The acai berry seems to be everywhere in nutrition blogs and recipes these days. The trendy little South American berry has received much attention in the media for its “superfood” benefits, due to its high content of phenolic compounds and antioxidants. Acai does offer much promise in boosting health, though it’s important to ground health claims with scientific evidence, especially when a food receives hype and becomes a fad like popular acai. However, an largely substantial amount of research does substantiate the benefits of acai, showing just how helpful it can be as a crucial part of a healthy diet. The acai certainly lives up to the hype it holds, and though it’s small, it packs a punch as a nutritional powerhouse. (Source)
Acai for Antioxidants
With its high antioxidant content, acai is becoming known for its preventative effects on different kinds of oxidative stress. One study analyzed the berry’s effects on amino acids crucial to Alzheimer’s disease. The study showed acai to protect against oxidation and inhibit aggregation of the amino acids, and it was concluded that acai’s antioxidative activity can have implications for neuroprotection in Alzheimer’s. (Source)
Acai for Liver Health
Acai also exhibits protective effects on the liver, as shown by a study that tested the berry’s effect on rats with hepatic injury. In the study, alcoholic rats were given acai powder, which was shown to reduce crucial serum levels of cytokines involved in liver damage, and overall, acai was found to have a protective effect on hepatic injury. (Source)
Acai for Kidney Health
Acai has also been shown to have benefits for kidney health. Renal failure is one of the most common problems that occurs in critically ill patients in hospitals, which prompted researchers to investigate the potential of acai in treating the problem. In the study, acai berry extract was given to rats with acute renal failure, and was shown to significantly improve kidney function and to alleviate renal oxidative stress markers. The results of the study indicate the potential of acai in preventing renal failure. (Source)
Acai for Metabolic Health
While acai has been shown to have multiple benefits due to its antioxidant content, it is lesser known for its potential in alleviating metabolic syndrome, a condition involving risk factors for cardiovascular disease and/or type-2 diabetes. One study investigated the effects of acai pulp supplementation on symptoms of metabolic syndrome in healthy overweight human patients. It was found that consumption of acai pulp reduced markers of metabolic syndrome, including reduction of LDL and post-prandial glucose levels. (Source)
Acai for Heart Health
Acai has been found to have cardioprotective effects, which may come as no surprise due to its antioxidant content. One study investigated the effects of acai extract supplementation on male rats with myocardial infarction. The extract treatment was shown to alleviate multiple symptoms of myocardial infarction, including exercise intolerance, cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis and dysfunction. (Source)
Acai for Cancer Prevention
More and more evidence shows the potential of acai in the prevention of cancer. One study found acai polyphenolic extract to have anti-inflammatory and preventative effects on colon cancer cells, showing its chemopreventative potential on colon cancer specifically. (Source) Another study analyzed the effects of acai bark, fruit and seed on colorectal and breast cancer adenocarcinoma cell lines. While the acai treatment didn’t have an effect on the specific colon cancer cell line that was tested, it did significantly impede the breast cancer cells, showing a notable antitumorigenic effect that could potentially be used in the treatment of breast cancer. (Source) Another study showed acai pulp to inhibit the growth of bladder cancer in mice, which was attributed to the high anti-oxidant content of acai. (Source)
NUTRITIONAL PROFILE
Acai berry, 100g
Calories: 70
Fat: 5g
Total Carbohydrate: 4g
Dietary Fiber: 2g
Sugars: 2g
Protein: 1g
Vitamin A: 15%
Calcium: 2g