For literally millions of individuals losing weight can be a never ending battle that is filled with frustration. In fact, the number of individuals that are either overweight or obese continue to rise at an alarming rate. This being said, countless companies have jumped on the acai berry and weight loss band wagon claiming that they have the answer to real weight loss. Many of the acai berry and weight loss products marketed by these weight loss companies are all natural products that claim to either increase metabolism levels, suppress appetite, or both.

One such product is the acai berry. The acai berry is a purple-reddish fruit that can be found on the acai palm trees located in the rain forests of South America, especially in Brazil. Clinical studies and analysis have shown that the acai berry contains a high number of several vitamins and minerals.

The Acai Berry Health, Wellness, and Weight Loss Benefits

For example, the acai berry contains Vitamin B, Vitamin C, calcium, iron, phosphorous, potassium, fiber, and 19 amino acids. More specifically, the acai berry contains several nutrients that are called anthocyanins and flavonoids. In addition, the acai berry also contains a fatty acid that is similar to olive oil.

Anthocyanins are what give many of the fruits, vegetables, and flowers their red, blue, and purple color. Foods types that are high in anthocyanins include acai, blueberries, red grapes, and red wine.

Anthocyanins and flavonoids are considered powerful antioxidants that assist the body in defending itself against several of the stresses that can lead to a more serious disease. In addition, anthocyanins and flavonoids also provide cellular protection by neutralizing free radical damage. Free radicals are atoms or molecules that have a single unpaired electron in their outer shell.

Free radicals are highly unstable atoms or molecules that can react quickly with other nearby atoms or molecules in an attempt to “steal” an electron from them so that they (the free radical atom or molecule) can gain stability. One important aspect of free radicals to understand is that when an atom or molecule gives up one it it’s electrons to a free radical atom or molecule it becomes a free radical itself. This, in turn, can create a chain reaction of free radicals being generated and can result in damaging and/or disrupting the functionality of a living cell.

The human body generates free radicals through the process of normal metabolism. As an example, the the human body’s immune system will intentionally create free radicals to neutralize several types of viruses and bacteria. However, several environmental factors can also produce free radicals including pollution, cigarette smoke, radiation, and many types of herbicides.

Typically, the human body can control free radicals, however, if antioxidants and flavonoids are unavailable or if the generation of free radicals becomes extreme, cellular damage can occur. Vitamins like C and E are believed to neutralize free radicals by donating one of their outer shell electrons to the free radical atom or molecule, thus, ending the chain reaction.

It should be noted that the antioxidant (i.e. vitamin C and E) do not become a free radical once they have given up an electron since they are able to remain stable in either state. Hence, antioxidants like vitamin C and E are excellent neutralizers of free radicals and assist in preventing damage to cells and tissue that if left unchecked, could lead to not only cellular damage, but contraction of several diseases as well.

The acia berry has a very high Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) value. The ORAC value indicates the antioxidant capacity of a food and is used by the USDA. The higher the ORAC value, the greater the foods ability to act as an antioxidant and neutralize free radical atoms and/or molecules. The acai berry has an ORAC value of 167. In comparison, blueberries have an ORAC value of 32, apples 14, and bananas 5.

By reducing the amount of free radical damage, antioxidants found in the acai berry may assist in the prevention of several debilitating diseases and promote good health and wellness. Below is a list of several health benefits associated with consuming foods that are high in antioxidants:

• Strengthen and support the immune system

• Assist in weight loss

• Improve digestion

• Cleanses the digestive track

• Reduce pain, soreness, and stiffness

• Facilitate healthy sleep

• Increase energy & stamina levels

• Increase libido

• Ward off several types of cancer and other diseases

• Lower blood pressure levels

• Combat aging and reduce inflammation

• Reduce the probability of heart disease

The acai berry has been widely touted, and rightfully so, for it’s high level of antioxidants. In addition, several companies claim that the acai berry, when regularly consumed, is effective at promoting weight loss. The acai berry became popular after an endorsement from Oprah Winfrey on her well-known afternoon talk show and has been used to create anti-aging serums, body oils, facial cleansers, and hair products. The antioxidants found within the acai berry are believed to diminish wrinkles, improve skin quality, and create shinier hair.

However, to date, the most popular use of the acai berry is in the creation of weight loss supplements. According to several health professionals, consuming the acai berry alone will not promote rapid weight loss. A Chicago Independent Press article published by industry analyst Charles Sternberg entitled “Acai Berry for Weight Loss?” stated that, “Consumers will see ads all over the Internet claiming that the acai berry will just shed pounds off with one dose.

It’s not true. Nothing will do that.” To this end, there are several companies that are promoting their acai berry weight loss supplement as a “magic diet” pill that will instantly promote weight loss. This is just not going to be true.

On the other hand, the acai berry does contain several nutrients that promote increased levels of energy and improvements in digestion. The improvements in energy may slightly increase the individuals metabolism level and hence, create an environment where they burn a higher number of calories per day.

In addition, the acai berry has also been shown to improve digestion and the overall process of digestion. By doing so, it may be possible that the acai berry assists the body in promoting healthy absorption and processing of foods while assisting in cleansing the digestive track at the same time.

While solely taking an acai berry supplement alone will not produce significant weight loss; the acai berry supplement may increase overall energy levels, provide healthy nutrients to the body, and assist in the digestive process.

Hence, the right answer for individuals that are looking to safely and effectively lose weight is to consume a healthy well balanced whole food diet that is rich in nutrients and increase their daily physical activity level. Adding an acai berry weight loss supplement to this approach will assist in the rate at which the individual will safely lose weight and provide their body with several nutrients that are healthy for the body.