Acai Berry Research

There are many sources of acai berry research, but for the average person, it's difficult to sort through the many reports, websites, news stories and the like to find reputable research. Some research points to certain health benefits of acai berries, while other research says the opposite. Here's how to sort through all the acai berry research and determine for yourself whether or not this berry is a potent anti-aging tool or a big hoax.

Laboratory research yields insight into health benefits of acai.

Acai berries are purple-red fruits grown on the South American acai tree. Enjoyed by local people for hundreds of years, the berries gained international fame when prominent celebrity doctors recommended acai for its reputed anti-aging qualities.

The berries are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, but they don't transport well, so most people in North America wishing to consume acai berries must take them as supplements or enjoy frozen, dried or juiced forms of the berry.

If you're seeking acai berry research on your own, here are some tips to help you determine whether or not a research study should be considered.

When you search online and find acai berry research, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is this website dedicated to science or health news, or selling supplements? A site dedicate to health news is more likely to publish unbiased, reputable research. A supplement seller may only publish findings about benefits to sell more products. Look carefully at the source of the information. Government, hospital, and non profit research councils usually provide better information than supplement manufacturers.
• Who funded the study? Even studies published on reputable websites may be of questionable value if they were funded by an acai berry grower, supplement maker, or someone with a vested interested in publishing good news about acai berries. Follow the funding and you can often make a good judgment about the validity of the research.
• Ask yourself: does this research make sense? Some research just seems too good to be true, and if an article or study strikes you as too good to be true, it probably is.

If doing your own research isn't your thing, the following studies and websites may yield the information you're looking for on the benefits and drawbacks of acai berries.

Several studies indicate that acai berries hold promise as a healing fruit.

Researchers at the University of Florida were one of the first groups in the United States to study the acai berry. The study examined extracts from the acai berry and their effects on various cancers. Effects were noted on types of leukemia cells. The researchers were quick to point out that there's a big difference between how extracts act in a Petri dish or test tube and how they act in the human body, but the results are intriguing, and the university continues its acai berry studies.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital provides thorough research citations on their overview of the acai berry. Coming from this well known source of medical information, the studies should be of good quality. According to their research summary, acai demonstrates some ability in laboratory studies to scavenge free radicals. Beyond that, no dramatic claims have been backed up by science, or at least are not reported on their website.

The major findings from acai berry research demonstrate that in laboratory experiments, chemicals and compounds in the acai berry scavenge free radicals. Other research demonstrates that acai berry is absorbed by the human body. Beyond that, the actual effectiveness of the acai berry needs to be studied further. Scientists speculate that compounds to fight cancer may be extracted from the berry, but whether it can cure cancer, stave off aging or fight degenerative disease is anyone's guess. In the meantime, if you enjoy the taste of the acai berry, drink up – there are few side effects, and it might do some good.

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