NOTE: This is an edited version of a full article previously published at TMuscle.
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the past 3 years, you’ve hard of this “magical” berry. Every time you open a magazine, there it is, looking at you all seductively. You can’t read anything related to diet or fat loss without it showing up.
So let’s get the facts all straightened out.
To put it in terms that are more interesting–at least to me–Acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee), is sort of like the Kim Kardashian (pronounced card-ASS-ee-in) of the anti-oxidant world; that is, they’ve both been around for a while, but until about two or three years ago, no one really knew about it.
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Acai (and Kim) exploded into the mainstream.
Acai started dating rappers, showing up at all the best parties, and that —coupled with the release of the infamous Acai Sex Tape—made sure everyone wanted a piece of this, er…robust fruit. And its juices. Oh boy.
Over the past several months especially, it seems like every where you look, every entertainment medium from trashy magazines to Oprah is talking about Acai and Kim K. Since you probably know all about the latter, let’s talk a bit about the former.
Before we go ANY FURTHER, let’s just put it out on the table and talk about what Acai is NOT:
DESPITE WHAT THE INTERNET ADS MAY TELL YOU….
- Acai is not a fat-burner.
- Acai is not going to make in you instantly slim
- Acai does not burn, trim, tighten, or firm
- Acai does not suppress appetite
- Acai is not a cure-all, or a quick fix
- Acai will not give you a bigger penis, harder erections, or more stamina
That should about cover what it’s not.
So the question is, if Acai doesn’t perform any of the aforementioned (awesome) tasks, then what the hell does it do, and why is everyone making a big deal about it?
Grown from the acai palm (a.k.a. euterpe), acai berries are a fruit native to Central and South America where they are both regularly available and consumed. In North America, acai has more recently made its way into fruit juice blends and nutritional supplements, with the mo st potent form being freeze dried powder derived from the fruit’s skin and pulp. The preliminary research on acai has been promising, particularly with regards to the fruit’s antioxidant properties. Acai has been shown to:
THE GOOD STUFF (backed by actual science!):
- be abundant in many vitamins B1, B2, B3, C, and E
- possess high concentrations of the free radical scavenging anthocyanins cyandin 3-glucoside and cyanidin 3-rutinoside
- yield the highest oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) value of any fruit
- high activity20against superoxide, peroxil, peroxynitrite and hydroxyl radicals
- inhibit inflammatory cyclooxygenase enzymes COX-1 and COX-2; enzymes important in both acute and chronic inflamation
- stimulate production of macrophages, white blood cells extremely important to the immune system
- be potentially effective for anti-cancer supplementation due to activation of caspase-3, an enzyme important in apoptosis
Acai is certainly a super berry, super fruit, super antioxidant, super-any-way-you-look-at-it food.
So Acai is, after all, pretty cool–just not as cool as the supplement ads make it seems.
For fighting free-radicals and overall oxidative stress, you’re not going to find much out there that’s better as a singular addition to your diet or supplement article; however, it’s really important to note that most people eating healthfully probably don’t have to worry too much.
If you want to supplement with Acai for health benefits, the research is definitely. However, if you’re looking for a fat-burning aid, look elsewhere.
Okay, if anyone needs me, I’ll be working on my sex tape so that I can get famous just like our friend Kim. Just kidding. But not really.
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Comments for This Entry
Tommy
I would marry "kim'' in a hart beat!!! But This really was a great blog...June 26, 2011 at 5:04 am
Natalie
Thank you for the information. That really cleared my mind but anyway, Acai is still effective for me. Cheers, Natalie, acai slim weight loss researcherMay 26, 2011 at 5:47 am
redken
I was really confused what Acai actually is. Different information sources says different things. I like your information it is reliable and I knew something for which I was unaware. thanksMay 16, 2011 at 1:13 am
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I have heard a lot of good reviews with Acai. I think its time to try it.May 7, 2011 at 2:06 pm
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What a great post. I love this post. I shared with my friends.April 25, 2011 at 5:24 am
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To be honest, I enjoy taking berry daily. I agree on what it does and doesn't do. Chewing the berry is more healthy that just drink the juice with similar flavor.April 12, 2011 at 12:27 am
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She looks sporty,fit and health.The report on how she keeps her shape is valuable for me as I am also hoping to lose some weight in the near future.April 11, 2011 at 2:07 am
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Great blog! Has been bookmarked for visiting later!March 23, 2011 at 12:30 am
margie
