Is it a superfood? The truth about the acai berry, acai juice, and acai diets
85Introduction
The acai berry and the juice produced from it is big news at the moment. Touted as everything from a miracle weight-loss aid to a wonderful anti-oxidant superfood, the acai berries are big business right now. And this has caused lots of internet users to get spam telling them they can lose X pounds a week, burn fat, and feel great.
I don't sell any acai products, or invest in anyone who sells such stuff. This review is from my own research, as I looked into the products and the science quite carefully when deciding whether or not to take it myself. So rest assured, I'm not trying to flog you some dodgy supplements or pills!
So what are the facts? What is the evidence about the real benefits, if any, of the acai berry and the juice and supplements produced and marketed so avidly at the moment?
And what are the myths? What scams are out there, and how can you avoid them?
This article looks at the truth behind the acai hype.
What is the acai berry? Where does it grow?
The acai berries come from a Brazilian rainforest tree, called the acai palm. The tree produces two lots of berries per year, in large bunches of 1,000 or so grape-sized berries. One tree, often about 20 metres tall, produces something like 25kg of acai fruit a year.
For indigenous tribes in the Amazon rainforest, the acai berry is an important food source, and is eaten as a major part of people's diets. Most of the berry is taken up by a seed, and it's the remaining 10 - 15%, the acai pulp, that is eaten or made into drinks.
Over the past couple of decades, acai has become more popular in Brazil in general, and is drunk as juice and used as a flavour in foods such as sorbets and ice-cream.
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What claims are made for the acai berry or acai juice?
You will find, all over the internet, claims that acai supplements or acai juice can help you lose weight, burn fat, increase energy levels, lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, improve digestion, detox, encourage good quality sleep, and reduce the risk of cancer. Acai berry juice is also touted as being a great anti-oxidant, reducing damaging free radicals.
Phew! That's quite a list. Does the evidence stack up?
What's in the acai berry?
The nutritional content is impressive.
Once acai berries are picked, they go off quite quickly. So the acai products you buy are made in one of two ways – freeze-dried pulp, or frozen pulp. Tests on good freeze-dried powder show high levels of carbs and fat, and lots of different nutrients.
The technical details of the nutrients in acai extract
There are two main anthocyanins in acai powder, cyandin 3-glucoside and cyanidin 3-rutinoside. There are also proanthocyanidins, namely polymers, homoorientin, orientin, isovitexin, scoparin, and taxifolin deoxyhexose. Oleic and palmitic acids are common, and there are 19 different animo acids to be found.
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Are acai claims justified? The three main sets of claims examined
In the links at the bottom of this article, I've included some of the scentific research done into acai berries and juice, so that you can read it yourself should you wish to see the original work.
Anti-oxidant properties.
The scientific analysis of acai extracts appear to show high and beneficial levels of anti-oxidants. In the case of some types of anti-oxidant, it had the highest levels of any food tested. The anti-oxidants were found to be in a form which could easily enter human cells, and it appears can do a lot of good. There is further evidence that anti-oxidants in berries can indeed help treat cancer, although the research is in its early stages and is far from definite. So in this respect, the evidence seems to support the claims that acai can be a great addition to your diet.
Weight loss
I have seen absolutely nothing which supports the idea that acai juice or the acai berry will help you burn fat or lose much weight, apart from websites which sell the stuff! If you are eating healthily and exercising, consuming acai might well improve your sense of well-being as you lose weight, but that's it. There's nothing of the weight-loss-magic-bullet about acai juice, unless you are a company selling it.
Some people swear it has helped them lose weight, but until there are proper, scientific trials, I'm far from convinced.
General well-being and energy levels
This is something of a subjective test. Lots of people do feel it makes them feel well and energetic. It's hard to measure, of course, and I've not seen scientific trials specifically on this (although the properties set out in the anti-oxidant categories might well make you feel good).
Overall, it seems that there are a lot of good things to be said about acai juice or pulp, and nothing bad. It's been massively over-hyped, of course, but the research I've done has lead me to conclude it's worth adding to my diet, and I've done so.
Link to blog which investigates diet scams
This does not appear to be a valid RSS feed.Buying acai – be careful!
