The acai berry is one of the most popular and controversial health supplements in the world right now. It has been featured on health segments of news programs and popular talk shows. The acai berry industry has also been under fire for deceptive advertising practices of some companies. I want to spend a few minutes talking about what is fact and what is fantasy.
Here are the basic facts about the acai berry. It grows on the acai palm tree, primarily in South American rain forests and flood plains. It is harvested twice a year and has been a staple food locally for a long time. It has a lot of antioxidants – more than blueberries and pomegranates. It also has dietary fiber, omega fatty acids, and even some protein. The problem is that this berry spoils very quickly if not processed so it wasn’t known around the world until recently.
You can now find acai berry supplements almost everywhere. They are featured on news programs and talk shows. There are internet advertisements on almost every website. There is even a network marketing company that distributes acai berry supplements.
There are a lot of people that will tell you they feel better when taking acai berry supplements because of the antioxidants and other beneficial properties. You can even get supplements from some companies that add metabolism boosters like green tea or appetite suppressants like hoodia. There are also a lot of people that think these are great.
The way some companies market acai berry supplements has caused some controversy. One common, deceitful practice is to use celebrity pictures to make it look like they endorse a specific product which they don’t. Another common problem is that some marketers create fake blogs that chronical fictitious weight loss and try to get people to sign up for a free trial of supplements. In both cases, the free trials being offered turn into monthly shipments that are not free. While this isn’t a big problem if you know about it so you can cancel if you don’t want it, many dishonest companies don’t do much to make sure you know about the part after the free trial.
I think acai berries are very healthy and so do a lot of other people. They may help you lose weight and be more energetic. However, it is important to know that there isn’t any conclusive scientific evidence to prove it. There are studies that indicate antioxidants have beneficial effects. There are studies that show that acai berries have more antioxidants than other fruits. Some studies even show that acai berry antioxdants are absorbed by people when they eat them. However, there is no proof that acai berries specifically treat any disease or condition which is why they are only available as a health supplement and not a medication. They will probably help you, but there is no guarantee.
