Even I’ve seen the ads for acai lately and sometimes I don’t even know what the latest movie craze is (okay, make that often but my friends fill me in). So what is Acai and can it help you lose weight and do all the miraculous things the ads indicate?
Acai (pronounced “ah-sa-ee”) is a “super fruit” – a category of fruits that are coming into major popularity because of their exotic names and high antioxidant content. Acai is a deep-purple colored berry that hangs from trees in the Brazilian rain forest that tastes like a mixture between an un-sweet berry and unsweetened chocolate. This little fruit has made its way into every product known to mankind and hit fame thanks to some major guerilla marketing.
So what about the claims on acai and acai-containing products? This fruit is loaded with antioxidants including anthocyanins (check my previous post on these awesome anti-inflammatory compounds). However, I have yet to see any research backing the miraculous weight loss claims that I see on the internet (this research may exist, but I haven’t seen it).
But, the acai pulp in the juice MonaVie and the juice itself has been show in clinical trials to be effective for preventing lipid peroxidation (think of the process of lipid peroxidation as your cells rusting the way metal does). The first study was done on the pulp and in the lab on cultured cells. The second was done in humans and showed that just 4 oz of MonaVie inhibited harmful free radicals, acted as an anti-inflammatory agent and supported the immune system. Not too shabby.
If you are looking for antioxidants, vary your diet and load up on a variety of colorful (the colors often indicate different types of antioxidants) fruits and vegetables. If you want to try acai, I recommend going to a natural food store and buying the frozen pulp that comes in a slab. Break some off and throw it in the blender with protein powder and milk or water. At least by doing this you know you are getting the pulp and nothing else – no added juices or fillers. Or, give MonaVie a shot or another juice that contains acai pulp or puree as the first ingredient.
The bottom line: Acai is indeed a nutrient-rich fruit that may help boost your immune system and prevent lipid peroxidation. But, it isn’t a miracle for weight loss.
Hi Marie,I’m new to Blogcatalog and looking over some of the nutrition blogs for useful insights. I like your style and I like this post.Is Monavie the acai product that is marketed like Amway, with a slightly evangelistic tone? My husband told me about a coworker who suddenly started wearing a suit after work and talking of owning a Cadillac soon because he was selling bottles of this super fruit juice. If it is, it certainly gave acai a sketchy rep for a lot of people. There is no one food that is that super to warrant that kind of marketing. What do you think?