There are many different methods to help erectile dysfunction these days. It is a curse to the man’s manhood and if anyone suffering from ED feels shy to go and consult with his doctor then he only has himself to blame. On the other hand if he chooses a reliable male enhancement supplement readily available on the internet without any needed prescription, he can enjoy his sex life to the fullest with new energy and libido www.vigrxbooster.comFebruary 18, 2011 at 4:56 pm
Cleanse
probably, it is not my blog. basically, I am not a berry fan. but I am feeling this blog is useful for berry loversFebruary 9, 2011 at 9:19 pm
Ted
Three years. Thats how long I give just about anything new on the market before I'll consider it. By then it has been thru the crucible of public opinion. Three years also seems to be the doubling for KK's ass. I think people watch her to see when the caboose on that train wreck finally explodes.February 6, 2011 at 4:41 pm
Natural Male Enhancement
Acai supplements are available in multiple forms depending your preference for capsules, drinks or topical creams. Acai supplements are heralded as anti-aging drugs because of the high concentration of natural skin enriching compounds. Acai extract contains phytoserols, which are known to protect collagen and increase the skin's moisture.February 4, 2011 at 11:32 pm
johnplayers
i liked your post,its nice artical.well,i like your blog.January 14, 2011 at 5:58 am
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I do not read magazine much, therefore I have no idea what the fruit is called when i occasionally sees it. Well, thanks for sharing this post, it clears things up :)December 29, 2010 at 8:46 pm
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Thank you for sharing the information with us. I wish it will work for the fitness in the future.December 21, 2010 at 7:15 pm
MonaVie
These are great tips. Hope they work on my blog.December 13, 2010 at 3:30 am
MonaVie
Nice blog having useful information. Would visit again for more.December 13, 2010 at 12:51 am
phillip
Great information! I’ve been looking for something like this for a while now. Thanks!December 13, 2010 at 12:32 am
Dr Brad Campbell
Well, I think I got it. Kim Kardashian became widely known for a sex tape with her former boyfriend Ray J and her E! reality series which she shares with her family, Keeping Up with the Kardashians (from Wikipedia.com).December 5, 2010 at 1:00 am
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To be honest .. I enjoy taking acai berry daily. I agree on what it does and doesn't do. If you want to get six pack abs, then you must have an abs workouts routine regardless of what supplements you take.December 1, 2010 at 10:45 pm
augmentin
http://www.AUGMENTIN.CONovember 12, 2010 at 2:32 am
megan
Now I know a lot more about these berries, thank you for a lot of good information.November 10, 2010 at 4:40 am
johnplayers
great,excellent job done http://www.learntohack.webnode.comOctober 25, 2010 at 1:34 am
Acai
Thanks for highlighting what Acai isn't. It has been getting such a bad rap because of all the losers trying to make a quick buck and yet it really does have some great benefits. Its important to buy from a reputable supplier - I prefer Sambazon products.October 13, 2010 at 2:47 pm
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Acai berry is really a super food.Its good for health.October 12, 2010 at 4:18 am
paul
my sister tried the acai stuff and never had much luck with it..but then again she never exercised. she just thought that a pill would take care of it for her. a year on and finally she is doing some abs workouts and getting the abs and body she wants. great info, thanks for sharing! paulSeptember 1, 2010 at 4:08 am
john williams
I've used Pure Acai and have to say it works well, you have so much more energy after it.August 23, 2010 at 6:09 pm
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Acai is a good product, I've used it but have to say i like Maqui berry better and found it worked better.August 23, 2010 at 6:08 pm
The Truth About Acai Berry
Hi, I am totally agree with you. There are many lies and myths about acai berry. I don't have a problem with myths but lies are so lame. Almost all acai berry manufacturers lie people about their product like "lose weight immediately", "burn fat now" so and so forth. Acai Berry is great but I need to agree that it is not that powerful for weight loss. Indirectly it can help though by boosting metabolism but it is long story :) Thanks for the blog postAugust 20, 2010 at 5:10 pm
Omar Isuf Trainer
This came up when I was searching for Kim, bro I hear you on the Acai-agreed, but don't hate on Kim, she's HOT and thats reason enough to make her famous!August 5, 2010 at 10:42 am
Jay
Not really sure what Acai Berry and Kim Kardasian have in common. Quite an imagination you have. Although I do agree that Acai Berry has become more popular recently, I don't believe they are going to be a fad like (sadly) Kim. Its only a matter of time before another nobody gets famous due to a sex tape!July 28, 2010 at 6:16 am
Peter Drayer
They are high in anti-oxidants, but not as high as blueberries. They really aren't special, and definetly not worth the price. They don't make you loose weight, nor any of the other supposed magical properties. I have been on the acai blast for a few months. It has made me feel better. I can not comment on how well it works for weight loss. I am was not looking to lose weight but was more into the health reasons of taking the acai berry itself.July 28, 2010 at 1:52 am
Enes
