The Truths of the Acai Berry

It seems to happen in cycles: a little-known fruit, root or berry, grown high in the hilltops of an exotic country appears on the market with claims that it fights everything from heart disease to cancer. Soon it is touted as a miracle elixir that will make you lose weight and restore your lost youth. This is the kind of hype that has accompanied the açaí berry, a small, purple fruit found in the Brazilian rain forest. The number of online ads touting its detoxification and anti-aging properties can be overwhelming and it's often hard to filter out truth from fiction.

Origins

• The açaí berry is purple in color and grows high up in açaí palms found in the jungles of South America. It is often described as grape-like and was relatively unknown in the United States until 2001 when it was introduced by two Americans who had come across it in Brazil. These entrepreneurs turned it into a successful product -- an energy drink consisting of mashed up açaí mixed with guarana syrup.

Possible Benefits

• According to the Mayo Clinic, the açaí berry may provide fiber, beneficial fats and antioxidants. But take note, these are also the properties of many berries and fruits grown locally that you can buy at your supermarket for far less money. The Mayo Clinic points out that there are many fruits that provide antioxidants as well as other important nutrients not contained in the açaí berry. A balanced diet with a variety of fuits and vegetables is needed to maintain optimal health.

Hype and Claims

• Many have claimed that açaí berries are a superfood that can help with a wide range of health problems. These include erectile dysfunction, weight loss, cancer and arthritis. In addition, if you do not suffer from any ill health, the claims extend to detoxifying your body and an overall improvement in your health in general. However, as noted by the Mayo Clinic, there has not been much research done on the açaí berry and none of these claims have been scientifically proven. They remain, at best, claims by people who are trying to sell their açaí products. As is the case with many wonder products, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Products

• Açaí can be eaten raw but it is available in a variety of other forms including juice, smoothies, jelly, ice cream, energy drinks and tablet form. "The New York Times" noted that in 2004 there were four new food and beverage products that listed açaí as an ingredient. By 2008, 53 new products made with açaí berry were introduced to the American market and research showed that year there was more than $106 million dollars in sales of açaí-related products. In 2010 the Federal Trade Commission saw to it that several companies marketing açai berry products -- including colon cleansers and other supplements -- were prevented from continuing an alleged scam involving misleading advertising and questionable billing practices.