Acai: Is It Worth the Hype?
Before sitting down to write this, I searched “acai” and almost 15 million hits came back — talk about popular! You can’t miss the ads all over the internet promoting this “superfood.” Claims range from Viagra-like enhancements to weight loss to reducing wrinkles. But does this little wonder fruit really do all that and more?
The California Link
Two California brothers, Ryan and Jeremy Black, “discovered” acai (pronounced “ah-sigh-EE”) when they visited Brazil on a surfing trip; the berry was on the menu at many surf shacks and juice joints. After returning to the U.S., they co-founded Sambazon, a beverage company that incorporates the berry in juices, supplements and even sorbet. These days, they rake in $25 million a year selling acai products.
So, What Is It Exactly?
Acai berries are purple, grape-like berries that grow on the palm trees that thrive on forest edges, near rivers and streams. In the Amazon, acai palms cover a land area that’s half the size of Switzerland (crazy, right?).
In Brazil, acai is a staple food. Locals typically enjoy the berries as a side to river fish or with toasted yucca. According to estimates, the 1.3 million people residents of Belem, Brazil (a town near the epicenter of acai commercial production) drink more than 200,000 liters of the juice daily.
In the U.S., acai now shows up in lots of forms — juices, powders, frozen pulp, ice cream, jelly, liquor, smoothies and supplements. Head over to your local health food store or walk through Whole Foods, you won’t get far without finding an acai product. What you won’t find, however, is the fresh fruit. Since it is so perishable, you’ll have to go to Brazil to sample that.
Nutrition Facts
A four-ounce serving of pure acai has about 100 calories and 6 grams of fat. Surprisingly, more than 50% of those calories come from fat. Acai contains omega-9 fats, which have anti-inflammatory properties, but aren’t one of the essential fatty acids (i.e., omega 6 and omega 3). Acai also has fiber, vitamin A, several minerals (iron and calcium, to name two) and good-for-you phytonutrients, including polysterols and anthocyanins.
What are phytonutrients exactly? Well, polysterols are plant components that research has linked to reducing cholesterol and helping to decrease immune system stress. Anthocyanins are potent antioxidants that give the fruit its deep purple color. Acai fruit pulp (what you see above) is high in antioxidants — it has more than cranberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries or blueberries. However, a 2008 study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry found that acai juice contained less anthocyanins than red wine and pomegranate juice.
Is It Safe?
All that sounds wonderful, no doubt, but what about too much of a good thing? There’s not enough scientific evidence right now to show how much acai is considered safe, especially when you eat it (or take supplements) for a long period of time. Of course, all the ads and product labels out there claim acai brings a whole number of health benefits, including:
- Curing allergies
- Enhancing virility
- Boosting energy
- Improving sleep
- Relieving arthritis
- Weight loss
You name it and someone has probably testified that acai helped cure it, but there aren’t really any human studies to prove that any of that acai-specific hype is true. If anything, the berry provides the antioxidant benefits that other similar fruits also offer.
More on the Scams
While the Black brothers brought acai into the U.S. market, Dr. Nicholas Perricone appeared on the Oprah Winfrey and brought acai to the mainstream by dubbing it a “superfood.” He believes the antioxidant properties have anti-aging qualities. Since that episode aired, you have probably seen Oprah’s face appearing on countless internet ads (I see them every time I log into Facebook). Oprah has posted this message on her site telling the world that she does not endorse these acai products.
There are also hundreds of websites making outrageous claims of weight loss. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) published this article about some acai scams. I also found this site that makes readers aware of internet scams — it lists numerous fake acai websites that you may have come across. Even Consumer Reports tells folks not to believe the hype. If you are unsure of a site or want to see if it’s reputable, you can always log onto the Better Business Bureau’s website and check for yourself.
The Bottom Line
Acai is a berry that contains tons of antioxidants, but no research supports the specific claim that it will make you a tiger in bed or a skinny minny. Is it better than all other fruits out there? Definitely not. Each fruit or veggie contains its share of special phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals — over-consuming one food is not the answer. You can enjoy acai in a healthy diet mixed with a variety of other fruits and veggies. Buying expensive acai products, however, won’t solve your health or weight issues — it’ll just slim down your wallet (not to mention perpetuate the “healthy food is too expensive” stigma).
