In recent years we’ve seen the term ‘superfood’ thrown around in a rather gung ho fashion, paving the way for all kinds of questionable health supplements and fad marketing ploys.
One such potential superfood is the acai berry, which is a small purple fruit which grows at the tops of palm trees throughout Central and South America
Celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, and more recently Dr. Oz, have made some pretty outlandish claims about the health benefits of this humble berry, few or even none of which have actually been substantiated with any kind of evidence.
It can often be tempting to buy into the latest marketing gimmick or miracle cure being plugged by famous personalities, but we have seen time and time again that the results of such products often do not live up to the promises of those who have a vested financial interest in, well, selling them.
With this in mind, let’s put our skeptic hats on and take a closer look at the acai berry to see what the fuss is really all about.
The Real Benefits of Acai
…as an Antioxidant
A 2006 study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry demonstrated the acai berry in freeze dried form does exhibit some potential antioxidant activity, largely by inhibiting the potentially inflammatory enzymes COX-1 and COX-2[2].
Furthermore, a study published in May this year in the BCM Complimentary and Alternative Medicine Journal quite clearly demonstrated that acai shows a great deal of antitumorigenic potential in the MCF-7 cell line[3]. This cell line is particularly relevant to sufferers of breast cancer, so supplementing with an extracted form of acai – in combination with a more standard course of chemotherapy as prescribed by a doctor – could have therapeutic effects in this context.
…as an Immune and Cognitive Booster
Oxidative stress can wreak havoc on just about every system in the human body, but of particular interest to us is the immune system.
Another study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in 2012 showed that the freeze dried pulp of acai berry exhibits a protective effect of microglial cells including MEOH, ETOH, and ACE fractions[4]., This is also in combination with a very large reduction in p-38-MPAK, tumor necrosis factor-α, nuclear factor κB; and as we saw above, COX-2.
As the research group went on to remark: “The current study offers valuable insights into the protective effects of açai pulp fractions on brain cells, which could have implications for improved cognitive and motor functions.”
This could have highly significant implications for patients suffering with diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
…as a Weight Loss Aid
Although there is currently no data demonstrating acai’s properties as a fat burning aid, an uncontrolled pilot study was published in the Nutrition Journal in 2011 which showed that markers of metabolic disease such as HDL and LDL cholesterol were reduced in overweight subjects[5].
This could have profound effects on safeguarding the health of obese and heavily overweight individuals, providing a possible boost to life expectancy and overall quality of life.
…as an Anti-Inflammatory Agent
Another study published in 2011, this time in the Journal of Medicinal Food, showed that consuming a fruit juice containing acai berry for a period of 12 weeks afforded certain benefits including reduced pain and increased range of motion[6].
While further study is required to further substantiate these claims, this certainly paints a very promising picture for proponents of acai berry.
…as Protection Against Emphysema
This time we look to our friends down in Brazil for a 2011 study which showed that acai berry stone extract exhibited a protective effect on mice who were exposed to cigarette smoke, which is the leading cause of emphysema[7].
The research group exposed one group of mice to cigarette smoke and another group to smoke from cigarettes containing 100mg of a hydroalcoholic extract of açai berry stone, and oxidative stress as determined by antioxidant enzyme activity was reduced markedly.
The study concludes by speculating that the addition of acai to commercial cigarette brands could actually help to reduce their harmful effects.
…and the Rest
In addition to the studies cited so far, we can also see acai’s potential benefits in the areas of mast cell accumulation[8] and neurological health[9].
It is also worth nothing that acai berry is particularly high in mineral content, especially manganese[10]. Manganese is an essential mineral which is found in trace amounts in every animal, and is crucial for the maintenance of liver, kidney, and brain health[11].
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