For the past decade the acai berry has been hailed as a superfood and repeatedly linked with weight loss claims. But what is the truth behind the berry, and is it as beneficial for us as we are led to believe?
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Produced as a dietary supplement and also used in beauty products it is thought that it can help to enhance a youthful appearance and is contained in many moisturisers and may be in your beauty products of choice that you decide to use to help maintain you appearance after a recently visit to a Vampire Facial Cardiff company such as https://cathedralfacialaesthetics.co.uk/non-surgical-facelift/vampire-facial-prp/ This super fruit has sold millions of products worldwide, but do its claims and status as a superfood reflect reality?
Slightly larger than a blueberry, the acai is deep purple in colour and grows on palm trees native to Brazil, Trinidad and other northern South American countries.
The hype around the acai has caused this food to soar in popularity, and its links to dieting and weight loss have boosted this simple berry from little known fruit to superstar status in recent years. While the acai has been used by South American natives for centuries, it only appeared as a health food phenomenon as recently as 2004.
Demand for Acai
Companies in the health food business were overwhelmed with demand for acai supplements, and new companies rapidly sprung up selling acai weight loss pills over the internet. Acai supplements were the talk of the town as this ‘new’ discovery claimed to have amazing health benefits, particularly in weight loss. The acai dietary supplement business boomed as everyone wanted to try out the new superfood that would fight disease and help them lose weight. But is it just a scam?.
No Scientific Proof
Currently there are no scientific studies that prove consumption of acai produces any health benefits, unlike tried and tested iron supplements for example. The FDA has not evaluated any acai products and their effectiveness is doubtful. To date, no scientific evidence has proved that consuming acai promotes weight loss or affects body weight in any way.
As of 2011, experts concluded that the unexpected and extraordinary rise in the berry’s popularity is more a phenomenon of online marketing than it is of scientific substance.
However, as a fruit, it contains much of the same antioxidant properties as other berries which may have therapeutic and preventative roles in several diseases including heart disease and diabetes. So while it may not exactly be a miracle food, consuming acai can contribute to a healthy and balanced diet.
