10 Things You Should Know About Açaí Berries, Nature's "Purple Gold" (2024)

Let's start with how to pronounce it.

By Tehrene Firman
10 Things You Should Know About Açaí Berries, Nature's "Purple Gold" (1)

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One of the most delicious members of the superfood squad — a.k.a. the cool kids of the food pyramid — is a fruit you've probably seen all over your Instagram feed. Açaí (pronounced ah-sigh-EE) is best known for being the not-so-secret ingredient in picture-perfect smoothie bowls, but there's more to these berries than just their good looks.

Superfood Qualities of Açaí

What is açaí, anyway? Found on açaí palm trees in South American rainforests, açaí berries are a lot like grapes. The seed takes up about 80% of the berry, but the flesh and skin pack plenty of vitamins and other nutrients in the remaining 20%. Not to mention the berries are only about 70 calories a cup.

10 Things You Should Know About Açaí Berries, Nature's "Purple Gold" (2)

  1. Antioxidants: Like other berries, açaí are packed with antioxidants that can help build up your immune system and protect your cells against damage from free radicals.
  2. Fiber: Full of fiber, açaí berries not only help make your trips to the bathroom more regular, but also help keep you full and your blood sugar steady.
  3. Heart-Healthy Fats: It might seem like a diet rich in fish, nuts, and avocados is the only way to get enough omega-3 fatty acids, but açaí berries are also a great source. Eating lots of these heart-healthy fats can lower your risk of coronary heart disease and improve your cholesterol.
  4. Calcium: High in calcium, açaí berries will help keep your bones, heart, muscles, and nerves strong and healthy.

Health Claims of Açaí

Do these berries live up to their nickname "purple gold"? They are powerful, but don't depend on them to help fix your health ailments by themselves.

"Although lots of people eat these berries — amongst other foods — for their 'magical powers,' you're not going to find magic in one food," says Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, author of Read It Before You Eat It. "The magic comes from a diet that contains a variety of foods that work in concert with each other."

  1. Heart Disease: There's no proof with açaí berries specifically, but eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables overall can help prevent heart disease.
  2. Cancer: Produce-filled diets can also help lower the risk of most cancers, according to the American Cancer Society, but research hasn't been done on açaí specifically.
  3. Weight Loss: Munching on lots of fruit and vegetables — including açaí berries — as well as exercising regularly can help you lose weight.
  4. Arthritis: All berries contain anthocyanins that have been found to have an anti-inflammatory effect that can help ease the symptoms, says the Arthritis Foundation.
  5. High Cholesterol: Eating more fiber from fruit (e.g., açaí), vegetables, beans, and other sources can help lower cholesterol levels.
  6. Anti-Aging: It's still true: A healthy diet full of fruit, vegetables, protein, and healthy fats can help with everything from acne to aging.

Where to Find Açaí

Because açaí berries can spoil within a day, the best ways to buy them are frozen (like smoothie packs) or in powdered form. Try out some of the açaí-flavored treats below:

10 Things You Should Know About Açaí Berries, Nature's "Purple Gold" (6)

Terrasoul Superfoods Terrasoul Superfoods Freeze-Dried Acai Powder

10 Things You Should Know About Açaí Berries, Nature's "Purple Gold" (7)

Siggi's Siggi's Non-fat Acai and Mixed Berries Yogurt

10 Things You Should Know About Açaí Berries, Nature's "Purple Gold" (8)

Navitas Organics Navitas Organics Freeze-Dried Acai Powder

10 Things You Should Know About Açaí Berries, Nature's "Purple Gold" (9)

Great Value Great Value Fruit Smoothie Super Blast with Acai

10 Things You Should Know About Açaí Berries, Nature's "Purple Gold" (10)

Tehrene Firman

Web Editor

When she’s not keeping up with the latest health news, Tehrene is probably doing one of the following things: walking her fluffy little dog, Trixie, blogging about food and fitness at TehreneFirman.com, watching Law & Order: SVU, or getting her sweat on in Pilates or spinning. And if she’s not doing any of the aforementioned activities, she’s probably eating french fries.

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10 Things You Should Know About Açaí Berries, Nature's "Purple Gold" (2024)

FAQs

What does acai berry do for the body? ›

A preliminary study suggested that eating acai fruit pulp might reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels in people who are overweight. Laboratory studies have focused on acai's potential antioxidant properties, and a juice blend with acai as the main ingredient has been shown to have an antioxidant effect in people.

What you need to know about acai? ›

Acai berries are deep purple fruits that grow from acai palm trees. These trees are native to the rainforests of South America. Research indicates that acai berries may have antioxidant, hypolipidemic, and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties may help reduce oxidative stress.

