Cornelia Tjandra

Acai Berry: Myths Surrounding the Superfood of Today Despite being native to Brazil, today acai berries can easily be found all around the world. Commonly sold as a nutritional supplement, this “superfood” is a popular choice in juice bars, health food restaurants, and trendy cafés. Countless health claims have been made about these berries. Being a dietary staple in Brazil, especially in Brazilian tribes, acai is said to be a miracle cure for every ailment that there is. Reducing wrinkles, aiding weight loss, removing toxins, fighting cancer, and improving libido; those are some of the many claims about acai. But how do the facts stack up against those claims? Weight-loss aid This is one of the most popular claims on this superfood. However, there is currently insufficient scientific data to support this claim. It may be full of antioxidants and nutrients, but there is no magic food that will cause instant weight-loss; that includes acai berries. Your best bet to lose weight is a balanced diet and exercise. Eliminate toxin Another popular claim, acai berry is called the powerhouse for anti-aging with its antioxidants content. Anthocyanin found in acai is indeed excellent for health. However, we already have a great system for removing toxins, our liver functions amazingly for that. Also, studies have shown that these antioxidants degrade easily when exposed to prolonged storage or heat. Which is why, the usual pill, powder, and capsule forms of acai that are usually found in the market are likely to be ineffective in this area. Reduce heart-disease risk Berries, like all fruits are good for your health. Likewise, the acai is good for your health, especially with all of its antioxidants and nutrients. However, like other claims made about them, these berries are not your magical solution to a heart-disease risk free life. Studies involving thousands of people have been done and still, the results were inconclusive or even negative. So, eating this fruit may be good for you, but take the outrageous claim with a grain of salt.