All acai is not created equal. A lot of products advertised as “acai berry drink” or “acai juice drink” contain a vanishingly-small amount of real acai juice at a hefty premium. So read the label, and make sure you are getting what you think you are paying for!
Acai products are generally made from either freeze-dried powder, or frozen pulp. Because the berries go off so quickly after being harvested, fresh acai berries aren't available unless you live in the Amazon!
You need to check out the company from which you choose to buy, and check what the other ingredients are. There is no point taking a supplement or drinking a juice containing lots of nasty preservatives, for example.
Acai scams
From my reviewing the acai for sale on the web, I've noticed one particular thing to be VERY CAREFUL of when buying acai online.
A lot of website offer a "free trial" of their acai juice, acai capsules, etc. But you have to enter your credit card details, and as part of the small print in the terms and conditions, you've actually signed up to paying a huge amount per month indefinitely. So a free trial, yes, but repeat bills for up to $100 a month on-going!
You can get good-quality acai powder, or acai juice, for much, much less than this. Buy from a well-known retailer, such as Amazon, and don't pay through the nose!
You also need to check the ingredients list - some products out there are labelled as acai juice or capsules, but actually contain very little acai and lots of other things.
The next section of this article includes links to a website which has investigated various acai-based net scams.
Links to the scientific evidence
- Antioxidant capacity and other bioactivities of the acai berry
A summary of the properties found in freeze-dried acai berry products. This research looked at what is in the powder, and how much of it per 100 grams is found. - Pharmacokinetics of Anthocyanins and Antioxidant Effects after the Consumption of Anthocyanin-Rich A
A summary of the conclusions drawn from a scientific study on consumption of acai juice and acai pulp, with control samples in the study. It wasn't a huge study group, but still interesting research. - The Institute for Optimum Nutrition's page on acai berries and acai diet
This British charity seeks to inform and educate the public about nutrition and diet. The page linked to here is their page about acai, but they also have a great deal of other interesting material on the site.
Is the acai berry a superfood?
In my mind, yes. The antioxidants are impressive, and I feel well drinking it. Not a magic bullet, not the elixir of life, but great stuff!
CommentsLoading...
Yeah, funny that!
Great hub, LG......my husband and I were just talking about this today. We went to our favorite health food & supplement store and they have all sorts of acai products there. We wondered if there was any truth to any of the hype.
I hope the above helps, KCC - I looked into it quite carefully before I bought some. I think it's great, it's just not a magic pill for all ills!
It was very helpful LG.......my husband is a supplement freak.....he takes handfuls of all sorts of things. He's big on his flax seed and fish oils. He may want to try it.
Are these similar to gordooni. I am in the process of trying gordooni out and would try anythin so as to knock off some flab... Is it advisable taking this along with gordooni - Any advise ?
Do you mean Hoodia Gordonii? If you do, they aren't at all the same.
Hoodia is a plant which (in some species) may cause a person's appetite to diminish or disappear for a bit. You need to be careful - there are a lot of scam Hoodia Gordonii products, and even the real deal hasn't been tested much scientifically.
Acai is a berry from an Amazonian tree. No know side-effects, and it's been a large part of local people's diets for a very long time. It's a great anti-oxidant, but nothing concrete proven about weight loss.
Acai? This is the first time I have come across any term like this. But now I know what it is.
Well when I started reading this hub, it said that It could be used to reduce weight too apart from providing good anti-oxidants. Well so far anti-oxidants goes, I know there are many things that have it like Green Tea (I think I am correct) but how can consuming something will reduce your weight? But then you answered the question yourself later in this hub.
There are many people who will just go for anything that could be shown in glamorous state and be hyped about. This Hub will prove good not only for them but for all in general. Thanks, it was a good reading.
Acai is way over-hyped, which is a shame, as it is great for what it is, and shouldn't be spoiled by wild claims and rip-offs.
Over hyping and extra promotion has become a sort of marketing policy today. They think making anything glamorous could be easily sold. It is very important to do self-judgement before going for anything.
LondonGirl - great hub. After having done literally hundreds of articles on the acai berry - I honestly thought that it was too hyped up too. That's the sad part - when a craze goes overboard, expectations do too and people tend to forget the essential goodness a product offers!
Guess a colon cleanse before commencing any of these appetite diminishers, has a great effect. Quite shocking to see all the stuff that comes out after the cleanse.
