Are there any known acai berry side effects? This is one of the most common questions asked by people who are considering taking acai berry supplements. There are many other questions people have about acai as well and you can find answers to all your questions by visiting our acai berry information section.

Acai berry itself is just a fruit like any other fruit such as apples or bananas. You don’t expect to experience any side effects from eating apples or bananas, do you? The only difference between apples or bananas, however, is that acai berries won’t be found at your local super market.

It’s only found in the Amazon and perishes very quickly so it must be consumed almost immediately after being picked. The only way to get acai berry then is to get it in supplement form whether it be frozen acai pulp, acai berry powder, juice, or a number of other forms. And therein lies the problem.

The key then to avoid any acai side effects is to stick with pure acai berry supplements such as those recommended on our best acai berry products page. As long as you stick with these brands or similar brands that contain 100% pure acai berry, then most people will not experience any side effects.

Having said that, it is always wise to consult your doctor whenever you start a new supplement program – especially if you have any medical conditions, are taking prescription drugs, are pregnant or nursing, or have hereditary conditions such as asthma or allergies. To date however, there are really no known drug reactions to taking 100% pure acai berry supplements nor are there any serious acai side effects.

There are no daily requirements established for acai berry supplements, but our research shows that the recommended daily dose is from 1,000 to 4,000 mg, depending also on the concentration of the supplement you are taking. This range of dosage though, is still way below what the residents of Brazil’s Amazon have been eating for the past hundred years or so with little to no known side effects.

The cases may be few and far between and the effects minor, but these are still worth noting as some of you might be having this same inherent health condition.

In addition to traditional supplement form, other forms of acai berry include puree and juice, which are mainly produced by mashing fresh acai berries. In these forms, there are also no identified side effects of acai berry. But because fruit juice can be consumed in extremely large amounts, it is possible for some to experience mild diarrhea. This effect however, is not unlike one’s reaction to other foods when taken in excess.

What consumers should be wary about is when some companies eager to make easy money out of the popularity of acai will come out with their own supplements, juices, and preservatives that are not made up of 100% pure acai berry.

Some known fillers to acai products are guarana, other fruit juices, and sweeteners. When mixed with these ingredients, it is possible for acai to have side effects. In addition, buying less than 100% pure acai will also lessen the health benefits that can be derived from the supplement.

As a last note, let me emphasize the importance of buying products or supplements consisting of 100% pure acai berry such as those sold by Perfect Acai. This is the only way that you can be sure not to experience any acai berry side effects.

Being touted as the, “#1 Superfood,” by Dr. Perricone, it’s no wonder that the potential benefits of acai berry are no less than amazing. While some other foods do promote these health advantages as well, finding them all in a single fruit is just incredible. Here are some of the benefits that pure acai berry supplements and products sold by companies like Perfect Acai may potentially offer:

1. Aids in weight loss
2. Boosts energy and vigor
3. Helps combat serious illnesses including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer
4. Strengthens the immune system
5. Aids in developing a healthy digestive system
6. Diminishes the signs of aging
7. Enhances vision
8. Boosts sexual performance

Let’s find out why acai can potentially deliver these health benefits and what people have experienced as far as each of these health benefits go:

As a Weight Loss Aid

How can acai promote weight loss? Its high fiber content, omega fatty acids, amino acids, and other vitamins all contribute to promote appetite suppression, increase metabolism, slow down the buildup of body fat, and boost energy to allow you to increase your daily activity and burn more calories. We all know that with regular exercise and the right diet, you can achieve your ideal weight. While acai berry supplements alone won’t do much for weight loss, the nutritional makeup of the acai berry may help with your weight loss efforts if you incorporate them into a healthy diet.

As an Energy and Stamina Booster

Do you know that acai is a staple diet component of many Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighters, top athletes, and world-class surfers? This is because acai is packed with carbohydrates, proteins and healthy fats that these people believe rejuvenate the body and keep it going through vigorous activities.

