Açaí is a unique kind of berry that grows on palm trees in equatorial Brazil.
Contents
Uses
Some weight loss products tout acai, but few studies have tested whether acai promotes weight loss.
There’s no doubt that berries and other fruits are a key part of any healthy diet. The jury’s still out on whether there is something special about acai’s ability to help shed excess pounds.
Some cosmetics and beauty products include acai oil because of its antioxidants.
Acai oil may be a safe alternative to other tropical oils used in beauty products, such as facial and body creams, anti-aging skin therapies, shampoos, and conditioners. When acai oil is processed and stored long-term, the antioxidant levels remain high.
Benefits
Acai berry powder has excellent content of some essential nutrients, but the powder sold as a health capsule or elixir is sour, oily, fibrous and unpleasant to use in a typical liquid beverage. It may be fine in smoothies, with other fruits and ingredients blended in, but you’re still paying the pricey cost of açaí powder that cannot be practically used without other ingredients.
The powder is produced from the original berry using special freeze-drying processes that make it expensive and an impractical purchase for most consumers.
Although freeze-drying does destroy some of the nutrients and natural plant chemicals we prefer to have in fruits we consume, açaí powder is notably rich in dietary fiber, calcium, iron and vitamin E.
Then there are the claims that açaí powder helps you lose weight. Think about it this way: Oddly for a berry, açaí has exceptional oil content, a high-calorie source that would actually cause weight gain if sufficient amounts were consumed. So don’t be fooled by marketing hype.
Cautions
If you have pollen allergies or are sensitive to acai or similar berries, you may want to avoid this fruit. When eaten in moderate amounts, though, acai is likely safe.
Interactions
None are recorded.
Other names
n/a
References
Source: WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/diet/acai-berries-and-acai-berry-juice-what-are-the-health-benefits
LiveStrong, http://www.livestrong.com/article/114642-benefits-acai-berry-powder/
Healwithfood, http://www.healwithfood.org/health-benefits/acai-berry-antioxidant-superfood.php