Acai berry has been a hot topic ever since it was featured on the "Oprah Winfrey Show" website in July 2009 in an article written by Dr. Nicholas Perricone. The berry is available in a powdered form to mix into a drink, and has been featured in many weight loss diets. Acai berry is touted as an antioxidant capable of helping with weight loss and preventing the effects of aging and cancer; however some of these claims have not been substantiated. You should know the pros and cons of acai berry powder before deciding to incorporate it into your diet.
The Diet
According to Every Diet, there is no one acai berry diet. Instead users drink acai berry together with any other diet plan they are following. Some prefer to take acai berry while undergoing a colon cleanse or other detoxifying diet plan. It is primarily taken for its antioxidant effects. Dieters drink the liquid acai berry, which has a gritty, fruity flavor just as they would any other supplement.
Pros
There are several benefits of acai berry cited by Every Diet and Diets in Review. It is also on Perricone's list of superfoods, meaning the berry contains a higher concentration of antioxidants than other fruits. Acai berry reportedly increases energy, and provides fiber and amino acids. Other claims such as prevention against any particular disease, have not yet been scientifically investigated and are reliant on consumer-generated reviews.
Cons
Much of the hype around acai berry relies on anecdotal stories. ABC news reporter Susan Donaldson James tried using acai berry for two weeks and found it distasteful and overpriced. She did not lose any weight or experience any great improvements in her health. In addition she fell prey to a scam website that overcharged her debit card. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest there are websites selling inferior products and using free trial scams to rope in clients who overpay for inferior products. Claims that acai berry can help with weight loss or the prevention of cancer and heart disease have never been substantiated.
Conclusions
Acai berry is high in antioxidants. Antioxidants have been shown to prevent certain diseases like cancer to an extent; however no direct link between acai berry and weight loss, cardiovascular health or cancer prevention has ever been established. More scientific research is necessary before people can feel comfortable using acai berry to try and achieve those goals. Always consult your physician or nutritionist before starting a new supplement.
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