Do Acai Berries Offer Health Benefits?

Healthier living seems to be on the mind of most people these days after an obesity epidemic stretching back almost 50 years in the U.S.  With the increasing prevalence of obesity, heart disease and diabetes, more people are trying to find natural supplements to support better health. 

Acai berries might just be one of those supplements, and have received considerable attention in recent years.  You can find drinks and supplements made from acai berries in every neighborhood health store and supermarket. Do acai berries really offer you better health, though?

Fad Food or Miracle Cure?

Acai berries hail from Central and South America, and are relatives of the cranberry and blueberry – both "superfoods," according to modern nutrition.  Acai berries contain a lot of flavonoids, as well as anthocyanins, both of which are powerful antioxidants that can help prevent damage in your body from free radicals.

Weight Loss Aid

In addition, acai berries seem to have some impact on weight loss, though there has been no real scientific study results to support these claims.  Some consumers have reported good results, while others have not noticed any significant difference. 

Of course, you will also find these berries in cosmetic products.  This is because their antioxidant content has been shown to be beneficial for preventing skin damage, and even helps to reverse some of the signs of aging.  So there may be some truth in those claims, after all.

Cost Saving Tip

Whether or not acai berries deserve their reputation as wonder foods remains to be seen by the medical and scientific communities.  Although they offer some significant health benefits, many of the same levels of vitamins and antioxidants can be found in similar foods, such as blueberries and cranberries, which do not carry the high cost of acai berries.