The acai palm tree, Euterpe oleraceae, is native to wet, rainy parts of South America and produces a grape-like fruit, the acai berry. Besides serving as a nutritious component in many fruit-based food products, acai berries are also used in traditional folk medicine as a general health tonic and to treat several disorders. The fruit has several properties that may be beneficial for health. Consult your doctor or a dietitian to determine if consuming acai berries or acai-based supplements is a good choice for you.
Nutrients and Compounds
The acai berry is a rich source of many nutrients. According to a paper in the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" in November 2006, the dried fruit contains 19 different amino acids, making up about 7.5 percent of its weight, and is composed of 52 percent carbohydrate, 33 percent fat and lots of fiber. The berries also contain vitamins A, B1 and C, and minerals including calcium and iron. In addition, acai fruit is rich in phytochemicals called anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins and several other flavonoids. These natural chemicals have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activity
Acai berries contain potent antioxidants that help remove free radicals from the body. These byproducts of metabolism are dangerous to cells, potentially causing damage to cell membranes and DNA. According to another study published in the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" in 2006, acai berries have the highest activity against some of these chemicals of any fruit or vegetable tested. The fruit also suppresses enzymes called cyclooxygenases that mediate onset of inflammation in many tissues, making it potentially useful in autoimmune disorders that involve inflammation.
Evidence
Although many laboratory studies have examined the effects of phytonutrients in acai berries on cultured cells, as of 2011, there have been few studies conducted with human subjects. However, one study with healthy volunteers, published in 2008 in the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry," verified that the amount of antioxidant chemicals in blood was increased two- or threefold after consumption of acai fruit pulp and juice. Although acai fruit contains many potentially healthy compounds, clinical trials with human subjects are still needed to confirm its benefits.
Sources and Recommendations
Acai berry is available from gourmet or health food stores as fresh fruit, juice, dried powder or in capsules. The usual dosage of powdered acai berries is 1,000 mg, once or twice daily. Acai berry has no known side effects, although some people may be allergic to components of palm plants. The fruit may interfere with some chemotherapy drugs because it is an antioxidant and it has not been tested for safety during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Discuss its use with your doctor before adding it to your regimen.
References
- Drugs.com: Acai
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Acai Berry
- MayoClinic.com: What Are Acai Berries and What Are Their Possible Health Benefits?
- "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry"; Antioxidant Capacity and Other Bioactivities of the Freeze-Dried Amazonian Palm Berry, Euterpe oleraceae Mart. (Acai); A. Schauss et al.; November 2006
- "Journal of Agrigultural and Food Chemistry"; Phytochemical and Nutrient Composition of the Freeze-Dried Amazoniam Palm Berry...; A. Schauss et al.; November 2006
- "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry"; Pharacokinetics of Anthocyanins and Antioxidant Effects After the Consumption of ...; S. Mertens-Talcott et al.; September 2008
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