Hello, thanks for the good post. I am really interested in acai berry and had a research about it on the internet and I even have a website about acai berries. I believe, acai berry is helpful for weight loss because of its characteristics of boosting metabolism. If you are more energetic, for example, you'll have better chances to lose weight. If you feel good, you can have more energy to do sports or any exercises to help weight loss. Acai berry, of course, does not help you lose quick weight but it is motivational to start. CheersJuly 25, 2010 at 8:20 am
Dave
Buy dried Montmorency Cherries at Costco, it is WAY cheaper and is the second-highest fruit on the ORAC scale. Stir it into some non-fat, plain yogurt and you get a great dessert, probiotics and can save a bunch of money on your car insurance.May 18, 2010 at 2:37 am
Kirsten
Great article. Another thing about a lot of the "miracle drinks" out there is that they don't even disclose how much ACTUAL ACAI is in the "blend". I LOVE acai in the amazon in Brazil. First time I had it so nothing compares- I was spoiled at first taste! Never thought it was a fat burner, always knew it was high antioxidant and the power of those for health benefits. But I have noticed my sugar cravings are less when I take a supplement that has a lot of raw food extracts/high superfood content. Less sugar = less fat to me.May 17, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Sue Kuchman
I checked wikapedia - I think Kim's popularity comes from the Dec 2007 Playboy - you men make it happen and then question why HA!May 17, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Per
For a list of other foods that have a high ORAC value if Acai is hard/expensive to come by. Don't know why, but Acai is acctually not present in this table: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen_radical_absorbance_capacityMay 17, 2010 at 11:19 am
Ruth
Great Article, glad I read this as I had a sample of this and it did nothing as I guessed. Kim who? never heard of her. Thanks for all the good advice and blogs.May 17, 2010 at 4:07 am
Alex "Dude Where's My Muscle" Siddy
Comparing Acai Berries with Kim Kardashian...I love it! I enjoyed the honest nature of this article and the fact that you are exposing Acai for what it is: a fruit that possesses awesome antioxidant properties and health benefits but none of the magical powers of weight loss that marketing would have us believe. As for trying to find how the F Kim Kardashian became famous, it's seriously beyond me. At least with Acai Berries we all understand why they became famous, Kim's case is a little harder to determine and I get a headache even thinking about it. Keep the posts rolling in!May 16, 2010 at 7:24 am
John Romaniello
Originally Posted By ClaireYou have serious brass. I must admit that you cause me to crack up with laughter. Keep on keeping on. Thanks, Claire! Will do my best =)May 15, 2010 at 2:11 pm
John Romaniello
Originally Posted By Nathan Yeah, about the F word... What the fucks that all about, man? I don't fuckin know man. Can't stop myself.May 15, 2010 at 2:10 pm
John Romaniello
Originally Posted By KelceyLoved the article -- could have done without the F word though. Thanks for posting, glad you liked the article! Regarding the language--just the nature of my blog. Hope you can look past the uncouth attitude of Roman =)May 15, 2010 at 2:09 pm
David
Great post. I will have to plant the palm for a regular supply. Might take a little time for the crop to be ready though. Thought she was in Star Trek LOLMay 15, 2010 at 7:26 am
Nathan
According the the non-american: - KK has reality show (reality in that its 100% staged) - 1 hot sister - 1 not-so-hot sister - Her step dad was an olympic decathlete (pretty hardcore) - Her brother must have been the most messed-up/incest dreaming young man of all time - she has a big, fat ass (at the same time being pretty hot looking but really annoying) - Reggie (Bush) used to hit her bush Yeah, about the F word... What the fucks that all about, man?May 15, 2010 at 4:33 am
Claire
You have serious brass. I must admit that you cause me to crack up with laughter. Keep on keeping on.May 14, 2010 at 10:16 pm
Robyn
Great post John, just wish I'd known back then what I found out about a year or so ago,,, it didn't work for fat loss,,, oh well. Maybe their weight-loss claims have something to do with the theory that anti-oxidants could help the liver with eliminating the bad stuff we pump into it, and therefore have more energy to burn the fat, or something like that,,, lol. Any theory will do if it brings in the $$$.May 14, 2010 at 6:17 pm
Kelcey
Loved the article -- could have done without the F word though.May 14, 2010 at 6:16 pm
Nick
I got hooked up in the acai scam for two bottles. Was going to quit after the first but they gave me a deeper discount. Now I am thinking that if I had the opportunity to go a little deeper into Kim K., I might actually have a chance at burning some fat at a reasonable price. Roman, keep on writin'. Your a blastMay 14, 2010 at 5:58 pm
kristijan
great article John!as always...well said kind sirMay 14, 2010 at 5:22 pm
T
She really has done nothing. Her father was an attorney, actually one of the attorneys that represented O.J. in the double homicide trial in Los Angeles. That's what brought notoriety to the Kardashian name.May 14, 2010 at 4:44 pm
Kevin
well she dated reggie bush for a while... mad her pretty famous. other than that... no clue hahaMay 14, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Sean