OK, so now I know what all of these spam emails I get with ACAI BERRY on the subject are about! I admit, I didn't ahve a clue, whether it was a brand or a pill or what! Thanks for this simple, easy to get, "user's manual" :-)
Thank you great article.
I like you feel the acai berry is way over rated especially for supposed weight loss.
Sometimes I get so furious at many products throwing in that it will aid weight loss.
It is so unfair to those that really want to lose weight and the poor souls spend a fortune trying this that and the next thing in trying to lose weight, these manufacturers should actually be shot in the way they get the overweight to spend fortunes on trying and nothing actually ever happens for them.
There is only one way to lose weight and those of us in the know do it without spending a fortune or starving.
Thanks again Di
Hi LG
I've only come across acai berries as a random additive in occassional cartons of smoothie. I've seen a little of the hype on said cartons, but I've never been sufficiently seduced by the info to seek them out as a stand-alone item. Your hub is really interesting though,and I shall certainly look out for acai products when I'm next in Brighton.
Shalini - it's a shame when something good is over-hyped, as the real and actual benefits get lost in the scams.
Affiliator - there is no real evidence that acai berry stuff does help control the appetite - the benefits are real, but not to do with weight loss, in my view.
I just recently got this juice and somehow I didn't like the taste that much. But if the health benefits are so many then probably I might buy it again. Thanks for informing us LG.
Elena - sadly, it's become a spammer's favourtie, which is a shame!
Diana - I agree, it's really wrong that people seek to exploit those who want to lose weight, and the scammers are getting more sophisticated as well, setting up fake "I lost weight with it" blogs, etc.
Hi Amanda - I first came across it in the Innocent smoothie, which has acai, and a couple of other things.
Countrywoman - I'm not keen on the juice on its own (it's a very weird flavour, don't you think?) but I mix it with pomegranate juice, and they go together very well and the mix is much nicer than acai juice on its own.
LG- Thanks for that nice tip. Now I will buy pomegranate juice and try this cocktail.
I also tried mixing it with orange juice - not a good taste.
You seem to have tried various permutations. I guess you can have a good hub about various juice cocktails especially for those juices which are strong by themselves like Acai or cran berry.
i tried mona vie and i did not see any difference. it was a waste of my money.
You've answered a lot of questions I've had about this. I figured the weight-loss hype was just that...hype. One thing....how does it taste?
Karen
Hi Karen - I know it's not helpful, but it tastes different from anything else and is therefore rather hard to describe!
Personally, I don't like it much on its own. My other half does. I mix it with pomegranate juice (2 parts pom to 1 part acai and 3 parts water, but I always dilute fruit juices) and then it tastes great - the pomegranate juice really works with it.
LondonGirl -another excellent hub , i will try this juice
Thanks Lgali - as above, try mixing with other juices if the flavour on its own isn't for you.
I wonder how they have been able to convince people about the weight loss thing. The product is selling like crazy. With Oprah backing up the product, it has been able to gain mass acceptability. I don't know if it's fair to do that. Thx for all that research and info.
I suppose if you say something enough, people come to believe it, no matter how untrue it is.
London,
Very informative Hub! I had thought of trying the stuff but decided to wait for more info. It's good that antioxidents are there, etc, but doesn't seem to be the weight loss miracle we're all hoping for, LOL! Good timing, thanks again,
Madison
Sorry to say, no miracles yet!
Great Hub and info! I really like the taste of acai. What it don't like is all the acai hype and "miracle weight loss" supplements. I guess it is to be expected though- especially since so many people still want to believe there is a magic pill.
I fear you are right - people want to believe it is true.
To all who are buying online from a company for the first time, get a single use card from your regular credit card outfit. They will most helpful in supplying you with this really great protection against companies that try to milk your account for hidden add-ons. It would be great to see the look on the faces of the marketing company when they try to scam you for more and more of their stuff.
Good hub, well written in good reporting style
I have to agree with jedgrey.
This is a really good hub.
Your style is close of a jornalist candidate of a pulizzer.
We have to take care what we buy online.
It is quite important not to rush on fast decisions.
Jedgrey - I've not heard of one-use credit cards before, they sound like a great idea for online shopping! Particularly with dodgy companies.
