Acai Berry Benefits for Health

The purple Amazon acai berry is highly promoted by acai products marketers as one of the “superfood” or miracle fruit with various properties, such as anti-aging, antibacterial, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, strengthens cardiovascular system, weight loss etc. There are manufacturers of various products, for example cosmetics and beauty include acai oil in the ingredient of their products as it is rich in antioxidants.

Being called the miracle fruit, acai berry is said to be able to reduce the risk of having cancer and helps in delay aging as it contains antioxidant properties. Although study has found out that extracts from açai pulp oil has anti-proliferative effects on HL-60 (Human promyelocytic leukemia cells), it is just an experimental leukemia and is done in vitro.

Acai berry is rich in essential fatty acids such as omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acid (linoleic acid and oleic acid) and is believed to be able to lower bad LDL cholesterol level and maintain the healthy HDL cholesterol levels. Since acai berry is also rich in dietary fiber and healthy monounsaturated fats, it is also promoted by marketers as a product which could help improving the healthiness of the cardio vascular system and digestive tract.

Acai berry is rich in carbohydrates and organic vegetable protein which is more easily digested than animal protein. Therefore, it is also said to be able to increase your energy levels. The beta-sitosterol, a type of plant sterols found in this fruit is said to be useful in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia and help controlling cholesterol.

There are lots of other benefits which claimed by acai products marketers. These claims might be true and might not be too as these are non-proven claims. Until the year of 2009, there are still no scientific studies to support these claims. However, although it might not be a “superfood” that is all-cured, there is no harm consuming it as it is still a good food, as good as other good food.

References:

• Wikipedia-Acai Palm
• WebMD: "Acai Berry and Acai Berry Juice-What are the Health Benefits?"
• Del Pozo-Insfran D, Percival SS, Talcott ST (Feb 2006). "Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) polyphenolics in their glycoside and aglycone forms induce apoptosis of HL-60 leukemia cells". J Agric Food Chem.

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This page was last modified on: December 09, 2011