Acai berries have been categorized by many marketers as a “superfood.” A superfood is a term sometimes used to describe food with high phytonutrient content that would offer health benefits as a result. Examples of commonly accepted superfoods are blueberries since they contain a most significant amount of antioxidants, or tomatoes, because not only are they rich in vitamins, but they also contain lycopene, which is linked to research showing it reduces prostate cancer.

So before discussing acai there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, take note how every other marketing strategy loosely uses the term “superfood,” offering the latest and greatest product that will either cure cancer, make you high school skinny or reverse aging. The term “superfood” in fact, has no place in a scientific dictionary. In other words, there is no evidence-based science behind any food that alone can replace the benefits of balance and health in overall dietary intake. Granted, there is authenticity in that some foods are healthy and others are not, but the perception of superfood is an advent of marketing, culture and society. Furthermore, there is no legal definition for the term and it has been alleged as an over-used selling tool.

Now that I have all the skeptics of marketing plots on my side, getting down to the Acai berry is the task on hand. The acai berry, the fruit of the acai palm tree found in Central and South America, is a small reddish, purple fruit. It’s mushy pulp has been found to have a relatively high antioxidant quality (relative in comparison to other fruits rich in vitamins A, C and E.) In other words, similar to blueberries and tomatoes as mentioned above, it may help prevent diseases that are cause by oxidative stress such as cancer and heart disease. The mechanism of an antioxidant neutralizes the instability of dangerous free radicals in cells, protecting cells from life’s stressors.

Many of my clients have asked what my opinion is on the acai berry diet as a weight loss tool (as it has so been advertised). On doing some research, I did not find any valuable scientifically based evidence that tested weight loss to be a benefit of the acai fruit. There certainly is plenty of research on its antioxidant quantity and quality. Acai berries, as well as other foods rich in antioxidants, can therefore play a role in a healthy diet, and a healthy diet is usually the key to optimal body composition. But, and I stress, there is no special property of the acai berry that melts off the fat. Furthermore, be careful of being scammed into buying “the Acai Berry diet” or “Acai Berry Detox,” or “AcaiBurn.” Or “Acai Berry edge”… (yada yada yada), all of these, no doubt, offer expensive brand named supplements to get you high school skinny, or a the very least full of energy by processing food more efficiently and boosting the metabolism. The Acai Detox program assures the removal of toxic build up, that is obviously weighing you down. I have even noticed one advert that claims a guaranteed quick weight loss of 20 lbs a week, with no need to exercise. Come on now, if you believe this, then look up the word “gullable” in the dictionary and you may just see your own reflection.

You may question why these preposterous claims are allowed to be made then. Surely their evidence must have some truth. Always keep in mind that over the counter supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) like pharmacological drugs are, and therefore there is more freedom to falsify claims for a huge financial benefit.

Ok, so there are many satisfied customers that use cosmetics and beauty products that contain acai oil in the ingredient list. Any powerhouse of antioxidants when processed and stored long term correctly can preserve the antioxidant effect. The antioxidant levels will remain high and can offer the same neutralization of free radicals in the skins cells to promote high quality body creams, shampoos, etc. Studies show that acai oil may be a safe alternative to other tropical oils used in beauty products.

In summary, eating acai berries and using acai based beauty products can certainly address various health conditions but no more so than any fruit with a high antioxidant content (such as blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, grapes, tomatoes, etc.). Don’t forget the hype on the Hoodia Plant found in Africa a few years ago, or the fat burning potential of grapefruit many decades ago, or even the super quality of pomegrantes from the tropical islands. Today, these words can be replaced with Acai berry, coconut water and Goji fruit. And so the proverbial torch gets passed… as long as there is a new and improved selling edge that offers a good hypothesis for a quick fix, these superhero superfood superfruits and the hype (or rather “hope”) that goes hand in hand with them, will live forever. All of them undoubtedly do offer an individual benefit, but never neglect the power of a well-balanced, rich in color, non-processed diet, with its vital side kick, called exercise.