by Anonymouse

Created on: October 08, 2009   Last Updated: November 02, 2009

Native to South American flood plains and swamps, the acai berry has become a major export from Brazil's Amazon Basin. Proponents of acai have dubbed it a "super-food'"and a "miracle berry." Now controversy rages over whether acai is a genuine miracle berry or a tool for mass scamming. While both opponents and supporters of the berry make valid points with their arguments, the truth about acai is still unclear to countless people.

What is Acai?

Acai berries grow on palm trees in clusters of about 800. Though 90% of the acai berry is inedible seed, the pulp around that seed is rich in antioxidants with a surprisingly chocolaty aftertaste. Unfortunately, acai berries are extremely perishable. They spoil within 24 hours of being picked! Unless you happen to live in the Amazon, eating acai berries fresh isn't an option. They have to be preserved and turned into powder. Some preservation methods destroy the nutritional value of the acai berry, while others do a great job of keeping it intact.

Preparation Methods

Acai berries can be dried three different ways. Using the spray-drying method, acai berries are mixed with cheap maltodextrin and vaporized at exceedingly high temperatures. Drum-drying involves laying film made from the berries on a heated drum, then waiting for it to turn solid once more before scraping it off. The extreme heat used during these two processes ruins the nutritional value of acai. The third and most favorable option is freeze-drying. It's the most expensive and time-consuming way to preserve acai berries, but it allows them to retain their high nutritional value. Only organic freeze-dried acai berry products are worth the investment.

Health Benefits

Acai berries are rich in antioxidants that counteract free radicals, which normally attack healthy cells in your body. They're also high in fiber and omega fatty acids. Acai berry supplements even help regulate your digestive system and make you feel healthier. However, there is absolutely no substantiated proof that acai promotes weight loss. Many internet ads claim that acai suppresses appetite and leads to major weight loss. One especially popular ad shows a woman who lost "30 pounds in 30 days," and includes a picture taken from a micro-stock photo website. While acai may be effective as part of a fitness regimen, its effects on the waistline have yet to be proven.

Acai Berry Scams

You don't have to order acai products from businesses you don't trust. Many websites claim you can't get their products anywhere else, even though they're available at neighborhood pharmacies and online drugstores. Most of these scam websites make you accept a free trial when you order. You may not notice, but if you don't cancel that trial membership within a certain period of time, you'll be sent more acai and billed monthly - without the option of getting a refund. When tempted to take advantage of special offers for acai berry products, just be sure to read the fine print.

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