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Does the Acai Berry Speed Up Metabolism?

The acai berry is a type of fruit grown in Brazil. Its purple skin is rich in antioxidants, which combat free radical oxidation (i.e., aging). You can consume the berry either in pill form or as a juice. Due to its rise in popularity, much hype around this "wonder berry" exists needs to be debunked.

  1. Metabolism

    • The acai berry is associated with boosting metabolism because of its properties. Fruit contains simple sugars, which the body can easily burn and convert into energy. The fiber content of berries also helps the body stay satiated longer. This combination of quick sugar for fuel coupled with slow-burning fiber is a winning combination for your body's metabolic rate. As explained by certified nutrition counselor Leanne Ely in a Diet.com article, berries are a great way to boost metabolism by getting one's fiber intake with few calories.The acai berry is not unique for its ability to jump-start the body's metabolism. Most other fruits contain simple sugars and fiber and can do this as well.

    Cutting Through Commercialism

    • While companies would like the consumer to believe this wonder berry somehow makes you shed pounds, benefits of the acai berry are no different from many other fruits. For example, yes, the acai berry contains important polyphenols that can help curtail the free radicals produced by your body when it metabolizes. As one acai pill company claims, the best components of the acai berry are anthocyanins, polphenols, flavanoids, and proanthocyanids. Other fruits, however, also contain these chemicals---blackberries, blueberries, cherries, and even grapes are such fruits.

    Acai Berry Pill Considerations

    • Paying a premium for this berry in a pill form may not be the most cost effective. All claims made by such companies tout the health benefits mentioned above, health benefits that you can find in other fruits for a fraction of the cost. Eating a pint of blueberries for a dollar will have far more benefits than taking a $3 acai berry pill. A pint of fresh fruit has a higher water, vitamin, and fiber content, all of which are necessary to boost metabolism in comparison to a small pill. A Chicago Tribune article explains the high costs of juices and pills (which range from $30 to $50 per bottle) are due to processing costs. These costs can be avoided by consuming other fruits.

    Acai Berry Weight Loss

    • Substituting acai juice for soda will cause weight loss. Eating fresh fruit in lieu of processed fast food will also cause weight loss. The acai berry is correlated with weight loss because it is a healthier alternative to many foods like French fries and potato chips. The water content of fruit is another reason fruit can help you shed pounds---when the body is hydrated, hunger pangs can vanish. The US Public Health Commission Corps confirms that dehydration can be mistaken for hunger. According to the article, watermelon, citrus and lettuce are all over 90 percent water--consumption of these foods can quench the thirst while providing essential nutrients. Thus, many weight loss proclamations by companies that make acai berry juice or pills are just touting the health benefits of all fruits.

    Better Alternatives

    • Exercise is one alternative that jump-starts the metabolism by burning calories. No magic bullet exists for weight loss, and acai berry diet supplements are no exception. Substituting fresh fruits and vegetables in lieu of refined sugars is a positive start. By making enough healthy diet choices, your metabolism can regulate itself without the assistance of an expensive pill.

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