I travel to Brazil for business a lot. There Acai is cheap. You can buy it from street vendors and its fresh. You buy it in shake form or in bowls where it looks like puree. Its really good and fresh in that form it has about 1000 cals per 500g bowl. Down there its consumed as a after workout meal by body builders. Some of the cafes cater to health unlike the shit up here. You can order the bowl with extra protein powder, and supplement you like and they make at counter fresh. I laugh my ass off when seeing it for $70 a bottle here. Its about $3 for a great serving. I have it all the time down there as a healthy meal replacement as you can specify the amount and know how many cals, how much fat, how much protein. So getting it where its made is certainly the best. And damn it tastes good.May 14, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Lee
I never believed Acai would work as a fat burner but was thinking about trying it until now lol. Thanks for the info John.May 14, 2010 at 3:49 pm
Suzie
That is funny I sure would love to know how Kim k got so famous! That is interesting about acia had a dr tell me to try it to lose weight. Never did buy it. Didn't figure it would work. ;-)May 14, 2010 at 3:49 pm
John Romaniello
Originally Posted By PedroIn addition to what you mention, I also read that Acai berry's great properties are only good if the berry is fresh and by the time they arrive here in the states, it loses some of its great properties. Any thought on that? Great point. A lot of the research is a bit murky, but in almost all cases for fruits and veggies, fresh is best. That said, there is a lot of value in eating veggies/fruits (including acai) that has been flash-frozen, and a lot of companies tend to do that to maintain freshness. Just have to find the right ones!May 14, 2010 at 3:44 pm
John Romaniello
Originally Posted By Michael D. ShadduckJohn, Welch's Grape Juice at .80 cents a glass has more ORAC Value than MonaVie that costs $40 a bottle. I am not promoting Welch's. There is something even better. The Test Results are in. My Best, Michael D. Shadduck. This is an awesome post. I was going to mention this but need a few more studies. Thanks Michael!May 14, 2010 at 3:42 pm
John Romaniello
Originally Posted By CarlitoLOL great article. I see questions all the time about acai and if it's worth some (insert outrageous price here) for it. As for Kim, ummm well she did play a role in....wait nevermind ...wait she did help wih ....wait nevermind FUCK k you got me ...:/ She's just more great fap material for young men. That's all she's famous for:). Truth all around. She has some appeal, of course. Screwing Brandys brother alone isn't enough to make you famous, or I'd assume there would be a few more famous girls running aroundMay 14, 2010 at 3:41 pm
sue
I am really disappointed you don't know why she is famous because I don't know why either. Now where will i look for this answer? Thanks for the info on the Acai. It cleared up a lot of questions for me. Keep the posts coming, they make my day ;)May 14, 2010 at 3:40 pm
bootsrandolph
Kim became famous because 1) Bruce Jenner is step father 2) dating Reggie Bush and 3) Plump ass.May 14, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Michael D. Shadduck
John, Welch's Grape Juice at .80 cents a glass has more ORAC Value than MonaVie that costs $40 a bottle. I am not promoting Welch's. There is something even better. The Test Results are in. My Best, Michael D. Shadduck.May 14, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Cheryl
Acai - used it and liked the energy level I felt but didn't lose weight on it. Just felt more stimulated mentally rather than physical. Kim - made a terrible sex tape that was magically leaked out... also her dad represented OJ - and her mom pimps her out like a $2 whore so there you go on the "famous"... :)May 14, 2010 at 2:58 pm
Andy
Great article. And now I can rest knowing what all these Acai ads are really selling (and also how to pronounce the thing). As for Kim Kardashian, well, she's famous for just being famous of course.May 14, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Carolyn
Hey John, I always love (and laugh while reading) your blogs! Sadly I'm a high school teacher, so my students think I'm crazy laughing wildly with pictures of Kim Kardashian's booty and your abs on my computer screen. Yet I digress... I was under the impression that the juice form of the acai berry was NOT nearly as beneficial as the price tag would have you believe, in terms of antioxidant benefits etc. Whole berries are really the only way to get the benefits, am I right? Not sure if you know that or not, but just curious. As for your side note, let us all know if you find out, would you?!May 14, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Pedro
In addition to what you mention, I also read that Acai berry's great properties are only good if the berry is fresh and by the time they arrive here in the states, it loses some of its great properties. Any thought on that?May 14, 2010 at 2:48 pm
Bill Pairaktaridis
Well, she f*cked Brandy's brother. So, that's gotta account for something. I mean, the guy has no talent and he's like 5" tall. So, um, there. Don't know much else. She hangs around with the Hilton crowd? I guess? Don't know what they did to become famous either...May 14, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Carlito
LOL great article. I see questions all the time about acai and if it's worth some (insert outrageous price here) for it. As for Kim, ummm well she did play a role in....wait nevermind ...wait she did help wih ....wait nevermind FUCK k you got me ...:/ She's just more great fap material for young men. That's all she's famous for:).May 14, 2010 at 2:27 pm