Common Names: acai, acai berry, a\u00e7a\u00ed<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Latin Names: Euterpe oleracea, Euterpe badiocarpa<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Background<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\uf0a7 The acai palm tree, native to tropical Central and South America, produces a deep purple fruit. The acai fruit has long been an important food source for indigenous peoples of the Amazon region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\uf0a7 Acai products have become popular in the United States, where they have been promoted for weight-loss and anti-aging purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\uf0a7 The Federal Trade Commission has taken action against companies that marketed acai weight-loss products in allegedly deceptive ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\uf0a7 Acai fruit pulp has been used experimentally as an oral contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the digestive tract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Much Do We Know?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\uf0a7 Very little research has been done in people on the health effects of acai products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Have We Learned?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\uf0a7 There’s no definitive scientific evidence based on studies in people to support the use of acai for any health-related purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\uf0a7 No independent studies have been published in peer-reviewed journals that substantiate claims that acai alone promotes rapid weight loss. When investigating the safety profile of an acai-fortified juice in rats, researchers found no differences in body weight changes between animals given the juice and animals not given the juice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\uf0a7 A preliminary study suggested that eating acai fruit pulp might reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels in people who are overweight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\uf0a7 Laboratory studies have focused on acai’s potential antioxidant properties, and a juice blend with acai as the main ingredient has been shown to have an antioxidant effect in people. (Antioxidants are substances that may protect cells against certain types of damage.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Do We Know About Safety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\uf0a7 Acai pulp appears to be safe when consumed in the amounts commonly used in foods; however, drinking unprocessed acai juice has been linked to an illness called American trypanosomiasis (also known as Chagas disease).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\uf0a7 Consuming acai might affect MRI test results. If you use acai products and are scheduled for an MRI, check with your health care provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\uf0a7 Little is known about whether it\u2019s safe to use acai during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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