There are numerous healthy berries that would be a great addition to your diet. The acai berry is one of the healthiest berries you will ever find. Acai is an indigenous berry commonly found in the rain forests of the Amazon. This antioxidant-rich fruit has been heralded for centuries as a healing, immune-stimulating, energy-boosting fruit. Research has shown that this antioxidant-rich berry may be able to fight the health problems associated with oxidative damage [1], not to mention many other health benefits.
Acai Berries: What Are the Benefits?
- Promotes Heart Health
- Stops Bad Cell Proliferation
- Aids Weight Loss
- Promotes Skin Health
- Helps Digestion
- Reduces Irritation
- Improves Cellular Health
- Immune System Booster
- Has Anti-Aging Effects
- Boosts Energy
- Encourages a Healthy Libido
- Improves Mental Function
1. Heart Health
Similar to red wine, research shows that acai berries are extremely high in anthocyanins, a form of plant antioxidant associated with the ability to lower cholesterol levels in the blood stream.[2, 3] They are also rich in plant sterols that provide cardio-protective benefits to our cells. It does this by preventing blood clots, improving overall blood circulation, and relaxing the blood vessels. [4, 5]
2. Stops Bad Cell Proliferation
Acai berries are powerhouses against bad cell growth. Multiple studies have found that the anthocyanins and polyphenols found in acai berries have strong antiproliferative properties – which means they stop bad cells from growing out of control. Studies have found up to 95% inhibition from acai.[6, 7, 8] It is thought that these phytochemicals can disrupt cell mutation at a molecular level, killing the affected cells before they multiply.
3. Aids in Weight Loss
Known by nutritionists as a super-food, acai may help us not only lose weight, but maintain a healthy weight. [9] One interesting study from the National Institutes of Aging found that pulp from the acai berry had the ability to reduce the negative effects of a high-fat diet in laboratory studies on flies.
4. Promotes Skin Health
Currently, many modern beauty products are carrying acai oil, again due to the oil’s high antioxidant content. What is more, acai oil is a great natural alternative to chemical based skin-care products that harm the skin in the long-run. Taken internally, the berries can also give your skin a healthier glow. In fact, Brazilians have been eating acai berries for centuries to treat skin conditions. [10]
5. Helps Digestion
Taking acai may also aid in keeping our digestive system clean and in optimal function. The berries have powerful detoxification capacities in the human body and are a well-known traditional source of dietary fiber. [11] Of course, there are many other high fiber foods that can do the same thing, including many other types of berries.
6. Reduces Irritation
7. Improved Cellular Health
On a general level, the anthocyanins found in acai play a role in our cellular protection system, helping to keep cells strong against the invasion of free radicals. Acai has the strongest activity of any fruit or vegetable tested to date against the peroxyl free radical and superoxides, which cause cell damage. [13] The antioxidants in acai enter human white blood cells and perform an “oxygen quenching function” at very low doses. That’s why acai is called a superfood!
8. Immune Booster
Acai is very high in Vitamin C and ellagic acid, an immune-system-boosting combination that has been shown to suppress the growth of cancer. One study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry found that polyphenolic compounds extracted from acai reduced cancer cell proliferation by 56-86%. It is thought that acai’s phytochemcials can stop the process of carcinogenesis on a molecular level, killing off tumorous cells before they multiply. Acai berries are not a cure for cancer; but hopefully more research will examine their benefits and potential role in the fight. [14]
9. Anti-Aging Effects
10. Energy Boost
Due its overall health benefits, taking acai extract can lead to an increased overall level of energy and stamina, and may aid to combat fatigue and exhaustion – especially after exercise. [16] In one study, drinking an acai beverage not only reduced the body’s metabolic stress from exercise, but it also reduced the exerciser’s perceived exertion, which is how much effort they felt they were expanding. It also increased the time before they felt exhausted. Whenever you need a boost, simply eat a handful of berries, and you will be ready to go in no time!
11. Better Sex
This famous red berry has also been linked to overall increased blood circulation in the human body, a phenomenon that may contribute to a boost in sex drive, especially for men. [17]
12. Improves Mental Function
Acai is high in anthocyanins and other neurologically active plant compounds (phytochemicals). Preliminary research studies show that acai may improve short and long-term memory and promote healthy brain aging.[18, 19] Scientists have studied how acai may protect against neurological diseases, including dementia.
