Acai Berry: what does it do?

Everytime you log onto your email, you are assaulted with spam offering you the miracle of acai berry supplement, the latest superfood touted by Dr. Oz on Oprah some months ago. The acai berry supplement scam is now considered one of the worst internet scams to date.

So what is this berry and is it effective? Is it a joke? Is there any way to take advantage of it with being a victim of a scam?

According to the Mayo Clinic , acai is a grape-like berry that is harvested from palm trees in Brazil, and has a short shelf life. Some view it as a miracle beauty tool while others are skeptical it is actually worth Dr. Oz's intense praise.

According to Irene Levy of Planet Berry, acai is an incredibly nutritious food. It is full of necessary amino acids, antioxidants, and fatty acids. "Acai also has a synergy of dietary fiber, monounsaturated fats and phytosterols that promote cardiovascular and digestive health. It also has an amino acid complex with trace minerals that induce muscle contraction and regeneration. Acai has fatty acid content similar to that of olive oil and is rich in monounsaturated oleic acid." It can improve eyesight, cholesterol levels, blood circulation, and the immune system.

The detoxifying properties of acai are definitely capable of making skin look younger, boosting energy levels, and assisting in weight loss, but they do not cause you to magically shed pounds. Only burning calories can do that.

But, you might be thinking to yourself, don't most berries do that? The answer is yes. Any berry high in antioxidants, like blueberries, is going to effectively do the same as acai. So while acai is certainly a food worth eating, it doesn't have magical properties that other foods don't.

If you are interested in trying acai berry juice or taking a supplement, don't buy it online, which is more than likely a scam. Look for it in your local nutrition or health food store. That way you know exactly what you are getting and there is no danger of being cheated.