As a Fighter of Different Illnesses

Diabetes, heart diseases, and all forms of cancer are some of the leading causes of death worldwide. Acai berry promotes general well-being and some believe it may help fight and prevent these illnesses. The high concentration of antioxidants proven to be found in acai can prevent cells from being damaged. Damaged cells can lead to oxidative stress and consequently, diseases. In addition, acai berry contains healthy fatty acids and phytoserols that are thought to lower blood pressure and prevent heart ailments.

As an Immune System Booster

One of the benefits of acai berry that has drawn more people to its use is that it is said to strengthen one’s immune system. Again, antioxidants play a huge role in boosting immune system and acai happens to have antioxidant concentration that is several times higher than other fruits. As an example, blueberries are regarded as one of the most antioxidant-packed fruits but the acai berry has more than twice the amount of antioxidants than blueberries!

As an Aid to a Healthy Digestive System

Of the 52 grams of carbohydrates in a 100-g serving of freeze-dried acai, 84% of that is fiber. High fiber content promotes a healthy digestive system, therefore preventing constipation and hemorrhoids. From the suggested dosage of acai, you can already get the recommended daily allowance of fiber that your body needs.

As an Anti-Aging Product

Free radicals caused by outside pollutants and even those brought about by our daily activities can damage skin and this will show in our looks over time. Acai’s abundance of antioxidants may act to help reduce the effects of the aging process. Further, acai contains Vitamin E that is known to promote healthy skin.

As a Vision Enhancer

Anthocyanins and Vitamin A, both of which are found in acai berry, are believed to improve a person’s vision. It is even said that the British fighters of World War II consumed excessive amounts of bilberry which also contain these nutrients.

As a Boost to Libido

Natural viagra, anyone? Increased energy, reduced weight, and a healthy heart all contribute to boosting one’s sexual drive. The good fats that acai has also helps in cholesterol metabolism and in producing estrogen and testosterone.

Now knowing the extraordinary potential benefits of acai berry that users attest to, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t try it out yourself!

We all want to know: “What is acai good for?” If you want to go beyond the known health benefits that acai can give you, here’s a more scientific yet totally interesting take on the matter.

I’m sure you’ve all heard about the terms free radicals and antioxidants. In general, these terms are typically associated with the effects of aging and other diseases – one is the cause, the other, the antidote. But where do these actually start?

A Quick Background on Free Radicals

Our body is made up of atoms. There are the happy, stable ones which have an outer shell of electrons surrounding them, and there are also atoms on the other end of the spectrum – unhappy and unstable. These unbalanced atoms that are desperately in need of an additional electron to stabilize them are actually what we know as free radicals.

Free radicals jump from one atom to another, getting electron from other molecules as they go, and therefore creating more free radicals in the process. The not-so-good news about free radicals is that it can be caused by just about anything. Most people don’t know this but air pollutants, stress, and food chemicals are not the only causes of free radicals; they can also be brought about by our daily activities like eating, sleeping, or even doing exercises. Yes, free radicals are a given with our mere existence.

While free radicals are not detrimental to the body in low numbers, high levels of these can cause a host of diseases and health problems. Oxygen free radicals, a common type of free radical, cause damage in the body known as oxidative stress. The harm that this type of free radicals does to the body is similar to how rust eats at the side of one’s car.

How Antioxidants Help

Now that you already have an idea of how free radicals work, let’s bring the antioxidants into the picture. As defined earlier, free radicals are unstable atoms that need more electrons and cause oxidation. Antioxidants are the substances that can prevent or slow down oxidation, and they do this by bringing in that electron so badly needed by the free radical so it becomes a stable oxygen molecule.

ORAC and Acai Berry

So, in the face of all these explanations, what is acai good for? Let’s start by knowing what ORAC is. Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, or ORAC, is a laboratory analysis measuring the antioxidant activity of any substance, and then assigns a “score” based on the amount of antioxidants. The higher the ORAC score, the more concentrated the antioxidant content of that particular substance.