Hi The Eye - I agree, it's a good idea to be careful about buying online, and better to buy from known companies, not random ones.
LondonGirl -thanks for nice advice
Great post LondonGirl, people misuse and hype it like it is a season of choice. But I think overall acai is a good thing to have along with others.
Great hub. I think acai is delicious - like a chocolatey berry - but it has no other benefits beyond other dark-colored berries like blueberries or blackberries. I think the "Brazilian" connection conjures images of suntanned Brazilians in bikinis, so the completely false weight-loss and fat-burning claims were easy to sell.
Cgull8em - I agree, it's overall a good thing, but the hype is silly.
Livelonger - I hope I made it clear that the weight-loss was bogus!
I've always wondered about this stuff. It seemed real, it seemed true and now I know! thanks. By the way there is so much coming out from native foods in Australia its almost ridiculous. Ridiculous only that we didn't pay attention to this stuff much earlier. I'm pleased to know that its locally available, although I do wish it was more readily available!
I like it, just don't buy into any of the miracle hype!
Yep, keep a super cool head when listening to 'miracles'. Hey now wouldn't that be a great superfood that gave you that ability! lol
It would be nice, but I'm not counting on it any time soon....
Thanks for sharing LondonGirl
Great hub. But, I am interested at how so many folks have the time and energy to follow these fads! It was the Atkins diet, then Pomegranate now acai berries. I say we go back to just eating right, exercizing and taking a multi-vitamin daily.
Pomegranate juice is really nice. OH has always drunk it - it's popular in Israel, where he was born - and he introduced me to it.
Excellent Hub! . I have tried acai before but didnt really like the taste of it so i switched to cranberry juice. I'll give it another go.
By itself, I'm not keen either (my other half does like it neat). Mixed with pomegranate, it's really nice.
It makes me irritated how some websites have used the acai berry claims to get unsuspecting consumers to buy their product. I once told a lady who printed out ten dollars worth of information about this websites juice products that they were giving her a run for her money. She believe the website's claims that it would help her lose lots of weight, and I feel many people are falling for these claims without doing proper research. This is hub is good information that will help people make informed decisions. As you said quality acai berries have many good qualities, but are not miracle weight loss potiions. Unfortunately, many are using this unstable economy to scam people, just as we see many new online marketers every day on Hubpages and other sites.
Sadly, I agree with you, the scamsters have really grabbed on to acai as a profitable scheme.
However, I was glad to hear about some of the real qualities regarding the acai berry. I still have yet to try it, but I have wanted to for awhile.
Do - but consider mixing it with pomegranate. Some people liek it neat, I'm not so keen.
Pomegranite is supposed to contain the most antioxidants, or so I have always believed, more than Goji berries, (wolfberries) cranberries the list goes on.
I had a colleague that purchased quite a bit of this acai berry product, she is still the same size, but claims, she has lost the weight. (in her wallet)
Yes, it's a great way to lose £ instead of lb.....
There are some great things about acai berries. But weight loss isn't among them.
I heard so much about this berry. I haven't bought any of the supplements or juice. I guess the best way to lose weight is the old fashion way.
couldn't agree more. It does have really good properties, but dieting and losing weight isn't among them.
Acai is a great product but it is being over-hyped on so many websites claiming weight loss and cleansing. I buy the juice at Costco which is very tasty. The Orac value is very high and I found a new berry with every higher Orac value which is called Maqui. Unfortunately one company is doing the MLM thing. Nice Hub
Thank you for reading and commenting. I agree, those pyramid schemes are almost always worth avoiding like the plague (or like cliche)
Good information. I never totally believe all of the claims, thanks for providing a more realistic view!
Anything that sounds too good to be true - probably is!
I think I will stick to my favorites: blueberries, blackberries and strawberries which i'm looking forward to new harvest soon.
all those are fantastic in both taste and nutrition.
I take the (cheap) Spring Valley, acai supplement from Walmart. I have taken it for several months now. While my sons have had several colds, and I am usually good for catching one or two, I haven't been sick (knock on wood) this whole miserable winter season.
Thank you for this great info. I too believe in its antioxidant qualities, but shop around, you don't have to pay a fortune for it!
