Are Acai Berries Truly a Miracle Superfood?
Acai berries have received a lot of media attention lately. Sensational ads and stories of weight loss, anti-aging and pain relief are all over the internet. The berries and their exotic promise of easy weight loss and instant vitality have been featured on mainstream television shows including Oprah, Rachael Ray and CNN. We were curious to find out if there was a strong basis to these claims, so we started looking for answers to our questions. Are super juices and pills containing Acai (pronounced “ah-sigh-ee”) the miracle of vitality, longevity and fast weight loss that so many sales pages tout? Are acai berries truly “one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world” as claimed on Oprah’s website?1
Consistent with our own philosophy, all whole foods in their pure and unprocessed form have healing and often miraculous properties. The exotic berries – including acai berries, elderberries, goji berry, mulberries, schizandra berry, goldenberries and bilberries – are each potent sources of antioxidants and each possess unique healing properties as outlined below. In fact, ALL berries – including the more common strawberries and blueberries – are anti-inflammatory and high in antioxidants! Beware of Acai Berries’ MarketingMany of these super berries, like the acai berries, do have compelling evidence of extraordinarily high levels of healing nutrients. And, like many traditional foods from remote regions, their healing properties have been enjoyed by indigenous people for many generations. Within a cleansing whole foods diet they can provide many health benefits.However, in our opinion, the evidence is not compelling enough to justify spending exorbitant amounts of money on exotic juices and supplements. Many companies marketing these products use questionable tactics as well - such as fake diet blogs or phony “expert” pages. This tactic is used to funnel readers into free trials that lead into a costly monthly commitment. Many of these products are of suspicious or unknown quality.2 So please be wary of all free trial offers and stories of people losing 30 pounds in 30 days by simply taking an acai berry supplement. These unbelievable stories are truly not believable and not documented by credible sources. Even the more reputable network marketing companies who use high quality raw product sources usually market an acai juice or goji juice blend that is mixed with other less potent juices and costs $40-$50 a bottle or $180-$200 for a monthly supply. We feel that kind of money would be better spent on fresh, organic fruits and vegetables from your local market! When we purchase acai berries or any of the exotic berries featured here, we buy them in as close to natural and pure form as possible – dried, powdered or juiced – without other fillers or additives. You may be able to find them at your local health food store, but be sure to look for 100% pure, organic, raw berries with NO additives.  When we can’t find quality sources locally, we buy them online at Live SuperFoods or Mountain Rose Herbs. We trust these two sources to provide the highest quality products, honest service and the lowest prices. We’ve researched dozens of raw food and superfood sources and nothing compares to the value provided by these top-notch companies. Acai Berries ARE a SuperFood! Also known as wolfberries, acai berries (pronounced “ah-sigh-ee”) come from the Amazon palm tree native to Brazil, scientifically known as Euterpe oleracea. These rainforest berries come in red or white, but the red berries are packed with more antioxidants than the white. They have been used for centuries by rainforest natives to increase energy, improve digestion and promote longevity. The acai berry is reported to possess 10 times the antioxidants of grapes and twice that of blueberries. They are also said to have somewhere between 10 to 30 times more anthocyanins than red wine. Anthocyanins are responsible for the red, blue and purple colors of many fruits and are highest in the deep hued berries like grapes, cranberries and acai berries. These powerful antioxidants clear out free radicals reducing the risk of degenerative diseases.3 Some initial studies at the University of Florida have shown acai berries to destroy leukemia cancer cells in a cultured dish. Other studies vary in their documentation of the actual levels of antioxidant activity from acai berries. There is currently no scientific study of acai berries and weight loss. Studies are ongoing and the actual superiority of acai berries over other antioxidant rich berries and fruits is still debatable. 4 They are highly nutritious and along with antioxidants are high in amino acids, essential fatty acids and trace minerals. They increase energy, enhance immunity and improve digestion. They are high in the fatty acid oleic acid which helps keep cell membranes supple and encourages absorption of the important Omega 3 oils, of which they contain trace amounts. Anecdotal evidence shows them to help reduce arthritic pain and they are known to be anti-inflammatory, like other berries. The active ingredients in acai berries last only 24 hours, so they must be pulped and freeze-dried quickly. Thus they are most commonly sold as juice, powder or pulp. Acai berry powder, 100% juice or pulp may be mixed into green smoothies, oatmeal or baked goods. Goji Berry is the Chinese SuperBerry The goji berry is also know as the Chinese wolfberry. There are two species with the scientific names Lyciumbarbarum or L. Chinense. While some sources market “Himalayan” or “Tibetan” Goji berries, there is debate whether these berries are actually grown in Tibet. Most commercial goji berries are grown on Chinese plantations.
