Acai berry has antioxidant properties and is a staple of the traditional Brazilian diet. In recent years, supplements and beverages containing acai have become popular in the U.S. due to extensive marketing as a “superfruit.”
Concerned that products might contain unwanted ingredients, ConsumerLab.com recently purchased a half-dozen acai products and tested them for heavy metals, chlorinated pesticides, caffeine and undeclared stimulants.
Tests showed that all of the selected products and six other acai supplements evaluated through ConsumerLab.com’s Voluntary Certification Program met quality criteria for the tested contaminants. However, one acai “cleansing support” supplement lacked a required warning concerning potent laxative ingredients. Another with an unspecified amount of caffeine provided more than 100 mg of the stimulant per day. Acai formulas with caffeine or laxatives are often promoted for weight loss or cleansing purposes.
According to Nutrition Business Journal, Boulder, CO, total U.S. sales of acai reached $30 million in 2007, jumping 86% from 2006. SPINScan reported 121% additional growth in sales during 2008 in the health and natural food stores. Acai has been touted for reducing the risk of heart attack, Alzheimer’s disease and cancers, although clinical studies have not been performed to support these benefits. Some companies selling acai products have also been accused of unethical billing and/or advertising practices.
“Acai itself has no proven benefit as a weight loss, ‘cleansing,’ or ‘detox’ supplement,” said Dr. William Obermeyer, ConsumerLab.com vice president of research. “Products marketed as such may contain other ingredients, such as powerful stimulant laxatives including cascara sagrada bark and senna leaf, which can be dangerous if used long-term.”