For our health’s sake, we should choose foods that possess stronger antioxidant properties as indicated by a higher ORAC level. While the USDA advocates that an individual consume 3,000 to 5,000 ORAC units daily, in reality, most of us only get to have about 1,000 ORAC units everyday.

Now here’s where acai berry reigns supreme. It is on the top of the list of fruits with the highest ORAC score, meaning it has the highest concentration of antioxidants. You may think pomegranate and blueberries are the antioxidant stars but not so. Acai berry has 67% more antioxidants than pomegranate and over 500% more antioxidants than blueberry as shown by the chart.

Now that we all know what goes on inside our bodies and how free radicals and antioxidants play a big role in our health, it’s easier to answer the question “What is acai good for?”

For those of you who may be wondering what is the acai berry, this article aims to give consumers a general idea of this fruit which has been touted as the new “superfood.”

Acai Berry – The Fruit

Long before the acai berry fruit was thrust into the global spotlight, it had long existed in the Amazon rain forest of Brazil, growing from the acai palm trees. Aside from its physical characteristics of being dark purple in color and about the same size as a grape, it is also known among the locals as a rich source of nutrients.

The fruit consists of about 10% edible pulp and skin, where all the nutrients are found, while the seed which is practically indigestible, makes up for the remaining 90% of it. The natives of the Amazon have made it a staple part of their diet not only for its health benefits, but also because of its savory taste. The small part of the acai which can be eaten is said to have the combined taste of berries and chocolate.

Acai Berry – “Miracle Diet?”

Over the past few years, the acai berry has been the subject of media interest as it was hyped up as a wonder food just discovered from the heart of the Amazon. It has come to be known in many different labels such as amazing food and superfood. It has been featured prominently in popular tv shows and is the subject of a book by Dr. Nicholas Perricone aptly titled “The Perricone Promise.”

Because it is loaded with nutrients, and contains antioxidants 10 times more than what is found in red grapes, acai berry does make for a great supplement. So if you ask what is the acai berry and how it can benefit you health-wise, you’ll find out that it is often credited for helping to alleviate many of today’s health concerns including aging, inflammation, and heart diseases. It is also claimed to be beneficial in promoting weight loss, increasing energy levels, improving sleeping habits, promoting stronger immune system, and boosting libido.

Please note, however, that all these supposed health benefits have yet to be proved conclusively in any studies. In fact, there are no studies to date that prove the reported health benefits are the direct result of acai berries.

Acai Berry – Effective Weight Loss Aid?

One of the uses of acai berry that has gained more attention over all its other benefits is the claim that it can help facilitate weight loss. In today’s society where having excess weight is a constant struggle, it is no wonder that being known as an effective weight loss supplement has helped to boost the popularity of this product. Unfortunately, there is no evidence to date that proves a direct correlation between acai berries and weight loss.

It may have nutritional components that can help with weight loss but even then its role would be limited. Only as part of an overall healthy diet will acai berry have any affect on weight loss but that affect would be minimal.

Acai Berry –The Supplements

Having the acai as a diet supplement is not as easy as you think. The fresh fruit can only be found in Brazil where it is grown and transporting it to other parts of the world is just not possible as it perishes quickly usually within 24 hours of being harvested. Thanks to technology, however, you can experience the health benefits of the acai berry no matter where you live.

Supplement companies, such as Perfect Acai, freeze dry the pulp to turn it into acai berry powder. The powder is then sold or used in capsules and other acai berry supplements. Perfect Acai is an example of a product that uses only the 100% pure organic freeze-dried powder.

Because we are constantly bombarded with different products that promise different benefits, it is important that we arm ourselves with the basic information about them before deciding to use these supplements. Hopefully this write-up on what is the acai berry has given you an idea of what this fruit, wonder food, and supplement is.