The acai berry, a reddish purple fruit grown in South American rain forests, has been touted in recent years as a "superfood," much like pomegranates and goji berries. Health-conscious consumers frequently buy acai berry juice because of claims by manufacturers and distributors that this food promotes optimal health. As with any nutritional supplement, there are several pros and cons with acai berry juice.
Antioxidant Properties
Acai berries contain antioxidants, which are thought to prevent cellular damage caused by free radicals. These antioxidant properties may reduce the risk of or prevent certain types of cancers.
Weight Loss
Acai berry juice is thought to aid in weight loss, although no conclusive studies had been performed to verify the weight loss properties of acai berries.
Substitution for Soft Drinks
People who drink acai berry juice often choose this drink in place of sugar-laden soft drinks. Replacing sugary drinks and sodas made with artificial sweeteners can help promote better health.
Lack of Regulation
Unlike medicines, nutritional supplements are not regulated. This means that the quality of the acai berry juice you buy can vary considerably from supplier to supplier. Even the same manufacturer can produce batches of acai berry juice of differing quality.
Unverified Claims
Although the makers and distributors of acai berry juice claim that buyers will receive numerous health benefits, these claims have not been evaluated or verified by the Food and Drug Administration.
Expense
Regardless of whether acai berry juice is purchased in a store or directly from a distributor, it can be quite expensive. As of February 2010, prices vary from about $8 to over $20 for a 32-oz. bottle. Acai berry juice is also sold through several multi-level marketing companies such as MonaVie, making a realistic price even more difficult to determine.
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