The Acai Berry Hoax

Weight loss supplementation is a billion-dollar industry. Every supplement known to man has come and gone, from laxatives, to metabolic boosters, to fat trappers. Some work and others only drain the wallet. The new kid on the block is Açaí berry, and Oprah and Rachel Ray are its biggest fans.

The açaí “berry” is actually a fruit. Its shape, size and color remind people of grapes. But unlike grapes, it doesn’t contain very much pulp. And similar to the pit of a plumb, açaí contains a single large seed. The fruit grows on trees, with approx. 800 units per panicle (which is something like a branch). Açaí are harvested and are a staple food in under-developed regions of the world. In fact, in a 1999 study of three ethnic groups in the Brazilian Amazon, açaí palm was found to be such a major part of their diet, that more than 40% of their meals contained this fruit.

Acai juice, extract and pulp are consumed in various blended drinks, smoothies, ice cream, liqueurs and even in sodas. In the south of Brazil it is consumed in a bowl mixed with granola. Aside from the popular talk show hosts named above, physicians such as Dr. Perricone have publicly called it one of the Earth’s Superfoods. But why?

Theoretically, if one eats less, has more energy, is not bloated, has regular bowel movements, proper digestion and their liver and kidneys are working properly… they should lose weight. But does taking açaí supplements or enhanced juices actually lead to weight loss?

To be honest, it doesn’t seem this is true. As of today, there have been no controlled studies carried out to support all these claims—let alone the weight-loss miracle claim! Even Dr. Oz is rethinking his stance on the issue and digging deeper into the facts to determine if açaí is truly the new weight-loss giant that marketing firms keep telling us it is.

However, research has found (in varying degrees) that açaí contains very high levels of antioxidants. It is touted and marketed in the United States as being able to simultaneously decrease appetite, increase energy, remove excess waste from the body, cure constipation, decrease bloating and water retention, relieve muscle cramps, aches and pain, lower cholesterol, reverse diabetes, improve heart and digestive health while cleansing the system. Wow!

So if açaí can’t shed those pounds like the natural miracle berry we have been told it is, at least consuming it can help you remain healthy and strong. And while the researchers prove the weight loss aspect true or false, get to the gym and burn those calories… and leave the bacon behind.

The lesson learned here is this: Let’s not wait around to discover if research can prove that acai is the new weight loss miracle. Let’s face it – quick fix weight loss products have never proven to be effective. Get back to the basics and take control of your health the natural way!