Learn more about acai in these helpful New York Times and Los Angeles Times articles.
The same rule stands for acai berries as for any other food: the more whole the better. Everyone’s mother has told them that whole oranges are better for you than juice, fresh juice is better than the sugared frozen concentrate, and Hi-C is flavored water. I’m sure acai berries have wonderful nutritional properties, but all the products made from them are just dilutions.
P.S. – Sorry, forgot to tell you great post!
Not only does Oprah not endorse it anymore but both her production company (Harpo Productions) and the Illinois State Attorney General have now filed lawsuits against several acai companies for making false claims…
Watch your blood pressure when eatting acai berries. It may not mix with high blood pressure meds. My husband had a reaction, when drinking a fruit drink every am. with acai berries in it, just 8 oz a day at breakfast, he noticed his bp going up, when he stopped drinking the juice and went back to good ole orange juice from the good ole USA, state Florida…his bp went back down to normal….
i had a bad reaction from Acai in pill form. My BP shot up to 200/120. Bad scare. Don't go there is you have BP problems.
BRAVO!
Thanks for reading, everyone, and weighing in. But let's go back to the topic: acai berries. Has anyone ever tried any of the acai products out there? I see them occasionally at the health food store, but they're always rather expensive. What do you think of the trend towards dubbing foods "superfoods"?
Hi there;
I've been using NOW's Acai caps and I have a sister using them also. We both use them for energy. Not for dieting, nor for being g.i.d. (good in bed). We both notice the diff when we don't take them. No bad reactions, no BP reactions.
I have been drinking a liquid nutritional product called "ACAI PLUS" marketed by TriUnity International for over two years. It contains 5mg per ounce of the Acai berry plus a host of other ingredients including several other "super fruits", coQ10 and a complete liguid mineral complex…. Results "for me" lower BP, energy boost, elimination of joint/arthritus problems and several other benefits. I wouldn't be without it. It is a cost versus benefits winner.
I think if nothing else, pretty much all food and drugs with any kind of hype words in front of it trying to sucker people into thinking they’re healthy or whatever (whether they actually are or not), automatically make me hate them and avoid them like the plague. Way to go, diet industry!
Acai juice will keep you "regular" and loosey goosey if you know what I mean. Drnk too much and you'll get porcelain burns on your tush.
EVERY TIME I READ THE HYPE ABOUT SOME NEW STUPER FOOD I DO LAUGH. THERE IS NO FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH AND NO SINGLE SOURCE OF ANY FOOD THAT WILL KEEP YOU ALIVE OVER THE YEARS ALLOTED TO YOU. TRY LAUGHING, HELP ANOTHER PERSON, HIKE IN THE MOUNTAINS. VISIT YOUR PARENTS OR GRANDPARENTS. LISTEN TO THE STORYS OF THERE LIVES AS YOUNG ADULTS. REJECT BOTOX AND ALL OF THE CRAZY THINGS OUT THERE THAT MIGHT HARM YOU MORE THAN HELP YOU. MAKE YOURSELF HAPPY AND OTHERS AROUND YOU.
I have been consuming an acai-rich beverage for several months now. Results FOR ME, include sleeping less and having more energy, and far less joint pain and stiffness. I had no real health issues when I began using the product. I decided to start using the product becaue of the anti-oxidant value and a study that you can find on line by the University of Florida reporting that the acai berry eliminated 86% of leukemia cells in a lab test. So I view it as a preventive measure.
Called, Mona Vie, this particular product is a fruit juice 'cocktail' that provides an anti-oxidant equivalent of 12 -13 fruits and vegetable in 4 ounces. Mona Vie offers a few choices in the beverage. One contains glucosamine, helping with arthritis-like symptoms, while another contains .8 grams of plant steroils, which has been shown to reduce blood cholesterol. The company makes no claims as to the health benefits of the beverage other than the anti-oxidant property. The process they use is not a 'pressing' as with most juices but a freeze drying that saves the integrity of the berry.
