The acai berry is found in the Amazon forest and is promoted as having very powerful antioxidant properties. Euterpe oleraceae is a large palm tree indigenous to the Amazon river and its tributaries in South America. Its fruit is of great economic value to native people. The berry is purple colored and small and comes from a palm tree known by the Brazilians as "the tree of life." It was only a few years ago, about the year 2000, that it was introduced to the Western market.
Nutrient composition, nutritional value
One study analyzed a standardized freeze-dried acai fruit pulp / skin powder. Among many findings, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, and
other flavonoids were found to be the major phytochemicals. The total content of anthocyanins was measured as 3
mg per gram of dry weight. The concentration of total proanthocyanidins was
calculated as 13 mg/g dry weight. Other flavonoids, namely, homoorientin,
orientin, isovitexin, scoparin, and taxifolin deoxyhexose, along with several
unknown flavonoids, were also detected. Resveratrol was found but at a very low
concentration. In addition, components including fatty acids, amino acids,
sterols, minerals, and other nutrients were analyzed and quantified. Total
polyunsaturated fatty acid, total monounsaturated fatty acid, and total
saturated fatty acids contributed to 11%, 60%, and 28% of total fatty acid.
Oleic acid (53%) and palmitic acid (26%) were found to be the two dominant fatty
acids. The total amino acid content was
determined to be 7% of total weight. The total sterols accounted for 0.05% by
weight of powder. The three sterols B-sitosterol, campesterol, and sigmasterol
were identified.
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Acai berry benefit
Anemia
I have not come across research regarding its influence
on hemoglobin. As a general rule, the influence of an herb or supplement
on various aspects of human physiology and biochemistry depends largely on
the dose and amount use.
Anti-inflammation
Compounds in it
have been found to have cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 inhibitor
activity.
Antioxidant
Apparently the dark purple skin has many times the
anthocyanin content
as red wine. The antioxidants may benefit some health
conditions but research in humans is quite limited. Human
research is required before learning the potential benefit for medical
conditions or prevention of health problems. There is not evidence at this time
that the use of this product will help you lose weight.
The antioxidants in acai berry are easily absorbed into the bloodstream and
raise levels of antioxidant activity quite quickly.
Pharmacokinetics of anthocyanins and antioxidant effects after the consumption
of anthocyanin-rich acai juice and pulp in human
healthy volunteers.
J Agric Food Chem. 2008.
This study was
performed with acai pulp and
clarified juice compared to applesauce. Healthy volunteers were dosed at 7 mL/kg of body weight. Plasma antioxidant capacity was
significantly increased by the acai pulp and applesauce.
ORAC value, how important is it?
The ORAC value can vary significantly from crop to crop and
method of harvesting, storage, encapsulation, etc. But acai does have a
high ORAC value and it is not too important for practical health reasons
to know exactly what the number is for a fruit, vegetable, herb, or
supplement. Measurements of oxygen radical absorbance capacity on
freeze-dried acai pulp and skin powders have been done for each of four
reactive oxygen species (ROS) - superoxide, peroxynitrite, hydroxyl
radical and peroxyl radical for both hydrophilic- and lipid-soluble
species. The assay for superoxide, considered perhaps the most representative
determination of antioxidant capacity, revealed a
value of 161,400 units per 100 g, the highest result yet found for
superoxide radical among plant foods. Total ORAC determined from both hydrophilic and lipophilic sources was 102,700 units
per 100 g, again the highest value found to date among edible fruits and
vegetables for this radical. Antioxidant capacity
and other bioactivities of the freeze-dried Amazonian palm berry, Euterpe
oleraceae. J Agric Food Chem. 2006.
Which fruit juice is more powerful with regards
to overall health benefit and it's antioxident level,
mangosteen or
the acai berry.
Although people seem to focus on ORAC values, there
are many other substances in herbs and plants that have beneficial
effects. I prefer alternating the use of different herbs and not to rely
on just one. For instance one can have several different good herbal
supplements and each day take a different one. Some of the ones that come
to mind include acai berry, cocoa,
curcumin,
goji berry,
green
tea extract, mangosteen,
graviola, and pomegranate. This way benefits from the
various herbs can be taken advantage of and the body is exposed to a
variety of helpful substances without overdosing.
Anti-aging, at least in flies,
protection of DNA from damage
Açai palm fruit (Euterpe oleracea) pulp improves survival of flies on a
high fat diet.
Exp Gerontol. 2010. Laboratory of Experimental Gerontology, National Institute
on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD.
Acai is rich in phytochemicals that possesses high
anti-oxidant activities, and has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and
anti-cardiovascular disease properties. We evaluated the effect of açai pulp on
modulating lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster. We found that
supplementation at 2% in the food increased the lifespan of female flies fed a
high fat diet compared to the non-supplemented control.
Blood thinning
It has flavonoids which are known to thin the blood,
however no clinical human studies could be identified evaluating its role in coagulation.
Blood vessel vasodilator
Polyphenols in acai berry have the ability to act as vasodilators, which means
they can dilate blood vessels. This perhaps could be of benefit in conditions where blood vessel dilation is
needed.
Endothelium-dependent vasodilator effect of Euterpe
oleracea extracts in mesenteric vascular bed of the rat.
