Berry Beneficial
Mon 28 April 2008
Alison Chan, Bachelor of Arts
If you believe the hype, the acai (pronounced ah-sie-ee) berry can do everything from smoothing wrinkles to curing cancer.
Its popularity has skyrocketed over the last few years, being praised by talk show superstar Oprah and appearing on bottles of health drinks, skin care products and vitamin supplements throughout the western world. Its newfound fame means you don’t have to trek to its origin, in the depths of the Brazilian rainforest to find it.
In fact, just about any convenience store will do, with Coca-Cola’s Vitamin Water touting its qualities. For a fresher taste test, it can also be found at Sunshine Coast juice bars.
“We started getting it in about a year and a half ago… because of its nutritional benefits, and the taste,” manager of Raw Energy juice bar in Mooloolaba, Katie White said.
Found on the acai palm, the berry has long been a natural source of vitamins for natives Brazilians.
The small purple berries grow to about the size of a grape, and according to chiropractor and author of several articles about the health benefits of juices, Dr Douglas Anderson, it “contains 12 to 15 vitamins and minerals, (and) 15 to 20 amino acids with monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids”.
“Health claims for acai, especially from those who sell the product, include antibacterial properties, sexual enhancement, antioxidant capabilities and a host of other applications,” he said in an article for Dynamic Chiropractor.
Mrs White agrees that it can be beneficial.
She describes the taste as “strong”, and said their Jungle Juice, made of acai berries and an assortment of other fruits, such as banana and pineapple, has been extremely popular.
She explained they also sell it blended with apple and many customers buy it primarily for its health benefits.
“It’s very popular with triathletes,” she said.
“We have about 20 regulars who have it every couple of days.”
If you aren’t a juice fan, you don’t even have to taste it to reap its benefits.
A press release provided by Reuters reported that renowned esthetician, Karen Dunlap, developed an anti-aging facial using the berry.
“Dunlap discovered that topical application of the berry, compared with ingestion, magnifies its benefits,” the journal said.
“The acai berry fights off cellular mutation, reducing free radicals' abilities to cause wrinkles,” the article said, adding that the berry’s antioxidants protect connective tissues while repairing damaged proteins, and flavanoids act as astringents, flexing tissues, and preventing wrinkles and acne.
So could the acai berry really be that good?
A report published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition found the fruit had extraordinary levels of antioxidants.
Dr Andersen points out that no human studies have been published, and although “it’s only a matter of time before we see some”, the line between honest information and company promotion are blurring.
“It seems those who are getting rich from acai are in no hurry to have their claims tested,” he said.
References:
Anderson, D 2008, ‘Cure-All Juices, Part 1: Acai and Goji’, Dynamic Chiropractic, Vol. 26, Iss. 6: 10, viewed via Chiroweb, viewed 12 April 2008.
2008, ‘Aging; Breakthrough 'Acai Berry Anti-Aging Facial' Applies Benefits of Nature's Super-Food to the Skin’, Reuters, Febuary 4, viewed 12 April 2008.
Lichtenthäler, R, Rodrigues RB, Maia, JGS, Papagiannopoulos, M, Fabricius, H & Marx, F 2005, ‘Total oxidant scavenging capacities of Euterpe oleracea Mart. (Açaí) fruits’, International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, Vol. 56, Iss. 1: 53 – 64, viewed 10 April via Informaworld.
Image(s) designed by Alison Chan
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Submitted Comments
This is an interesting topic. I find it ironic that people are taking supplements, boosters and all sorts of miracle foods to counteract their diet of high fat, high sugar meals. I would be interested to see if there were any physiological benefits to the triathletes or whether it’s all psychological. Well researched though and it’s good to see both sides of the story.
Elizabeth