Acai Goodness?

March, 2009

by Morella Devost

Is Acai really the miracle food many are claiming?

Acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) has received a lot of press lately, especially after being featured on Oprah as her #1 superfood. Acai products are now flooding the market, promoted as a healing food for a variety of health issues and as a wonder weight-loss formula.

It is very tempting to jump on the bandwagon of a miracle food because it offers the promise of resolving our health concerns without us having to change anything. But let's be clear that humans have been chasing miracle elixirs for eons, and this may just be the latest example.

It is worthwhile though to learn what is good about acai and whether you can get those benefits elsewhere.

What has made acai into an instant celebrity is that it is a very potent antioxidant, surpassing blueberries and grapes. The strength of an antioxidant is measured by its ORAC value (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity). The ORAC value of acai powder is about 160,000 for 100gr of powder, compared to 6,550 for 100gr of fresh blueberries. The difference seems huge!

However, a typical acai supplement is only about 1gr, so the antioxidant strength is only about 1,600 ORAC units. If you use a tablespoon of acai powder in your smoothies then you might be up to 4,000 ORAC units or so. Now compare that to ½ cup of blueberries with about 3,000 ORAC units and the difference isn't that great anymore. In a nutshell, Acai is indeed a wonderful antioxidant but mostly because its concentrated powder form gives you a very convenient quick boost of your antioxidants.

Antioxidants are important because most of the degenerative diseases and symptoms of aging are caused by oxidative stress in our bodies. But before you go shopping for expensive antioxidants supplements consider that you'll be better off eating more organic fresh fruit and veggies instead. Here are a few reasons why:

Different antioxidants will have an effect on different free radicals, so you need a variety of them.
Research shows that the benefits of antioxidants from foods are far greater than when you take the isolated antioxidant (i.e. eating an orange vs. taking a vitamin C tablet).
Research is also showing that nutrients and phytochemicals tend to be greater in organically grown foods vs. conventionally grown foods.
ORAC measurements of a food vary greatly from one batch to the next. So you may not actually be getting what a product claims to provide.
Finally, some antioxidant supplements if taken in excess can actually increase oxidation.

Now, if you want to supplement your antioxidants, acai is indeed a wonderful choice because it is not an isolated antioxidant but the powder of freeze-dried berries. In choosing an acai product you should consider the following:

Be careful not to fall for internet scams offering free acai trials. You might find yourself trying to stop your card from being charged.
Many acai products have added sugars or other juices. Get pure acai powder or acai juice concentrate.
Acai is a fruit from the Amazon, so please look for brands that are grown with respect for the environment and fostering fair trade. Sambazon products are a good choice in that regard.
Avoid products making "magical elixir" claims and again, don't fall for internet scams. Remember that people who write health claims on food products want you to buy that product.
Consider using acai only while your local antioxidant-rich foods are out of season. Otherwise eat tons of local, organic blueberries, tomatoes, cherries, red grapes, pomegranates, wolfberries/goji berries, etc., when seasonal in your area.

Top ten antioxidant foods:

Hint: deep colors in nature offer more benefits than we understand. The potency of antioxidants is linked with deep blues, purples, reds, oranges, yellows and greens. Spices also have a very powerful antioxidant effect (clove, cinnamon, oregano, turmeric, cumin, etc.) they are not included in the list because we typically only consume very small amounts.

Acai powder (unsweetened)
Cocoa powder (unsweetened)
Goji berries (dehydrated)
Walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios
Cranberries (unsweetened)
Artichokes
Kidney, black, pinto beans & lentils
Prunes & plums
Blackberries
Cilantro