Function

• The London Free Press says lab tests show that "acai extract is potentially a good antioxidant which could help reduce damage to blood vessels caused by free radicals as well as inflammation, two processes involved in the development of chronic disease." These touted qualities have led acai product manufactures to market the berry as a cure for cancer, weight loss, balding, erectile dysfunction and aging, along with claims of protection against future disease. Acai drink producer Mona Vie declares that the berry contributes "a powerful family of antioxidants that [assist] in neutralizing the harmful effects free radicals can have on your body."
  
  

Expert Insight

• Texas A & M University research scientists found that subjects who ingested the berry "showed significant increases in antioxidant activity in the blood after both the acai pulp and applesauce consumption," and that further tests would verify health benefits. However, Dr. Richard Beliveau reports that cranberry and pomegranate juice, along with red wine, produced similar or higher antioxidant amounts. Acai berries may work in the long run, but they're not an exceptional product. Fitness expert Jonny Bowden states, "The expensive acai berry is a triumph of marketing over science, that's the bottom line,"
  
  

Misconceptions

• Testimonials abound on the Internet about acai berry juices and their almost miraculous effects. However, these accounts are largely anecdotal, with the results not duplicated by laboratory work. In response to manufacturer claims, the Center for Science in the Public Interest released this statement: "There's no evidence whatsoever to suggest that acai pills will help shed pounds, flatten tummies, cleanse the colon, enhance sexual desire, or perform any of the other commonly advertised functions."
  
  

Warning

• What is notable about acai berry news is the emphasis on cost. Acai berries are serious business, with bottles of the juice costing around $40 a bottle. Many businesses selling the product depend on the recruitment of members to distribute and purchase products, or set up pricey subscription plans. The MonaVie line requires a standing order that is billed every month, with a daily dosage requirement necessary to see results. Free trials are often bogus, with "consumers...asked to provide a credit card to pay shipping and handling charges, but...almost immediately receiving $80 to $90 monthly charges" according to Saundra Young and Madison Park of CNN. It's necessary that people believe in the berry in order for the cash to keep rolling in to these companies, some of whom are presently being sued for fraud.
  
  

Potential

• In the future, the acai berry may prove to be a strong, proven player in alternative medicine. But, as of 2009, there's little research to show that the fruit will do more than a good bottle of 100% cranberry juice, or a couple of glasses of burgundy. Universities and independent research labs continue to look into the fruit's effects, but warn that there's little chance of it possessing miraculous curative powers.