It is quite pricey, but the company offers a program through which you can actually get your product free and make some money.
Tried acai juice and pills. Didn't do a thing for me.
I have been drinking this Mona Vie stuff as well and it has not done a thing for me. For almost $40 a bottle you would think it would do something..but for me nothing for the past 12 weeks. I bought my last bottle last week. They keep saying one more week, right.Never again. It is a rip off. LivingCasually, it sounds like you are a Mona Vie dealer. My cholesterol has not changed nor has my joint pain been relieved. The company may not make the claim but the sales people do.
No more HB Meds with the serious side effects for me!!! I eat Xocai Healthy Chocolate (cold pressed, unprocessed cacao) with Acai Berries. AND that is just the tip of the iceberg of health benefits I have personally enjoyed. Do the research on clinical studies……try Xocai and see for yourself… http://www.livehealthyeatchocolate.com
PFL-
Everybody is different. Just because it doesn't work for you, doesn't mean it won't have benefits for someone else!
I never implied it won't work for someone else…They are welcome to it..To each his/her own.
A company should stand behind it's product with a money back guarantee and research. While I do think there is both hype for this and some research it would seem the jury is still out and therefore caution is in order. I know people who take Mona Via and swear by it and I did sample it but until there is scientific proof to show me that there are no side effects I will just watch. I am watching the research on resveratrol much closer as it seems to be proving it's worth. There is lots of good information and research published on this. I am looking at a product called Vivix from Shaklee right now having used their products for almost 25 years now and so started a business. (not trying to hide it) I have 11 children and to say I am skeptical and picky would be an understatement. I research everything that goes in and on the body of by children and myself. I personally am keeping an eye on resveratrol! Very interesting research!
Wow, impressive how your were able to remove my earlier comment.
All, users have reported many comments in this post as being off-topic and inflammatory, and it is our policy that we remove posts that are deemed irrelevant to the topic(s) at hand if several readers flag them. Please feel free to continue the debate on acai and share your experiences. Thanks, Kristine (blog administrator)
I too tried the acai supplement. Took just 1 – 1000 mg cap to begin but when I started taking 2 per day,
my blood pressure started going up (have ever had bp problems) and I became jiggerty. Also, it made
me feel tired all the time. Beware of this, it's not for everyone.
I also tried Monavie.. liked it, but it's to expensive. There is a very similar juice sold at Sam's that is called Fruit A Vie… tastes the same, makes the same claims and costs less.
All very interesting. No need to be unfriendly about other opinions. That's what i like most about this country 'freedom of speech' Thank u Kristine for this opportunity to share. Anyway when i was trying acai, i used mostly the liguid forms mixed with other berries and or smoothie drinks. This went on for a little less than 2 months. My skin became so radiant, brighter and younger looking. I knew something was different because everyone wanted to know what i was doing. At the time i did not realize it was acai because it was before all the hype and advertisment. I was in the market for anti-oxidants, nothing more. After 2 months i started regurgitating any product with the acai ingredient in it. I am still tempted to try the product again but probably won't unless unknown. I am now investigating 'Gogi' and decided to stick with fruits and vegetables i grew up with, excersise and plenty of water.
I have been drinking 3 oz organic acai daily for well over 2 yrs (I mix w/ organic Goji ). I am proud to say that I have not been sick a single day – not a sniffle or sore throat since I started a daily dose of acai. A colleague that sits cheek to cheek with me at the office has been out of work multiple times with week long illnesses suffering from common ailments: flu, cold, bronchitis, viruses, etc.;. I do happen to be one of the fortunate people that doesn't get ill often, but I use to be good for at least one or two nasty colds each year!! I convinced my 74 year old father to drink it daily, the inflammation (cancer cells) in his lower bowel seem to have disappeared. At least during his last exam the doc's didn't see anything! I am not making any medical claim whatsoever, but with Acai's antioxidants and being considered a "super fruit" I am a believer that it does have health benefits. Unfortunately, I am not thinner and I don't see rejuvination when I look in the mirror – still looking my age!
