Not long ago when I wrote about the Acai berry scam ads I did not really think about the acai, (pronounced [asaˈi], /ah-sah-EE/), berry and its actual benefits. Now don’t get me wrong this is not my endorsement for diets, but rather information that anyone can use if they are looking to live a more healthy lifestyle.
First and foremost that acai berry comes from the palm tree that is native to Central and South America. It was first introduced to the United States in 2001 and is used for a multitude of items from hats to animal feed. Because of its popularity around the world it is now a principle export in countries like Brazil, and also a drain on the local food supply that rely on the acai berry as part of daily consumption. Combine these facts with the abundance of scam blogs and websites talking about acai it is hard to separate fact from fiction.
Acai Berry Facts:
- Acai berries are high in antioxidants which your body needs
- As of March 2009 they have not been proven as a sure fire dietary supplement
- Antioxidants are more potent in the berry form versus the bill or juice form
- Is also high in fat content
Scam Facts:
- Oprah and Dr. OZ DID NOT endorse the ads that you are starting to see on the Internet – Beware of the Oprah affect
- There are no medical studies to back the weight loss claims
- The pills sold on the Internet are twice as expensive as the same products purchased in the store
- “Trial offers” from most of the companies is just a way to charge you for unwanted items
Is the acai berry good for you? The short answer is yes, but the same can be said of the Pomegranate, Passion Fruit, Blueberry, Cranberry, Prune, Bannana, and Apricot. Is it a superfood? Yes and no. All of these fruits are high in antioxidants and when combined with a healthy diet and exercise will lead to a helthy lifestyle. It stops being a superfood when it is made into a pill or a bottle of juice.
Bottomline, don’t fall for the acai berry scams. If you want to reap the benefits of this berry it is avaialble at any supplement store. Give it a 30 day try and who knows what will happen in each individual case but overall it will get you into the mindset of living and thinking healthy.
