Acai Benefits

Why Acai?

Smart Choices For Healthy Living

Acai Benefits & Research

For centuries, acai berries have been used for food, beverages, medicines and dyes by the Amazon people. It is no wonder that Brazilians call the palmberry tree, the “Tree of Life.”

Traditionally used to treat digestive orders and skin conditions, modern research studies are suggesting much greater health benefits.

A lot of claims are being made about Acai’s potential health benefits. Unfortunately, most of these have not been proven scientifically. Because Acai is highly perishable and has only been available in processed forms for the last few years, research is only in the very early stages. Many long term studies and clinical trials will be required in order to determine the full health benefits.

In the meantime, manufacturers, distributors, and consumer testimonials would have us believe that Acai is a cure for whatever ails you. Here are some of the benefits attributed to Acai:

Improves cellular health
Fights or prevents diabetes
Prevents cancer growth
Acts as a powerful-inflammatory
Slows the progression of Alzheimer’s
Helps to prevent stroke
Fights infection
Prevents premature aging
Improves eyesight
Controls or lowers cholesterol
Improves blood circulation
Improves digestive health
Improves skeletal strength
Protects the heart
Controls prostrate enlargement
Increases energy, libido and stamina
Promotes healthy, glowing skin and hair
Supports a healthy immune system
Aids weight control by decreasing appetite and delaying hunger

Can it really do all these things? It’s just soon to tell. But we do know that many of the compounds found in Acai have proven effective in the prevention or treatment of many of these conditions.

It’s the Antioxidants!
Most of the potential health benefits can be traced to Acai’s potent antioxidant properties. Since many diseases have a component of oxidative stress at their origins, the potential benefits for a high-antioxidant fruit like Acai are numerous. Studies suggest that antioxidants may be helpful in the prevention or treatment of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic inflammation, cognitive disorders, anti--aging, and bacterial infections, among others.

But Acai contains a lot more than just antioxidants!

Calcium
We know that calcium can help prevent osteoporosis. Calcium helps to strengthen bones and prevent fractures. Calcium is also helpful in developing healthy teeth and gums. Calcium rich foods tend to coat the lining of the stomach and uterus, and may reduce the pain that comes from cramps and bloating.

Potassium
Potassium is the most abundant mineral in the acai berry. It is essential to the body’s regulation of water balance, acidity levels and blood pressure regulation. Is also essential to the proper transmission of electrical impulses in the heart.

High Fiber Content
Fiber is essential to cardiovascular and digestive health. The high fiber content in Acai may help lower cholesterol and help prevent colon cancer.

Amino Acids and Fatty Acids
Amino acids and essential fatty acids are key to muscle development regeneration. In addition to promoting hearth health, oleic acid, one of the fatty acids found in Acai, is believed to block the action of a cancer-causing oncogene found in about 30 per cent of breast cancer patients. Fatty acids can lower cholesterol, and are believed to promote healthy joint function by lubricating the membranes that cushion joints and bones.

Low Glycemic Levels Index
Acai’s low glycemic index may help improve glucose and lipid levels in diabetic individuals. It may also aid weight control by helping to control appetite and delay hunger.

Although research is still in the very early stages, there have been some important studies. We've included information on some of the more recent ones with links to abstracts of the published articles.

Acai’s Antioxidant Properties
Two studies led by Alex Schauss from AIBMR Life Sciences, along with colleagues from the US Department of Agriculture and the University of California, in 2006 examined the antioxidant capacity of OptiAcai-brand freeze-dried acai fruit pulp and skin powder, as measured by the power’s oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Schauss found that the OptiAcai product had a 1026.9 ORAC score, compared to an ORAC score of 155 for some of the other commercially available Acai samples. According to Strauss, the ability of acai berries to halt the formation of damaging free radicals could have profound implications for treatment of a wide range of diseases. Findings also indicated that small amounts of Acai in foods or beverages could provide significant antioxidant protection.

Antioxidant capacity and other bioactivities
of the freeze-dried Amazonian palm berry,
Euterpe oleraceae mart.
Jrml. of Agric. and Food Chem., Nov. 2006

Phytochemical and nutrient composition of
the freeze-dried amazonian palm berry,
Euterpe oleraceae mart.
Jrnl. of Agric. and Food Chem., Nov. 2006

Acai's Anti-inflammatory Properties
Results from one of the 2006 studies referenced above suggest that Acai has the potential to inhibit COX1and COX 2 enzymes which means that Acai may contain important inflammatory properties.

Antioxidant capacity and other bioactivities
of the freeze-dried Amazonian palm berry,
Euterpe oleraceae mart.
Jrnl. of Agric. and Food Chem., Nov. 2006

Acai as a Vasodilator
This study suggests that the polyphenols (antioxidants) in the acai berry have the ability to act as vasodilators which means that they can dilate blood vessels and possibly benefit medical conditions where blood vessel dilation is needed. These studies were performed on rats and more research on humans will be required to confirm these findings.

Endothelium-dependent vasodilator effect
of Euterpe oleracea Mart. (Açaí) extracts in
mesenteric vascular bed of the rat
Vascular Pharm., Feb. 2007

Leukemia
A 2006 study at the University of Florida concluded that antioxidants found in acai berries were shown to help kill leukemia cancer cells. Extracts from the fruit destroyed up to 86 percent of the leukemia cells tested. According to Stephen Talcott, an assistant professor with the University Food and Agricultural Science Department, “This study was an important step toward learning what people may gain from using beverages, dietary supplements or other products made with berries.” He emphasized that acai berries are some of the richest in antioxidants available. Although this was only a culture model, the researchers were encouraged by the findings. According to Talcott, “Compounds that show good activity against cancer cells in a model system are most likely to have beneficial effects in our body.”

Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) polyphenolics
in their glycoside and aglycone forms induce
apoptosis of HL-60 leukemia cells.
Jrnl. of Agric. and Food Chem, Feb. 2006

The results from these preliminary studies are promising, but far from conclusive. With such exceptional nutrient density and powerful antioxidant strength, Acai is sure to be a focus of intense research and product development for years to come.

From Acai Benefits and Research back to Home

The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute or advice from your physician or health care provider. You should not use information from this web site for the treatment of any health problem. As with any herbal or dietary supplement, talk to a heath care professional before making Acai a part of your regular diet.

FEATURED ARTICLE

Brazilian berry destroys
cancer cells in lab,
UF study shows
Univ. of Fl. News Jan 2006

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