If you’re reading this I am sure that you’ve also heard of the mysterious powers of the Acai Berry and it’s possible uses. I thought I’d dig up some information on it from various sources and see if I can find anything that confirms all the statements and claims.

From Wikipedia:

The açaí palm, or aqai, is a member of the genus Euterpe, which contains eight species of palm trees that are native to Central and South America, from Belize southward to Brazil and Peru. These palms grow mainly in swamps and floodplains.

The genus is named after the muse Euterpe of Greek mythology. Euterpe are tall, slender palms growing to 15–30 meters, with pinnate leaves up to 3 meters long. Many of the palms that were once in the genus Euterpe have been reclassified into the genus Prestoea (Riffle, 2003). The species Euterpe oleracea is usually called Açaí Palm, after the European adaptation of the Tupian word ïwasa’i, ‘[fruit that] cries or expels water’.

Açaí palms are fast-growing, and are cultivated for both their fruits and for their superior hearts of palm. Global demand for the fruit has expanded rapidly in recent years, and açaí is now cultivated for that purpose primarily. The closely-related species Euterpe edulis (jucara) is now predominantly used for hearts of palm.

Recently, the açaí “berry” has been touted and marketed as a highly beneficial dietary supplement. Companies sell açaí berry products in the form of tablets, juice, smoothies, instant drink powders, and whole fruit.

Marketers of these products make claims that açaí provides increased energy levels, improved sexual performance, improved digestion, detoxification, high fiber content, high antioxidant content, improved skin appearance, improved heart health, improved sleep, and reduction of cholesterol levels. More dubious claims include reversal of diabetes and other chronic illnesses, as well as expanding size of the penis and increasing men’s sexual virility and sexual attractiveness to women. Açaí is most commonly marketed as a weight loss product.

As of March 2009, there are no controlled studies backing up any of these claims. According to ABC News correspondent Susan Donaldson, these products have not been evaluated (in the United States) by the FDA, and their efficacy is questionable.In late 2008, lawyers for The Oprah Winfrey Show began investigating alleged statements from supplement manufacturers who suggested that frequent Oprah guest Dr. Mehmet Oz had recommended their product or açai in general for weight loss.

Visit Wikipedia for more information

NBC News also had this news snippet on the Acai Berry

Other than these 2 articles (video) I cant seem to find any more information about the Acai Berry, it’s rumoured benefits and or side effects. I have to be honest, I won’t trust anything that somone punts as a way to make very good money, especially when she goes on more about the money she makes than the benefits she gains from the product… Also be on the lookout for scammers that sell trial versions of the product, there have been numerous reports on people losing lots of money and receiving nothing in return.

Watch this space for more Acai Berry information…