Açai berries, used as a supplement for weight loss and cancer prevention, may not be worth the hype.
Marketers advertised products like AçaiPure as having supposed benefits like weight loss, burning fat during sleep, cleansing the body of toxins, increasing energy and even preventing cancer. However, it’s been found that açai (pronounced ah-sigh-EE) berries do not actually have those health benefits and may actually make people gain weight, according to an Oct. 10 study done by Public Radio International.
University Health Center nutritionist Jessica Wilson said she would not advise açai supplements for weight loss.
“I would advise (people) to eat whole fruit instead of a supplement,” she said.
Açai is chock-full of antioxidants and fiber, but there is no scientific research that backs up companies’ claims that açai makes consumers lose weight, look younger, feel healthier and prevent cancer, according to Wilson and a Public Radio International article.
Assistant Athletic Director James Harris said that açai berries are great as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
“I wouldn’t use it (açai) for weight loss,” Harris said.
He said tart or sour cherries are used more than açai berries because there is more research to back up their nutritional value.
Açai supplements are not available at the University.
In the Amazon region in Brazil, where açai grows naturally, athletes actually eat the fruit before lifting weights for its high caloric content, according to the Public Radio International article.
Açai is a common ingredient in drinks sold by Jamba Juice and vitaminwater. The Açai Supercharger Original from Jamba Juice contains 420 calories and five grams of fat in one 24 fluid ounces serving. Jamba Juice also sells an Açai Topper vegan drink and Açai Super-Antioxidant “pre-boosted” smoothie.
Eugene’s only Jamba Juice is located on Green Acres Road north of Delta Highway.
The vitaminwater XXX açai-blueberry-pomegranate (triple antioxidants) contains açai. Multiple locations on campus sell vitaminwater.
Odwalla used to sell a drink called the Superfood Amazing Purple, which contained açai, but this particular drink is not sold anymore. However, the Original Superfood Odwalla drink does not contain açai.
Odwalla spokesperson Lauren Thompson said in an e-mail, “Odwalla does not currently use açai as an ingredient in any of its products.”
The University sells the original Odwalla Superfood but never sold the Amazing Purple edition, Food Services Director and Associate Director of University Housing Tom Driscoll said in an e-mail.
Recently, a U.S. district court ordered Internet marketers of açai berry supplements to halt their sales at the request of the Federal Trade Commission.
These Internet marketers allegedly scammed consumers out of $30 million or more in 2009 with deceptive advertising and unfair billing practices. The FTC is going to seek a permanent prohibition, according to an Aug. 16 press release.
The FTC recently charged Central Coast Nutraceuticals, Inc., the company that sells AçaiPure, and four related health and wellness companies with multiple violations, including deceptively advertising açai berry supplements, as weight-loss product, according to the FTC press release.  AçaiPure used commercials with Oprah Winfrey and Rachel Ray without their permission.
In January 2009, the Better Business Bureau told consumers to be cautious of advertisements that offered free açai berry trials. Customers were often charged extra for a supposed free trial. One bottle of Açai Pure costs $199.95.
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