Review of Acai Berries anti-aging and weight loss medical claims

Have you heard about the acai berry? Some companies and physicians have told us that this little berry is one of the most anti aging nutritious and powerful foods in the world! It is described as recommended by Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Mehmet Oz for weight loss and anti-aging super-food. Its anti-aging magic is described as:

• Containing a remarkable concentration of antioxidants, ten (10) times more antioxidants than in red grapes that help combat premature aging.
• Having a synergy of healthy fats, dietary fiber and phytosterols to help promote cardiovascular and digestive health.
• An almost perfect essential amino acid complex in conjunction with valuable trace minerals, vital to proper muscle contraction and regeneration.

So what is this remarkable acai berry?

The acai palm is a species of palm tree in the genus Euterpe cultivated for their fruit and superior hearts of palm. Global demand for the fruit has expanded rapidly in recent years, and acai is now cultivated for that purpose primarily.

Can acai berries boost weight loss?

Companies sell acai berry products as dietary supplement in different forms: tablets, juice, instant drink powders and whole fruit.
Marketers of these acai products make medical claims that these products: increase energy levels, improve sexual performance, improve digestion and detoxification, improve skin appearance, improve heart health, and reduction of cholesterol levels.
For now, plenty of anti aging research supports eating a diet rich in antioxidants. There’s no doubt that berries and other fruits are a key part of any healthy diet promoting weight loss. The jury’s still out on whether there is something special about acai’s ability to shed excess weight.
 

Are there known health benefits of acai berries?

Some studies claims that acai fruit pulp has a very high antioxidant capacity with even more antioxidant content than cranberry, raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, or blueberry. Studies are ongoing, though, and the jury is still out. Quackwatch the american non-profit organization for combating health-related frauds, myths, fads, fallacies, and misconduct, noted that "açai juice has only middling levels of antioxidants—less than that of Concord grape, blueberry, and black cherry juices, but more than cranberry, orange, and apple juices."
Furthermore, the extent to which antioxidants by themselves promote health is a matter of some debate. No credible evidence suggests antioxidants promote weight loss.  According to the Washington, D.C. based Center for Science in Public Interest (CSPI) (http://www.cspinet.org/new/200903231.html ) thousands of consumers have had trouble stopping recurrent charges on their credit cards when they cancel free trials of acai-based products.
 

Why are acai berries used in beauty products?

Some cosmetics and beauty products contain acai oil in the ingredient list. That’s because acai oil is full of antioxidants.
Studies show that acai oil may be a safe alternative to other tropical oils used in beauty products such as facial and body creams, anti-aging skin therapies, shampoos and conditioners, and other products. When acai oil is processed and stored long-term, the antioxidant levels remain high.
 

Health Canada publish warning against using unauthorized acai berry products

Health Canada is warning Canadians citizens not to use certain acai berry products after shipments stopped at the border were found to contain an undeclared drug called sildenafil.
The prescription drug is used to treat erectile dysfunction, but could cause serious side-effects in some people and should only be used under the supervision of a doctor.
The Acai berry products, advertised for anti-aging and weight loss, aren't authorized for sale in Canada but may have been brought into the country by travelers or bought on the Internet.
The product names are Anti-Aging Acai Berry, Guarana Blast, Brazillian Pure, Anti-aging Vital Rez V, Weight Loss VitalAcai, Dietary Supplement Acai Power Blast and Muscle Mass.
Images of some of the products can be seen on Health Canada's website.
 

What Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Oz say about acay berry?

On August 19, 2009, Harpo, Inc., producers of  The Oprah Winfrey Show  and  The Dr. Oz Show , along with Dr. Mehmet Oz, filed a trademark infringement complaint against 40 Internet marketers of dietary supplements, including acai berry products among others. Neither Ms. Winfrey nor Dr. Oz has ever sponsored or endorsed any acai berry, resveratrol, colon cleanse or dietary supplement product.
 
Harpo, Inc. has filed this lawsuit to let consumers know that these internet marketers are willfully using the names of well-known figures to deceive the public. 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.

"The companies that are using my name to hawk these products are duping the public. I do not endorse any of these products. By falsely presenting products as ‘scientifically proven’ and endorsed by well-known figures, these companies do a gross disservice to the public health and could even pose a danger to those who believe their false and unproven claims. I am taking this step in the interest of public safety. I feel compelled to stand up against these companies and their deceitful practices." -Dr. Mehmet Oz

Related posts
Acai Berries: Anti aging superfood or health risk?

Bacche Acai: un super alimento o un rischio per la salute?