It sounds like you had a good experience. I had a very serious reaction to the Acai berry. I added this to my vitamin regime and went into liver failure. Now I can only take B vitamins and eat healthy. Hopefully, no one else will have this reaction.
Little do people know that acai if not consumed fresh or in frozen form (which is how it's consumed in Brazil) looses it's nutritional value. So all of these tonics that claim the health benefits from acai are basically fruit juice.
I’ve been using the acai by marketamerica. Their OPC3 is better though. It’s had a years of research and documented studies. I tried the Mon-a-Vie a couple of years ago and just didn’t like the taste. The main difference I’ve noticed since taking both the OPC3 and Acai is my skin is better, my dark circles are lighter, my reduction in sugar cravings have been a really great thing for me and I have more energy.
Please don't "shout". Typing in all caps is considered a form of yelling, or shouting or TALKING VERY LOUDLY. It is also considered very rude by many bloggers.
It's in the process. Fruit A Vie? How much fruit is actually in that…don't get me wrong. I'm sure there is fruit listed after the H2O.
It didn't do anything for me either.
I can't agree with you that MonaVie is a rip off. While it may not have worked for you, there are many, many reports from consumer who say it does work. It is probably just that you have to find the thing that does works for you. The University of Florida study alone indicates that it is not a fraud. The impact of anti-oxidants on free radicals (and therefore, cancer) is well know. How do you measure that? I know from my own experience with health concerns unrelated to Mona Vie, the same treatment will not impact two different people in the same way in the same time frame. There are too many variables to say this will definitely work for you in this time period, and with a product like Mona Vie, one of those variable is the amount consumed. Who knows, that next bottle could be the one to put you over the edge!
I am truly sorry that you did not get the results you wanted. I have no answers for you related to Mona Vie. I am praying for your divine healing.
What results were you looking for?
This was a good and honest article about acai. I’ve been drinking an acai juice blend for about 2 years now and have found that I do receive health benefits but would have a hard time believing that it helps in weight loss (my own weight loss comes from small portions/exercise & I count the acai juice blend into my caloric intake).
Acai is everywhere — celebrities are drinking and eating the berries, doctors recommend it and of course tons of companies are in business to capitalize off the acai berry juice.
The acai fruit is mostly found on the beaches of Brazil and Peru. a few hundred years ago Brazilians began to harvest acai in an attempt to overcome a shortage of food. They originally extracted juice from the acai fruit to make red wine.
Then you should look into Mona Vie Pulse, it contains Resveratrol and all natural and it did help lower my cholesteral. The Mona Vie Active helped me with inflammation in my neck and back and my immune system is rock solid. Your talking about 19 fruits not just 1, so potent stuff!!!
Well can't say much. Because I have come across different people all ahving tried Acai but having different reviews. Many have reported blood pressure problems after trying this.
I have to say. I am an asmatic and I started drinking Mona Via and to my surprise my asthma started getting better. I also had more energy and was able to walk 2 miles without any weezing or coughing. I had to stop taking the Mona Via due to the cost of the product and now my symptoms are back and my energy is zapped again. I am going to try a product that is sold at Costco and Sams Club called Fruit a Vie it looks to be comparible to the Mona Via but the cost is only 18.00 instead of 40.00. .
Hi Tracy…You know you can get your MonaVie paid for easily. Send me a message at casualliving@gamil.com and put MonaVie in the subject. I will send you the information and I promise no hassles. I don't think you are going to be able happy with the results you get from the other stuff. It just won't be the same.
Sharon
There is nothing new on the face of the earth, only those things high tech marketing techniques think will turn a profit. Make it rare, make it unknown, make it limited, make a fortune.
Hi there, I found your blog via Google while searching for first aid for a heart attack and your post looks very interesting for me.
Hey Bill…It's the American way!!!
I came across your blog when searching for a good article to read. I like your point, it contains some really cool stuff but must have to go now.
Thanks for the wonderful info! It was very helpful for my TV spot on acai "weight loss scams"!
http://elitenutritiondc.com/2010/03berry-talk-wat...