Herbal weight loss is seen as a natural alternative to prescription and over-the-counter diet pills, and green tea and acai berry are the two brightest stars of the movement. Their popularity is based on marketing more than research, although green tea has shown some benefit under controlled conditions. Acai is largely unproven, but continues to be popular because it is seen as a "natural" weight loss supplement. The thing is, the "natural" way to lose weight is diet and exercise, not supplements.
Green Tea
Green tea is simply regular tea that has been harvested prior to full maturity and used without fermentation. It is this quick processing from plant to product that allows green tea to retain higher levels of polyphenols, the active ingredient that provides the health benefits, than either black or kombucha tea. Although it has less caffeine than coffee or even other teas, it is a known stimulant, and has been used as a diuretic, digestive aid and all-around remedy for thousands of years. In the modern era, green tea is both enjoyed as a beverage and used as a weight loss aid.
Acai Berry
Acai berries are the fruit of the South American acai palm, and the subject of a major supplement fad. They have been touted as the cure for a host of ills from high cholesterol to obesity, erectile dysfunction and arthritis, but very little research exists to back up these claims. Although they have been shown to contain beneficial antioxidants, acai berries were traditionally used as a food source, not a medication, so there is very little history or anecdotal evidence regarding their safety and effectiveness.
Evidence
There is no research that supports the claims about acai berries and weight loss. That said, there is very little research about acai berry at all as of 2011, so there is a possibility that some evidence will come to light. Green tea, on the other hand, has been studied relatively extensively with promising results. A 2008 study published in "Physiology and Behavior" found that green tea consumption increased fat and calorie burn in obese people, resulting in weight loss. A 2009 study published in the "International Journal of Obesity" found that a mixture of catechins from green tea and caffeine helped participants lose weight and maintain weight loss.
Use
Both green tea and acai berry can be taken orally as a tea or dried in capsules. Acai berries can also be eaten. As you decide which to use in your weight loss efforts, keep in mind that even the proven benefits of green tea are very small -- they won't do the work for you. You must still follow a reduced-calorie diet and exercise regularly. No matter which you choose, they are both healthy additions to your diet, even if they don't help you lose weight -- both are very high in antioxidants and low in calories, and can contribute to your health in other ways.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Green Tea
- "Physiology and Behavior"; Effectiveness of Green Tea on Weight Reduction in Obese Thais: A Randomized, Controlled TRial.; Auvichayapat P, et al.; Feb. 2008
- "International Journal of Obesity"; The Effects of Green Tea on Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance: A Meta-Analysis; Hursel R, et al.; Sep. 2009
- MedlinePlus: Acai
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