Acai berry Side effects and warnings. Acai berry is considered safe at recommended dosages. May cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting and allergic reaction for sensitive people.

Acai berry is the fruit of acai palm, a palm tree native to Central and South America. Acai berry has recently gained popularity for its powerful antioxidant health benefit that proponents of acai claimed it possess ten times more potent antioxidant than red grapes thus it is called “super fruit.”

Acai Plant Description

Acai palm tree is a tall tree that grows up to 25 m in height with 4 to 8 well developed stems from a single root system upon maturity. Acai has pinnate leaves that grows from a crown shaft. It produces both male and female flowers that are purplish brown in color. Acai is widely popular for its fruits which have a berry-like shape resembling a small grape, growing in bunches, green while young turning purplish as it ripens. Acai fruit has a single seed inside surrounded by fibrous sheath with oily coating. Acai berry is edible having a chocolaty taste.

Acai has long been used by South American natives as a food source and as herbal remedy to treat fever, menstrual cramps, body pains, diarrhea, skin rashes and ulcers. Other traditional health benefits include treatment for malaria, hepatitis, diabetes, jaundice, hemorrhages, liver problems and kidney disease.

In recent years, its popularity reached the United States and more acai health benefits were claimed by its proponents. Acai products started to be marketed from supplements to food products promising varieties of health benefits. However, much of these health benefits lacked the support of scientific studies.

Some of the claimed health benefits of acai include its strong antioxidant property, an effective body detoxification agent, treatment for osteoarthritis, promotes weight loss, immune system builder, as treatment for erectile dysfunction, an anticancer agent, as treatment for diabetes, slows down ageing, enhances the cardiovascular system, reduces inflammation, improves mental ability and induces good sleep.

Antioxidant Benefit from Acai Berry

In a study done in Life Sciences, Washington USA as published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Nov 2006, it was reported that acai berry has demonstrated high antioxidant capacity in vitro against superoxide and peroxyl scavenging. This antioxidant health benefit of acai has been confirmed using assay analysis reporting that the total superoxide scavenging reached 1614 units/g, by far the highest among all fruits and vegetables tested. Using assay analysis of the reactive oxygen species formed in a human cell, it was found that antioxidants from acai were able to penetrate the cells in functional form, absorbing oxygen at low doses. These results suggest the effective antioxidant capacity of acai berry against free radicals.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17061840

Immune System Boosting Benefits from Acai Berry

It has been reported that in some cases of infections, antibiotic regimens are not always effective and activating the innate immune system is an alternative means of treating infections and can also complement antibiotic therapies. In a study done in Montana University, USA, as reported in the Journal PLoS Pathog, 2012, the immune system boosting activity of acai berry has been investigated. In vitro tests showed that polysaccharides from acai berry impaired the replication of broad spectrum infection. It also provides protection against further infections by inhibiting bacterial dissimilation to other cells. These results suggest that acai berry possess immune system boosting health benefits against a broad spectrum of virulent intracellular pathogens.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22438809

Neuroprotective Benefits from Acai Berry

The Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging in Boston Mass. USA. conducted an investigation on the benefits of acai berry in modulating signals in hippocampal neurons. Oxidative stress and inflammation is associated to age related diseases of the brain that can compromise memory, learning, and movement. Results have shown that acai berry fractions resulted in significant decreases in nitrite production, accompanied by a reduction in inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in lipopolysaccharide stress induced oxidative stress and inflammation. These suggests that acai berry pulp fractions can offer protective health benefits on brain cells that have implications for improved cognitive and motor functions.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22224493

Metabolic Benefits of Acai Berry

Nutrition Journal of May 2011 reported the metabolic health benefits of acai berry for healthy overweight population. The study was done by Medicus Research in California USA where overweight subjects were tested for fasting glucose, cholesterol and insulin levels after being administered with 10 grams of acai berry pulp daily for 1 month. Results have shown that compared to baseline, there was an improvement in the metabolic parameters indicating a positive confirmation of the health benefits of acai berry for overweight population.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21569436

Acai Benefits against Mast Cell Activation Disease

Mast cell activation disease comprises disorders characterized by accumulation of genetically altered mast cells and/or abnormal release of these cells’ mediators, affecting functions in potentially every organ system. The antioxidant health benefit from acai berry made it a potential agent for the suppression of mast cell activation. A study done in Kobe Women’s University, Japan, that was reported in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, may 2011, investigated the effects of acai against antigen-induced degranulation in rats. Results have shown that acai is a potent inhibitor of IgE-mediated mast cell activation and further studies is recommended for human subjects.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21486000

Anti-inflammatory Benefits of Acai Berry

A study reported by NIS Labs, Oregon USA has evaluated the effects of oral acai berry on pain and range of motion that was published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, July 2011. The study involved 14 individuals with limited range of motion including those with osteoarthritis. The subjects were given Mona Vie Active, a fruit juice containing acai berry for 12 weeks. Results have shown that consumption of the juice resulted in significant pain reduction, improved range of motion measures, and improvement in activities in daily living. The study recommends further study on the significant association among increased antioxidant status, improved ROM, and pain reduction.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21470042

Athero-protective Health Benefits of Acai Juice

Atherosclerosis. June 2011 reported that açaí juice attenuates atherosclerosis in ApoE deficient mice through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This study was done in University of Arkansas, USA, involving mice with apolipoprotien E deficiency. Acai berry juice was given for 5 weeks and results have shown that there is significant reduction of lipid preoxidation and inflammatory cytokine production. This suggests the athero-protective health benefit from acai juice.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21411096

Protective Benefits of Acai against Emphysema

Food and Chemical Toxicology. April 2011, has reported that a study was done in the Departamento de Farmacologia e Psicobiologia in Brazil to investigate the protective effects of acai against emphysema. Cigarette smoke is the primary cause of emphysema and the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of acai may have potential benefit against cigarette smoke exposure. Acai was added to cigarette in a mice model where it is chronically exposed for 60 days. Results have shown that the presence of açai extract in cigarettes had a protective effect against emphysema in mice, probably by reducing oxidative and inflammatory reactions. These results raise the possibility that addition of açaí extract to normal cigarettes could reduce their harmful effects.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21147193

Acai may be considered safe for most people when used as recommended by health practitioner or product label.

There is no sufficient scientific studies that determine its side effects for pregnant and breast feeding mothers. Use of acai is discourage.

Acai may cause side effects such as nausea and vomiting.

Acai may also cause allergic reactions to sensitive people.

The intake of raw acai has been associated with Chagas Disease or American trypanosomiasis.

Where to buy Acai berry medicine

Acai may be bought in powder or as frozen acai pulp. Acai is also available in liquid extract, in capsules and tablets.

Acai is available in most drug stores and health stores. Acai can also be bought in online stores such ebay and amazon.