Hi Kristiann - I agree with you - there are very expensive versions out there, and lots of pyramid-type scams as well. But you don't have to pay through the nose for it!
Really great hub, thank you. I take Acai and agree it isn't the weight loss panacea everyone is making it out to be, but I do feel better for taking it, so I do recommend!
Thanks
Derek
yup, a supplement, not a magic pill!
LG-taste is little better with O Juice
Do you mean orange juice?
If so, I've found the two don't go well together (for my taste) they curdle a bit. I prefer pomegranate
yes LG
Great info
Hi LondonGirl,
Wow Amazing Hub on acai berry! Very insightful! Very informative! I am rating this thumbs way up! Join my fan club and let the world know about your great insights!
Wishing You, Health, Wealth and Happiness!!!
Jim
Hi LondonGirl,
Wow Amazing Hub on acai berry! Very insightful! Very informative! I am rating this thumbs way up! Join my fan club and let the world know about your great insights!
Wishing You, Health, Wealth and Happiness!!!
Jim
Hi Londongirl, first of all i want to thank you for building a nice and informative hub. Yes, acai berry products are becoming more popular nowadays specially after backing of Oprah. Anyway, there are other manufacturers using the brand name of acai and selling some fake products. So it is my appeal to the people who want to use acai berry products for weight loss is to get full information about any product before going to buy it.
Thanks
Thanks for reading - I haven't seen any evidence of weight loss potential for acai, but I do think it's a good supplement.
Very insightful! Very informative! I am rating this thumbs way up!
I've found the two don't go well together (for my taste) they curdle a bit. I prefer pomegranate
I have taken it for several months now. While my sons have had several colds, and I am usually good for catching one or two
Glad you enjoyed it - pomegranate is best with acai juice (in my opinion).
Thank you for your review - very informative. I buy frozen acai and blend in fresh apple juice or an apple and it is delicious. I will try pomegranate however. I use it for general health benefits not for losing weight. Not sure whether I can mention another hub here (if inappropriate - please delete) I lost 18 llbs by following the protocol mentioned on Kelly Eidem's hub. I have managed to keep it off as well - yipee!!
Pomegranate is a good mixture, give it a try. And I agree, it's a general supplement, not a weight loss miracle.
Drinking eight ounces of pomegranate juice daily for three months improved the amount of oxygen getting to the heart muscle of patients with coronary heart disease
I agree with you, the scamsters have really grabbed on to acai as a profitable scheme.I am rating this thumbs way up!
It's nothing more than a fruit that Marketing People have jumped all over. First it was Noni, Then Mangosteen, Now Acai.
People want shortcuts to health. There are no shortcuts to health.
It's like all the claims about Oatmeal and Cholesterol. Peoples Cholesterol was more likely to decline NOT because they were eating Oatmeal, but because they were NOT eating all the other crap they ate before.
I'm also a big fan of the acai berry, there's nothing like it on earth. Great hub, keep them coming
acai can help but it will show result after many days its real fact every thing need time to show result
Nice well balanced and informative hub about the acai berry craze.
I think credible information helps to put things into perspective.
I had twins 2.5 years ago and then my third 10 months ago I gained 40 pounds went from 120 to 160.I couldn't go to the gym or really go out by myself so really no excersise and weight was just adding on.I have been on the acai berry juice MonaVie and the pills for the last 2 month 2 cups of juice and 2 pills a day with no excercise and not changing my eating habits and I have lost the 30 LBS!!!! my body has never felt like this my body looks amazing I've told my friends who had weight issues for alot longer then me and have lost a dramatic amount of weight.one friend has lost 52 pounds in just under 2 months with no excersise just daily walks so I do belive the Acai berry diet works it's worked for me and about 60 of my friends
The best thing about this berry is its taste!
The best thing about this berry is its taste!
I agree with you - there are very expensive versions out there, and lots of pyramid-type scams as well. But you don't have to pay through the nose for it!
I not only like the way you put pen to paper but the detailed research as well. It seems as if you've left no stone unturned. What a great Hub.
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justmesuzanne Level 6 Commenter 3 years ago
Isn't it interesting how all the magic weight loss formulas tell include a diet and exercise program? It's amazing they have been able to continue selling people on the idea that anything other than diet and exercise will help people get to the proper weight! Thanks for the info! :)