Acai Berries: Feel Like Wasting Your Time (And Money)?

An Internet search for acai berries is like browsing a list of spam emails. A majority of these so-called 'balanced reviews' that weigh the 'pros and cons' of acai berries are thinly veiled marketing ploys that involve getting you to give up your credit card details for a free trial of acai berry supplements which you'll find extremely hard to cancel later. Against all of these expert opinions, you may think, what makes my diatribe any different? Well, I work as a nutrition counselor, advising people on wholesome food and fitness. That's my 9 to 5. I'm also a loving mother of two kids, whom I try to teach to think logically about nutrition, and I've never advocated a single fad diet. I am also not trying to sell you anything, and this blog post will not lead to some place where you can purchase some dubious supplements like acai berry or any other product.

Have you noticed the manipulation that goes into these marketing ploys? I just recently read in one of these sales pitches that, "A 'quality' bottle of 100% acai costs 40 to 50 dollars. Steer clear of products that come cheap!" Not only have they duped you into buying something that supposedly promises jaw-dropping weight loss, better looks, an increased sex drive, more energy and freedom from cancer, they've also managed to convince you to part with more cash for what is essentially tequila flavoring.

Antioxidants?

First of all, acai berries are touted for their 'massive' amounts of antioxidants, called polyphenols. In a controlled environment study, acai berries scored lower on the antioxidant potency and polyphenol content scale than mangoes, grapes and strawberries [1].

Weight Loss?

There isn't any scientific study that acai promotes weight loss, period. Wikipedia contains this blurb: "According to the Washington, D.C. based Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) thousands of consumers have had trouble stopping recurrent charges on their credit cards when they cancel free trials of açai-based products." [2] Not to mention that the rising popularity of acai berries in America could be depleting Brazilians of a berry that has been a dietary staple, as featured in Bloomberg News in May 2009.

But Oprah Likes It…Right?

Oprah has publicly disclaimed any connection with acai berry products. The article states, "Neither Ms. Winfrey nor Dr. Oz has ever sponsored or endorsed any acai, resveratrol or dietary supplement product and cannot vouch for their safety or effectiveness. It is our intention to put an end to these companies’ false claims and increasingly deceptive practices." You can read about it here: http://www.oprah.com/health/The-Truth-About-Oprah-Dr-Oz-Acai-Resveratrol-and-Colon-Cleanse

So...acai berries join the list of diets that simply do not work!

Instead...Kill The Diet & Eat Your Way To A Healthy Weight!

[1] Kuskoski EM, Asuero AG, Morales MT, Fett R (2006). "Wild fruits and pulps of frozen fruits: antioxidant activity, polyphenols and anthocyanins". Cienc Rural 36 (4 (July/Aug)).

[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%C3%A7a%C3%AD_Palm