Buy organically-certified Acai. Not only are they safer, but taste better too. If you can’t find acai berries, another good source of antioxidant fruits are goji berries.
Natural Anti-Aging Solutions
Video Length: 73 minutes
References (19)
- Chin, YW, et al. “Lignans and Other Constituents of the Fruits of Euterpe Oleracea (Açai) with Antioxidant and Cytoprotective Activities.” J Agric Food Chem. 2008;56(17),7759-64.
- de Rosso, VV, et al. “Determination of anthocyanins from Acerola ( DC.) and Açai ( Mart.) by HPLC–PDA–MS/MS.” J Food Composit Anal. 2008;21(4),291-9.
- de Souza, MO, et al. “The hypocholesterolemic activity of Açaí ( Mart.) is mediated by the enhanced expression of the ATP-binding cassette, subfamily G transporters 5 and 8 and low-density lipoprotein receptor genes in the rat.” Nutr Res. 2012;32(12),976-84.
- Feio, CA, et al. “Euterpe Oleracea (Açai) Modifies sterol metabolism and attenuates experimentally-induced atherosclerosis.” J Atheroscler Thromb. 2012;19(3);237–45.
- Rocha, APM, et al. “Endothelium-dependent vasodilator effect of Mart. (Açaí) extracts in mesenteric vascular bed of the rat.” Vascul Pharmacol. 2007;46(2),97-104.
- Hogan S, et al. “Antiproliferative and antioxidant properties of anthocyanin-rich extract from açai.” Food Chem. 2010;118(2),208-214.
- Pacheco-Palencia LA, et al. “Absorption and Biological Activity of Phytochemical-Rich Extracts from Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) Pulp and Oil in Vitro.” Food Chem. 2010;119(3), 1071-1078.
- Del Pozo-Insfran D, et al. “Acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) polyphenolics in their glycosidic and alycone forms induce apopotsis of HL-60 luekemia cells.” J Agric Food Chem. 2006;54(4),1222-1229.
- Sousa Pereira, Izabelle de, et al. “The consumption of acai pulp changes the concentrations of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in apparently healthy women.” Nutr Hosp (2015);32(2):931-45.
- Heinrich, M, et al. “Açai ( Mart.)—A phytochemical and pharmacological assessment of the species’ health claims.” Phytochem Lett. 2011;4(1),10-21.
- de Souza Lima, C et al. “Preparation and characterization of the nutritive value of flour made from Acai (Euterpe oleracea, Mart.) seeds.” Nat Prod J. 2014;4(3),224-28.
- de Moura, RS, et al. “Effects of Euterpe oleracea Mart. (AÇAÍ) extract in acute lung Inflammation induced by cigarette smoke in the mouse.” Phytomedicine. 2012;19(3-4),262-269.
- Schauss, Alexander G., et al. “Antioxidant capacity and other bioactivities of the freeze-dried Amazonian palm berry, Euterpe oleraceae Mart. (Acai).” J Agric Food Chem. 2006;54(22),8604-8610.
- Holderness J, et al. “Polysaccharides isolated from açaí fruit induce innate immune responses.” PLoSOne. 2011;6(2):e17301.
- Laslo, Mara, et al. “A botanical containing freeze dried açai pulp promotes healthy aging and reduces oxidative damage in sod1 knockdown flies.” Age. 2013; 35(4),1117-1132.
- Carvalho-Peixoto, J, et al. “Consumption of açai (Euterpe Oleracea Mart.) functional beverage reduces muscle stress and improves effort tolerance in elite athletes: a randomized controlled intervention study.” Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2015;40(7),725-33.
- Alqurashi, RM, et al. “Consumption of a flavonoid-rich açai meal is associated with acute improvements in vascular function and a reduction in total oxidative status in healthy overweight men.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2016;104(5),1227-35.
- Poulose, SM, Shukitt-Hale, B. “Functional role of walnuts and açaí fruits on brain health.” In: Patil, BS, et al. Tropical and Subtropical Fruits: Flavors, Color, and Health Benefits. Washington, DC: American Chemical Society (ACS), 2013:171-87.
- Carey, AN, et al. “Dietary supplementation with the polyphenol-rich açaí pulps (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) improves cognition in aged rats and attenuates inflammatory signaling in BV-2 microglial cells.” Nutr Neurosci. 2017;20(4),238-245.
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 
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