Acai berry

Source of Acai berry

The acai palm tree, native to tropical Central and South America, produces a reddish-purple berry and is one of the many varieties of berries with significant health benefits.

Berries Galore Acai Bowl

Etiology of the name Acai

The acai berry’s name, which comes from a language of the native people of the region, means “fruit that cries.” The acai berry has long been an important food source for indigenous peoples of the Amazon region, who also use acai for a variety of health-related purposes.

Popular supplement

Acai berry products have become popular in the United States, where they have been marketed as folk or traditional remedies for weight loss and anti aging purposes,

Science of Acai berry

There is no definitive scientific evidence to support the claims that Acai has any weight loss or anti aging properties.

Acai berry fruit pulp an experimental MRI contrast

Acai fruit pulp has been used experimentally as an oral contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the gastrointestinal tract.

Grove of Acai palms

Availability of Acai berry products and supplements

Acai berry products are available as juices, powders, tablets, and capsules.

Do Acai berry supplements work?

• There is no definitive scientific evidence based on studies in humans to support the use of acai berry for any health-related purpose.
• No independent studies have been published in peer-reviewed journals that substantiate claims that acai supplements alone promote rapid weight loss.

Açaí

Safety of Acai berry supplement

• Researchers who investigated the safety profile of an acai-fortified juice in animals observed that there were no body weight changes in rats given the juice compared with controls.
• Laboratory studies have focused on acai berry’s potential antioxidant properties (antioxidants are substances that are thought to protect cells from damaging effects of chemical reactions with oxygen).
• Laboratory studies also have shown that acai berries demonstrate anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activity.

Side Effects and Cautions of Acai berry

• There is little reliable information about the safety of acai as a supplement. It is widely consumed as an edible fruit or as a juice.
• People who are allergic to acai or to plants in the Arecaceae (palm) family should not consume acai.
• Consuming acai might affect MRI test results. If you use acai products and are scheduled for an MRI, check with your health care provider.