The Acai Berry Diet does not involve an explicit eating plan. Its main idea is to incorporate the berry into any menu plan a dieter chooses.
The acai (a-sigh-ee) berry is considered by proponents to have extraordinary weight loss properties, as well as possessing a host of other favorable nutritional qualities.
Acai berries are scarce. They only grow on palm trees in the Amazon rainforests of Brazil. The berry is a small, black, round fruit very much like a grape except that it has a large seed. Its agreeable taste resembles a combination of berries and chocolate. Indigenous people have used It has a long history of traditional usage in that country. Its purple pigment is rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids (healthy fats), amino acids and phytosterols. The fruit is also rich in vitamins and minerals and naturally boosts a person’s energy level.
Advocates of the berry claim its unique combination of these substances work together to improve metabolism, enhance digestion and reduce appetite. All these positives support weight loss. Unfortunately, dietitians are skeptical of these claims since they have no scientific backing.
One point beyond dispute is that the acai berry is a rich source of antioxidants and essential fatty acids.
Scientific studies confirm acai berries are rich with the anthocyanin and other antioxidants. This substance is contained in the dark pigment that gives the acai berry its purplish color, similar to other purplish fruits like cranberries, blueberries and foods as well as red wine and purple cabbage. The acai berry has one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants of any food. Proponents claim its high antioxidant content assists weight loss by promoting health and vigor. Again, there is no science to support these links.
Acai berries are also rich in fatty acids. These healthy fats assists the body control its blood sugar level and the production of insulin. If blood sugar spikes, it triggers an insulin spurt into the body to offset an increase in glucose in the blood. Insulin is a hormone that, in an unhealthy way, stimulates appetite and promotes the accumulation of fats. Controlling blood sugar limits the amount of insulin in the body and promotes weight loss by encouraging fat burning by the body.
In addition to its favorable weight loss properties, marketers of the acai berry claim the fruit assists a long list of other health issues including muscle development, blood circulation and restful sleep; control of arthritis, diabetes, fibromyalgia and cholesterol; correction of sexual dysfunction and digestive issues; prevents premature aging and accelerates recovery from injury.