Vascul Pharmacol. 2006.
The vasodilator effect of acai extract is dependent on
activation of nitric oxide -cGMP pathway and may also involve
endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor release. The vasodilator effect
suggest a possibility to use it as a medicinal plant in the
treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Osteoarthritis and arthritis
Fourteen patients drank 120 ml of acai juice daily for 12 weeks. There was a
decline in pain as well as improvements in range of motion. Antioxidant levels
were improved. Pain Reduction and Improvement in Range of Motion After Daily
Consumption of an Euterpe oleracea Pulp–Fortified Polyphenolic-Rich
Fruit and Berry Juice Blend. J Med Food. 2011.
Weight loss scam?
Does the acai berry supplement aid in weight loss, as i have seen an
advertisement in a
magazine, which quoted celebrities.
I have not seen any human studies regarding acai berry use and
weight loss. I doubt if this fruit or extract will help people lose
weight. This could easily be a scam.
I recently purchased acai berry supplement pills and
was wondering if it'll be harmful to take it with colon cleanse? Some
sites I have seen suggest that weight loss can be achieved in this way.
There are
many herbal products on the market that claim to have "colon cleanse"
properties and it is not possible to determine the interactions since each
product could have different effects depending on the ingredients and
potency of the herbal formulation.
The Federal Trade Commission is suing the marketers of AcaiPure and colon supplement colopure for consumer fraud. The products advertised on radio, television and the Internet for as little as 99 cents shipping feature fake endorsements by U.S. television talk show diva Oprah Winfrey and celebrity lifestyle host Rachel Ray. The defendants promised buyers a 'risk free' trial and then illegally billed their credit cards again and again. Since 2007, more than 2,800 complaints have been filed against Phoenix-based Central Coast Nutraceuticals Inc. with law enforcement agencies and the Better Business Bureau. Consumers allegedly were scammed out of more than $30 million in 2009 through deceptive advertising and unfair billing practices.
Letter from a Brazil resident
I am from
Brazil and I've been to the Amazon a few
times. Its a very strong tasty berry, that no one eats raw. We drink the
frozen pulp with water or mixed with sugar and banana like a very soft
icy paste, resembling a sorbet, although in the north of Brazil some
people eat it as food dishes, with salty assortments (either way people
squash the fruits and freeze the juice still in the Amazon state, then
sell it to producers of the final ice cream we eat). Because it has a
strong and a bit earthy taste, its usually a love-it-or-leave-it. I love
it from childhood we know its a strong fruit, know for good fatty acids,
vitamins, and for being highly energetic (i.e. can make you fat if you
eat too much). I've never heard in 20 years eating it everywhere, that
it helps you lose weight. For me, this is one more proof of how
marketing skills and not-so ethical people are making everyday more
false promises, specially in the US and that sometimes (I think it's not
the case with acai supplements though) can pose serious risks to
consumer's health. As you put it, it's a healthy addition to someone's
diet, not a miraculous berry that will make you lose many pounds of fat.
Supplement availability
Acai is sold as capsules, juice, pulp, and puree. You can open a capsule and
place the contents in a smoothie with other fruit juices.
What do you think of Monavie?
Monavie is a company that has acai berry juice products. Promoters
are making it seem that this berry is far superior to others. I think all
berries are healthy to eat and it is a good idea to have a variety of them
rather than the same one all the time.
Dosage
There are no official guidelines on the proper dosage of acai
extract capsules. Hardly any human studies have been done with the berry,
juice or capsules. As a general rule, taking one to three acai extract capsule
a few times a week seems reasonable.
Review and summary
Human studies with acai fruit or extract are scant, therefore no firm
statements can be made regarding the clinical uses of this plant. However,
eating acai berry or taking a supplement as part of a healthy diet seems to be a
reasonable approach.
Side
effects, safety, risks, danger, toxicity
As of 2012 no major acai berry side effects or adverse reactions have been reported in the medical
literature.
Is an acai berry supplement product safe for people
with high blood pressure or kidney disease?
Human studies are not available to determine whether it is safe in those with medical conditions. Thus far it appears that
there are no problems, but this opinion is based on our feedback from users
as opposed to scientific studies.
Eating acai berry makes me constipated and bloated.
This is the first report we have had regarding these symptoms. Perhaps it is the acai berry or it could be
just coincidence and
related to something else.
Toxicity not
present
Evaluation of the genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects
after acute and subacute treatments with acai pulp on
mice using the erythrocytes micronucleus test and the comet assay.
Mutat Res. 2010.
There were no statistically significant
differences between the negative control and the groups treated with
the three doses of acai pulp alone in all endpoints analyzed, demonstrating the
absence of genotoxic effects. The protective effects were observed
in both acute and subacute treatments, when administered prior to doxorubicin. In
general, subacute treatment provided greater efficiency in protecting against
doxorubicin -induced DNA damage in liver and kidney cells.
Use by children
Is this supplement ok for my daughter who is 12 to take?
We have not seen any studies regarding the use of this
product in children or teenagers, but we do not suspect that there would be any
problems. Nevertheless, it is up to parents along with their health care
provider to make the final decision regarding the use of any supplements for
their kids.