INTRODUCTION
The acai berry is the fruit of the acai palm (Euterpe oleracea), native in Brazil. Acai frozen pulps were found to have high antioxidant activities, [7] and so it is generally described as a health food. The berry is purple in color. And Açaí fruit is a good source of vitamin C and good source of natural antioxidants particularly, anthocyanins and carotenoids. [3] Acai fruit has a high percentage of lipids, and oleic acid is the key fatty acid. It also has descent amounts of dietary fiber and protein, and a fractional amount of iron, polyphenols, amino acid and sterols. [10, 11, 13]
Consumption of an acai juice showed an increase in serum antioxidant, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. We’ll discuss this topic in detail in the section of clinical reports. In a study, Acai showed a strong inhibition of the reactive oxygen species formation in polymorphonuclear cells, indicating the anti-inflammatory properties of Acai. [5] However, the antioxidant capacities of Açaí samples are excellent against peroxyl radicals, good against peroxynitrite but poor against hydroxyl radicals, compared with common European fruit and vegetable juices. [14] But, some other popular health foods such as pomegranate juice, red wine, Concord grape juice, blueberry juice, black cherry juice are also good sources of antioxidants. [15]
A study was performed as an acute four-way crossover clinical trial with acai pulp and clarified acai juice compared to applesauce and a non-antioxidant beverage as controls. Healthy volunteers (12) were dosed at 7 mL/kg of body weight after a washout phase and overnight fast, and plasma was repeatedly sampled over 12 h and urine over 24 h after consumption. The study showed that plasma antioxidant capacity was significantly increased by the acai pulp and applesauce. Individual increases in plasma antioxidant capacity of up to 2.3- and 3-fold for acai juice and pulp, respectively were observed. [22]
Potential Health Benefits
Cancer
In earlier cell/animal studies, Acai supplements were shown to have effects on HL-60 human leukemia cells human colon adenocarcinoma cells, colon tumors, bladder carcinogenesis and so on. [9, 12, 18, 19] in the last 3-4 years, a few more studies illustrated acai supplement’s effects on different cancer cells. [2018-1 to 2018-4] However, no clinical study has been conducted for evaluating its beneficial effects on subjects suffered from cancers.
Hypertension and Vascular Functions
In a rat study of 2007, it was found that Acai stone extract had vasodilator activities, probably via a release of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor. [8] Later, there is a report that seeds of Acai are rich in polyphenols with antihypertensive and antioxidant properties. A study shows that Acai seed extract substantially reduced renal injury probably through its antihypertensive and antioxidant effects. [2018-5]
In a study, 23 healthy overweighed male volunteers consumed either an açai-based smoothie or a macronutrient-matched control smoothie together with a high-fat breakfast meal challenge. Açai consumption was found to associated with improvements in vascular function, which may lower the risk of a cardiovascular event. [18]
Overweight
In an uncontrolled pilot study (reported in 2011), consumption of açai fruit pulp reduced levels of selected markers of metabolic disease risk in overweight adults. The study was an open label pilot study conducted with 10 overweight adults (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² and ≤ 30 kg/m²) who took 100 g açai pulp twice daily for 1 month. [17] Acai juice or supplements may have benefits on the subjects in study, but it is not sure how it helps weight loss. In 2016, there is a report of 23 heathy overweight men that açai consumption was associated with improvements in vascular function, which may lower the risk of a cardiovascular event.
In a study, forty women, were divided in 25 eutrophic and 15 with overweight. They took 200 g of acai pulp during 4 weeks. Anthropometric measurements, body composition, inflammatory markers, biochemical data, dietary intake and dietary antioxidants capacity were evaluated before and after the intervention. It was found that the intake of 200g acai pulp, modulated the EGF and PAI-1 expression, possibly by modulation of acai on the parameters of body composition, dietary, clinical, biochemical and inflammatory, led to a redistribution and resizing of body fat of the trunk area, and presumably increased visceral fat. [21]
Diabetes, Hight Cholesterol, Lipid Profiles
The markers in the 2011 study mentioned in the section of overweight [17] are fasting plasma glucose insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides. At the end of the study, there were reductions in fasting glucose and insulin levels, a reduction in total cholesterol as well as reductions in LDL-cholesterol and the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL- cholesterol. Thus, intake of acai fruit pulp may benefit people at risk of high cholesterol and diabetes.
In a recent study, reported in 2018, a study of 40 healthy women aged 21-24 consumed 200 g of acai pulp/day for 4 weeks. Researchers found: Açai pulp consumption did not alter anthropometric parameters, systemic arterial pressure, glucose, insulin and total, LDL and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and apolipoprotein (apo) B, but it increased the concentration of apo A-I. Apo A-I is a protein that has a specific role in the metabolism of lipids and is the main protein component in HDL, the "good cholesterol"). HDL removes excess cholesterol from cells and takes it to the liver for recycling or disposal. [2018-06]
In a study, seven junior hurdlers (17.5±1.2 years) taking part in a pre-season conditioning camp were supplemented once a day, for six weeks, with 100 ml of the juice blend. At the start and the end of the camp the athletes performed a 300-m sprint running test on an outdoor track. Blood samples were taken before and immediately after the test and after 1 h of recovery. Six weeks' consumption of acai berry-based juice blend had no effect on
sprint performance, but it led to a marked increase in the total antioxidant capacity of plasma, attenuation of the exercise-induced muscle damage, and a substantial improvement of serum lipid profile. [20]
Performance
An açai beverage was developed as an ergogenic aid for athletes and contained 27.6 mg of anthocyanins per dose. Fourteen athletes performed 3 exercise tests: a ramp-incremental maximal exercise test and 2 maximal exercise bouts performed in 2 conditions (açai beverage and without açai beverage (control)) at 90 maximal oxygen uptakes. Blood was collected at baseline and after maximal exercise in both conditions to determine biomarkers. It was found that açai beverage increased time to exhaustion during short-term high-intensity exercise. Açai beverage also reduced perceived exertion and enhanced cardiorespiratory responses. The açai beverage may be a useful and practical ergogenic aid to enhance performance during high-intensity training. [19]
Acai berry cleanse, Acai detox?
It is not sure if Acai has detox functions.
ACAI BERRY SIDE EFFECTS
Acai berry side effects Though small websites claim there are no major acai berry side effects reported in the medical literature. Acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) juice has actually been reported to be a transmission route for Chagas' disease many years ago. [1] Just in 2006, 178 cases of acute Chagas disease were reported in Brazil; 11 cases occurred in Barcarena and were confirmed by visualization of parasites on blood smears. [2]
Reference
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[22] J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Sep 10;56(17):7796-802 acai benefits review, acai berry juice benefit and side effects - May 26, 2018
2018-1 BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018 Apr 2;18(1):116.
2018-2 J Pharm Pharmacol. 2017 Jun;69(6):714-721.
2018-3 J Photochem Photobiol B. 2017 Jan;166:301-310.
2018-4 Gut Liver. 2017 Mar 15;11(2):243-252.
2018-5 J Med Food. 2017 Oct;20(10):1002-1010
2018-6 Clin Nutr. 2018 Apr;37(2):618-623.