Acai's Extra Benefits

According to the Mayo Clinic's Web site, the acai berry is "a grape-like fruit harvested from acai palm trees, which are native to the rainforests of South America." Widely lauded as a superfood, the berry contains antioxidants and a variety of health benefits, though some remain skeptical of its power.

Combats Aging

• Oprah is a major advocate of the acai berry, and her Web site states that the concentration of antioxidants in acai pulp, "help combat premature aging, with 10 times more antioxidants than red grapes and 10 to 30 times the anthocyanins of red wine."

Weight Loss

• Though many scams will have consumers believe that acai itself leads to dramatic weight loss, the berry really contains monounsaturated fats, fiber and phytosterols. When these come together, they promote healthier digestion. This may be the only way acai can help promote weight loss, and it would mean a combination of regular exercise and acai consumption.

Muscular Health

• As with weight loss, the muscular health claims of acai are linked to the traces of essential amino acids found in the berry, and not to its actual consumption. For example, Oprah's Dr. Perricone writes, "Oleic acid is important for a number of reasons. It helps omega-3 fish oils penetrate the cell membrane; together they help make cell membranes more supple." This means that if acai is ingested in conjunction with the proper amount of fish oil, it can aid in muscular contraction and regeneration.

Extra Tips

• Though acai does contain antioxidants, which promote skin health, and amino acids, scientific evidence does not show a causal link between weight loss and acai consumption. A 2009 New York Times article reported that, while antioxidants were absorbed by Harvard University study participants, the study's results, "did not demonstrate that consuming açaí pulp lead to any health outcomes, let alone weight loss." Be wary of companies using the berry as a buzzword or quick fix, rather than a dietary or health supplement.