What is the best time to take acai berry capsules? ›

Recommended Use

Adults, take 2 capsules, one time daily with a meal. WARNING: Consult your healthcare professional before using this product if you are pregnant, nursing, under the age of 18, are taking medication or have a medical condition; if adverse reactions occur, discontinue use.

What are acai nutrition facts? ›

According to the FDA, a 2-ounce serving of acai puree has:
  • 60 calories.
  • 3 grams of fiber.
  • 2 grams of protein.
  • 5 grams of fat.
  • 6 grams of carbohydrates.
  • 40 milligrams of calcium.
  • 1,000 international units (IU) of vitamin A.
  • 9.6 milligrams of vitamin C.
Jul 7, 2023

Is it okay to eat acai everyday? ›

The downside? Acai bowls are sugar bombs. Eating one every day might increase your blood sugar levels or result in weight gain. They're also not great if you're on a low carb diet like keto.

What are the pros and cons of acai? ›

Known for their vibrant color, creamy texture, and versatility, acai bowls are touted as an antioxidant-rich superfood. On the other hand, the dish can be high in calories and added sugar, and some claim it might do more harm than good when it comes to your health.

Is acai actually healthy? ›

Health benefits of acai berries

Thanks to its high levels of antioxidants and phytochemicals, acai berries are believed to offer many benefits. These include: Heart health, by improving cholesterol levels. Cognitive function, by fighting inflammation and oxidation in brain cells.

Can you eat acai berries raw? ›

In Brazil, Acai is often consumed in its raw form, but due to their quick degradation, this isn't the case outside of the country. Instead, they are harvested, pasteurized, and processed into Acai products, such as Acai berry powder, Acai berry juice, and frozen Acai berries, and then shipped globally.

Why is acai so expensive? ›

The cost of acai is attributed to several factors. Firstly, the berries are harvested in the Amazon rainforest, which can be a labor-intensive process. Additionally, the berries are highly perishable, requiring them to be processed (usually frozen or dried) soon after harvesting to preserve their nutrients and flavor.

Does acai berry have side effects? ›

Consuming acai berries could irritate the colon or intestinal tract, which may eventually lead to diarrhea. Acai berries often suppress appetite, which may be undesirable in growing kids and pregnant women. Acai berries may also amplify allergy-related symptoms.

Is acai good for your kidneys? ›

potential health benefits, including decreased inflammation, reduced symptoms of arthritis, and protection against certain cancers. berries have been linked to possibly helping support heart health. Açai berries are acceptable foods for chronic kidney disease (CKD), as well as for patients on dialysis.

Does acai help with sleep? ›

The protein, omega fatty acids, and amino acids found in acai berries can also improve sleep. These components are known for helping the brain produce dopamine and serotonin, two neurotransmitters that influence sleep.

What are 3 health benefits of acai? ›

Acai contains antioxidants which are thought to protect cells from damage. Acai berries are believed to have more antioxidant content than cranberry, raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, or blueberry. Chemicals in acai might also reduce swelling, lower blood sugar levels, and stimulate the immune system.

What are the interesting facts about acai berries? ›

Known to be a powerhouse of antioxidants, acai is known to reduce oxidative stress in the body, which is the number one reason for all sorts of chronic diseases including diabetes, heart ailments and even cancer. This fruit also protects the cells from any kind of damage.

How much acai per day? ›

While there are no USDA guidelines on how much Açaí one should consume in a day, at SAMBAZON we love how we feel when we eat at least one serving (sometimes two!) each day. It's a great way to get your daily servings of fruit.

Does acai help belly fat? ›

Many sellers of health foods and supplements claim that the acai (AH-sah-EE) berry will help you lose weight. Dieters beware: these claims are false. Ads promising weight loss have been spotted on popular social networking sites and search engines.

What does acai do for your stomach? ›

Fiber is an important part of digestion. Acai berries are understood to cleanse the body's digestive system in a powerful way to keep hazardous toxins from accumulating. They work as a natural cleanser for intestine and colon to fight constipation and other digestive complications.

What does acai do to the brain? ›

They Could Boost Brain Function. The many plant compounds in acai could also protect your brain from damage as you age ( 19 ). Several studies have shown this kind of protective effect in lab rats ( 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ).

What does acai berry do for your liver? ›

Phenolic compounds, especially those belonging to the anthocyanin class, may help manage NAFLD. Pirrozi et al. in 2020 conducted a review that stated that Acai berry, due to a high content of phenolic compounds, may help reduce fat accumulation in the liver and may potentially benefit NAFLD.

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