Magical Purple Berry
by Dana Denis, MSPH., RD (topic expert: nutrition)

My family and I were at a bicycle race in our town earlier this year where various vendors had set up booths. We were drawn to a booth with a man offering samples of a juice. His claim was drinking just 2 ounces of this juice once or twice a day was the same as consuming 19 servings of fruits!!

You can imagine my surprise. For years I have been touting consuming at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day as part of a balanced diet, and now all you have to do is drink 2 to 4 ounces of this juice and, voila! The good news doesn't stop there. This magical juice can also help increase energy, help joint and muscle pain, diabetes, cardiovascular health and cancer. That must be why there is a $40 per bottle price tag on the product. In talking with other spectators at the race, some swore by it and others had undesirable gastro-intestinal symptoms.

The secret weapon in the juice - the acai berry (pronounced "ah-sigh-ee"). The acai palm tree in the Brazilian rainforests produces small, round fruit, similar to a blueberry; however with a large seed. The berry itself is fragile and therefore the fruit pulp or a juice blend (mixed with other tropical fruits) is the main export to the United States. The acai juice is said to taste like a mixture of red wine and chocolate - not a bad combination.

What are the real benefits? This small berry possibly has the largest amount of antioxidants of any fruit according to laboratory tests, which could be promising in protecting against diseases like cancer. This small berry is also nutrient rich with polyunsaturated fats, calcium, Vitamin E, potassium and magnesium.

Studies are now being conducted in humans. One study involving 12 health volunteers found that the beneficial antioxidants are being absorbed in the body. This is important because if they are not absorbed they cannot protect and fight against disease. However, we do not know how much the body can absorb; more may not be necessarily better.

Another recent laboratory study compared acai juice against red wine, tea and other juices. The "antioxidant capacity" of acai was higher than orange juice, apple juice and tea; similar to black cherry and cranberry juice and lower than pomegranate juice (with added antioxidants), Concord grape juice and blueberry juice.

The acai berry being labeled as the latest "Superfood" does cause some concern. Although it is a nutritious food, it is not a cure all and if consumed should be incorporated into a balanced diet for the greatest health benefit.

The latest claim for this magical berry is weight loss, which has hit the web with acai diet capsules. There are no studies that have shown these capsules have any of the nutritional benefits of the berry or juice.

Back at the bike race, caution must be taken with any health claims made regarding the acai berry or any other "superfood." The information often comes from individuals with no nutrition education or knowledge who make false claims, with or without the intent to do so. When trying to decipher nutritional claims, consult a dietitian at www.eatright.org.