry diets have the ability to detox the body are also false.
Warning
Beware of acai berry diet manufacturers that offer "free trial offers" on their products. Complaints lodged to the Better Business Bureau state that consumers who responded to these offers were enrolled in an auto-shipment program. Your credit card is billed on a monthly basis for a new supply of the acai berry supplement, and cancellation can be difficult.
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