The goji berry has been used in China, Tibet and India for 6,000 years as a folk remedy for building immunity, protecting the liver, improving eyesight and enhancing longevity. Like acai berries, goji berries are high in antioxidants, amino acids, essential fatty acids and trace minerals. They have a long list of nutrients including calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, selenium, Vitamin C, and beta carotene. They are in the nightshade family, so like tomatoes they are high in lutein and lycopene. These are carotenoids that respectively protect the eyes and the reproductive organs.5 Because the goji berry has a nice balance of carbs, protein, fat and fiber, they are able to balance blood sugar, reduce sugar cravings and provide high quality energy. Like all berries they are anti-inflammatory and help reduce arthritis symptoms. But, like acai berries, many false marketing campaigns promote them as a miracle cure with a long list of inflated claims that are not backed by clinical research. We encourage you to enjoy their true benefits by including them as a small part of a varied whole foods’ diet. It’s not necessary to purchase expensive juices and pills marketed as daily supplements that produce miraculous cures. Like acai berries, fresh goji berries must be eaten or freeze-dried within 24 hours and since they are harvested primarily in China, other regions don’t see them in their fresh form. They are also commonly treated with fertilizers and pesticides so it’s important to find organic goji berries.6 Use the dried berries as a great, tasty snack or mixed in granola, trail mix, oatmeal or buckwheat pancakes. They can be used in any way that you would use raisins and make a sweet, tangy alternative snack. The juice or powder may be used in smoothies, oatmeal or baked goods. Elderberries – the Western SuperBerry Elderberries are more commonly known in the West. They grow on a shrub called sambucus that originated in Europe and North America. These black berries have traditionally been dried and used in teas or tinctures to treat flus, aches, cough, and fever.7
Elderberry syrup is a common cough and cold treatment. The berries are high in potassium, vitamin C and the antioxidants including anthocyanins. So like goji and acai berries they contribute to fighting free radicals and helping to prevent degenerative diseases. Elderberries are also anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and have a laxative effect. Thus they are a healing treatment for the flu, common colds, and digestive issues. Use them fresh or dried, particularly in teas. They are a good immune booster during your detox. Mulberries make a Super Blood Tonic Mulberries grow in Asia and Europe on the Morus tree. They became popular in folklore through the nursery rhymes “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush” and “Pop Goes the Weasel.”
They’ve been used in Chinese medicine and European folk remedies for centuries. They are high in antioxidants including anthocyanins. They also possess a phytochemical called resveratrol that acts as a natural antibiotic to protect plants from diseases. Resveratrol is found in grape skins as well and is shown to starve cancer cells in humans. 8 They are also high in vitamin C, calcium, protein, and iron. Mulberries are a tonic to the blood and are thought to improve sleep and calm the mind. They come in black, red and white varieties. A crunchy berry, they are delicious in granola, trail mix or baking. Schizandra Berry – The Chinese 5-Flavor Seed The Schizandra berry (or schisandra berry) grows on the Chinese Magnolia Vine and is called the 5-flavored “seed” because it has a mix of sour, bitter, sweet, acrid and salty tastes. This red berry is very important in Chinese medicine because of its “adaptogenic” characteristic.
An adaptogenic herb is able to normalize an imbalance from either end of the spectrum. Thus the schizandra berry may be used to wake you up if you are feeling sleepy or to calm you down if you are feeling restless. Its stimulating properties balance mental function without making you jittery or over-stimulated. 9 Schizandra berries provide stamina, nourish the blood, and increase the production of detox enzymes. They are good for your brain, skin and reproductive organs. They boost immunity and nourish your liver. The schizandra berry (link to mountain rose?) is primarily available in dried or tincture forms and may be taken as a supplement. If you need extra energy during your detox, try adding the dried berries to your detox tea or taking a daily dose of the tincture. Goldenberries – A Sweet Detoxifier Goldenberries, or Physalis peruviana, are traditionally grown in Columbia and Peru. This berry is also known as cape gooseberry and agauaymanto berry. They are deliciously sweet and taste very similar to a golden raisin with a bit of added tartness.
Goldenberries are high in vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B6, B12, phosphorus, and calcium. They are also 16% protein. They promote digestion and help to clean the blood. They balance blood sugar and help to keep the prostrate gland healthy.10 Grown primarily in the Andes, they are also found in Asia. The native Incas used them for food and medicine. Buy golden berries organic and low-temperature dried then use them in any way that you would use raisins. Bilberries – The European Blueberry Bilberries are related to the blueberry and have been used for centuries both as medicine and food in Northern Europe. Like the other super berries they are high in antioxidants and are anti-inflammatory.
Bilberries are high in Vitamin C and the antioxidant anthocyanin from which it also gets its blue pigment. It is good for treating vision related conditions including retina damage and cataracts. It controls diarrhea by reducing intestinal inflammation and it balances blood sugar. As a folk remedy, bilberries were used on wounds to prevent infections. Bilberries may be found fresh, frozen or dried but are most commonly found fresh or frozen in Europe. They are softer and juicier than blueberries and thus more difficult to transport even for short distances. If you do find them, use them in fruit salad, buckwheat pancakes or as a tasty snack. 11 4www.longevity.about.com/antiagingfoods 10www.livesuperfoods.com/berries 11www.umm.edu/articles/bilberry
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