Acai Capsules Side Effects

This article explores whether or not acai capsules are free of side effects and what they might be if there are any. To many health-conscious consumers and nutrition and medical professionals, acai capsules are so beneficial that they negate any side effects that might occur.

Introduction

• For a small fruit, the acai berry has garnered a lot of attention. About the size of a grape, acai berries grow in the Amazon rain forest of Brazil. Natives in that part of Brazil have been harvesting, processing and including acai in their diet for at least hundreds of years. Because the berry easily spoils, most North American consumers of acai get it in capsule form. As a natural supplement, many people believe that there are little to no side effects. Natural does not equal safe; many natural plants are poisonous or have severe effects like the plants that are processed into illicit drugs. Acai capsules, though, have many beneficial effects.

Benefits

• With so much attention focused on acai berries, relevant and useful information is often crowded out by thousands of positive reviews. Indeed, acai deserves its fame. Anecdotal evidence and research studies credit acai capsule supplements for promoting sleep, having cancer- and disease-fighting antioxidants, helping with weight loss, having anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties, and lowering blood pressure. Acai is also believed to aid digestion, provide some pain relief, help prevent heart disease and increase both energy and libido. There are no known medication interactions with acai capsules and many claims that they are free of side effects.

Misconceptions

• While it is not quite true that acai capsules have no side effects, they usually only emerge if too much acai is ingested and are usually very mild. Because acai does affect the body, albeit positively, that by definition is a side effect, which can be either negative or positive. If you take too many acai capsules, you will most likely experience loose stools, an acidic taste in your mouth and some anxiety and heart palpitations. The last two side effects are often incorrectly attributed to the acai, when they are actually caused by the guarana and caffeine added to many acai supplements, especially those used for weight loss. Acai capsules have no negative side effects for most people.

Considerations

• As with anything you put in your body, allergic reaction is possible with acai capsules. Allergic reactions really are not side effects because they occur when the immune system mistakenly reacts to the acai particles in the body as harmful. So allergic reactions -- hives; swelling, tingling and burning lips and tongue; vomiting, diarrhea, trouble breathing and even death -- are caused by the body's reaction to acai. However, because allergic reactions can be serious and fatal, it is important to seek medical attention right away if you experience any of them. Ironically, acai capsules actually appear to fight allergies in many people.

Conclusion

• For most people, though, acai capsules are a safe and nutritious part of a healthy lifestyle. Practically free of side effects, acai is often a healthier alternative to some prescription and over-the-counter medications (always follow your doctor's instructions with prescriptions), which have much higher side-effect profiles. Acai capsules provide many people with a health-boosting natural supplement.