Acai Berry Diet

Background

Acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) is the berry of an Amazonian palm tree with a long history of traditional usage in Brazil.

After Dr. Perricone highlighted the berry as the number one antioxidant food on the Oprah show and Oprah herself mentioned that she has incorporated the berry into her diet, there has been an explosion in the popularity of acai berry based weight loss plans.

Some websites are promoting the acai berry diet as Oprah’s new diet plan however this is basically a marketing tool used to attract more attention to acai berry supplements and is not related to any particular diet plan.

Diet Basics

There isn’t a specific acai berry diet but rather dieters use acai berry in conjunction any other weight loss plan they prefer to follow. It is often paired with a colon cleansing product or with other nutritional ingredients that are said to enhance weight loss.

The acai berry is promoted primarily for its antioxidant effects, which exceed that of other foods that are high in antioxidants such as blueberries and red wine. Advocates of the acai berry diet claim that these antioxidants will enhance general well-being and vitality which will support weight loss.

Acai berries are also said to have many other benefits that include improving digestion, cleansing and detoxifying the body, boosting immunity, supporting cardiovascular health, increasing mental clarity, enhancing vision, reducing insomnia, and slowing down the aging process. Not all of these claims can be supported by scientific research and much of these possible benefits are speculations at this stage.

In regard to the effects of acai berry on weight loss; promoters of the diet say that the berry has a combination of essential fatty acids, amino acids and phytosterols that work in unison to improve metabolism, enhance digestion, and reduce appetite.

Exercise Recommendations

There are no specific exercise recommendations.

Costs and Expenses

Acai berry supplements are available as capsules, powder, puree or juice. The cost ranges from around $40-80 per month depending on the dosage taken.

Pros

• Scientific research does support some of the health claims made for acai berry.
• High antioxidants can reduce the risk of diseases commonly associated with aging such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.
• Antioxidants are beneficial for dieters who are physically active as they neutralize the free radicals that are produced during exercise.
• Many dieters have reported a reduction in appetite and greater energy levels.

Cons

• There are many reports of scams with websites selling inferior products and billing customers for ‘free trials’ of acai berry products.
• Claims made for weight loss effects of the berries are unsubstantiated.
• Does not encourage dieters to make lifestyle changes.
• Supports the idea of a quick fix approach to weight loss.
• Can be expensive.

Conclusions

The acai berry does have some important nutritional benefits, however by consuming a range of fresh fruit and vegetables and other foods that are high in antioxidants, it is possible to reproduce a similar enhancement of the dietary intake.

If dieters experience weight loss on the acai berry diet it will be due to the effects of simultaneously following a calorie restricted diet rather than due to any special effects of the acai berry. Acai berry supplements may support general health and well being while dieting, but cannot be relied on as the sole factor for successful weight loss.

If you decide to try acai berries it is recommended to find a high quality reputable source and to view it as an addition to your weight loss program rather than the main focus of the plan.

See Also: Acai Berry: Fruits of Paradise for more indepth information on Acai Berries.