Problems with Acai Berry Research

Statements on many acai berry supplement websites claim findings "after extensive research." What, exactly, does this research support? How accurate are the studies? This article follows up on such claims and reports the findings.

Health Claims

• Supplement companies are well aware that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration prohibits them from making any significant health claims. For example, it is illegal for them to claim that acai berries cure cancer or any other serious illness. At best, supplement websites can proclaim that acai berries "may be the best food on the planet" or "might help the immune system." These companies must use hedge words such as "may" "might" or "possibly" rather than face a lawsuit.

  The University of Florida published a study stating that acai berry extracts might fight cancer, although the results were from a cell-culture model--no animals or humans were tested. In addition, the study involved fresh acai berries that were not processed; supplement and juice companies must freeze-dry, press and extract the juice in a lengthy process. Also, as explained in the book "Cancer Modeling," it is already well-known that eating fruit (not just acai berries) reduces the risk of cancer.

Product Comparisons

• Few companies directly compare their acai berry supplement with any improvement in health. Instead, they link health benefits to antioxidants found in acai berries.

  Take, for example, the headline on one site: "Acai berry fights acid reflux." The article is misleading because taking the pill form of a food is entirely different from consuming it whole. The article does not say "acai berry supplements," only "acai." (To read this and other articles, see Resources below.) Also, many other foods contain antioxidants. David Wolfe explains in his book, "Superfoods," that a serving of acai berries score 185 on the ORAC scale, which measures oxygen radical absorption capacity. Pomegranates scored 105. While acai berries might have more antioxidants than other fruits, eating two servings of pomegranates might be less expensive than consuming one serving of acai supplements, but the health benefits from antioxidants will be equal.

Actual Studies

• Rather than conducting studies using their specific product, supplement websites extrapolate data from institutions that have done research on antioxidants and then apply it to their acai berry supplements that contain antioxidants. Companies tend to lead the reader into believing a group is administered a specific juice or pill and results are monitored. Results are anecdotal at best. For example, an article on Acaiberrysite.com claims improved stamina resulting from its supplement because one athlete chooses to take it. The article continues to explain that balancing nutrients can improve stamina, but this really translates to maintaining healthy diet.

Media headlines

• Supplement websites often use phrases such as "as seen on CNN.com" or "as referenced in The Wall Street Journal." However, CNN and The Wall Street Journal are reporting on the trends of these businesses earning money, not endorsing them.

Conclusion

• Such acai berry research claims are misleading and unsubstantiated. While a diet rich in fruits and vegetables yields many positive health benefits, no study indicates that the acai berry offers outstanding health benefits not offered by other fruits.