Acai berries are promoted as a "super food" offering a number of different health benefits, and they are often purported to help with weight loss. Although this plant does contain a number of different compounds that are potentially beneficial for the body, no reliable scientific evidence shows that acai or related compounds can be used to treat any health condition in humans.
What Is Acai?
Acai berries come from the acai palm tree, which is native to South and Central America. These trees produce a purple berry that is similar to the cranberry and blueberry and is approximately the size of a grape. Acai berries may be eaten whole and may also be converted into juices, powders, capsules and tablets.
Antioxidants
Many of the purported benefits of acai are due to the antioxidants in the fruit. Antioxidants are important for protecting the body because of their effect on a type of molecule known as reactive oxygen species, or free radicals. Free radicals are generated by the body as a byproduct of metabolism and can also be created from exposure to certain toxins. Free radicals damage DNA, cell membranes and proteins, and they contribute to cell death and genetic mutations that cause cancer. Antioxidants can neutralize these free radicals and protect cells from free radical-associated damage.
Acai in Comparison
A 2008 article in the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" studied the levels of different antioxidants in many fruits that contain high levels of polyphenols, a common natural antioxidant. Although this study did find that acai contained a significant amount of antioxidants, other fruits -- such as pomegranate, Concord grape juice, black cherry juice and blueberry juice -- contained higher levels of antioxidants. This suggests that while the acai berry is rich in antioxidants, nothing about this berry is particularly unique.
Other Claims
According to a 2009 article in the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association," many claims have been made about the benefits of acai for human health. For example, proponents of acai claim that it can improve sexual performance, fight cancer, improve digestion, improve sleep, prevent aging, help with weight loss, protect against heart disease and improve arthritis symptoms. No scientific evidence supports any of these claims, so while acai berry may have some beneficial properties due to its antioxidant content, many of its purported benefits are exaggerated.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Acai; April 2011
- "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry"; Comparison of Antioxidant Potency of Commonly Consumed Polyphenol-Rich Beverages in the United States; Navindra P. Seeram, et al.; January 2008
- "Journal of the American Dietetic Association"; What Is the Açaí Berry and Are There Health Benefits?; Wendy Marcason, RD; November 2009
Member Comments