Nature's Best Acai

Nature’s Best Acai is touted all over the Internet as a super supplement that brings a whole host of health benefits. Are the ads truth or hype? Here are the claims and the evidence to help you decide whether this product is worth the investment.

The acai berry is the fruit from the acai palm. Acai palm trees grow in the rainforests of Brazil. The berry is a small, dark purple berry that is smaller than a grape. About 90% of the berry is seed, covered by a small amount of pulp. The seeds are inedible.

Acai has recently risen to media prominence because of two doctors, Dr. Perricone and Dr. Oz. Both have touted the acai berry as a superfood because it is rich in antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids. According to some reports, acai berries have ten times the amount of naturally occurring antioxidants as blueberries.

According to the company website, this acai product has the following features and benefits:

• The acai berry has weight loss properties that improve health.
• Acai promotes lowered cholesterol.
• Your body will burn fat more efficiently.
• Your body will process food more effectively.
• You will have more energy.
• It will detoxify your body.
• It will speed up your metabolism.
• Acai will relieve stress and enhance mood.
• Acai berries are high in antioxidants.
• Acai berries contain essential fatty acids, amino acids and phytosterols.

The above are some pretty remarkable claims for a little berry. The FDA has not approved the claims made by the company. Not only that, but ABC news has reported, “the growing problem of questionable acai sales on the Internet has reached proportions never before seen by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, according to David Schardt, senior nutritionist for the center.”

The Better Business Bureau warns that many of the claims made by acai marketed on the Internet, including Nature’s Best Acai are luring in customers with a free trial on which it is extremely difficult to cancel automatic delivery, leading to monthly charges that consumers can’t seem to stop. This is evidenced by a number of complaints on ComplaintsBoard.com.

The well-known supplement company, Nature’s Best, includes a disclaimer on their website avowing that they are in now way affiliated with Nature’s Best Acai. All of this seems to point to the fact that most Internet Acai products are, indeed making claims that are too good to be true.

The Internet can be a great source of information. It can also be used to mislead consumers. You will likely find many “reviews” of this acai product that rave about the amazing health and weight loss benefits gained. The Internet is “seeded” with such reviews by the nutritional product companies. Most of the reviews that you will find are not legitimate reviews. They are written by copywriters who have optimized the “testimonials” and “reviews” by inserting search engine-friendly keywords. Typically with products such as these, the first several pages of Google results are predominantly these company-generated testimonials and reviews. This makes it difficult to discover the truth about the product you are researching.

The acai berry is, indeed, a healthful food. Its nutrient profile of phytochemicals, antioxidants, essential fatty acids and amino acids can certainly be a healthy addition to your diet.

Acai is available in numerous forms that don’t involve getting stuck with a monthly repeat order that may be difficult to cancel. Most grocery stores now sell acai juice, and in some cases, you may be able to find frozen acai pulp. The juice and pulp are delicious and in small amounts affordable.

The bottom line is this: acai can be part of a healthful diet. There is no evidence, however, that it will make you lose weight, give you more energy and do your laundry, as many acai supplement companies claim. To gain these health benefits, you will need to adopt the tried and true lifestyle that involves a healthy diet, adequate exercise and sleep, and supplementation if necessary. Taking this acai product probably won’t hurt anything but your wallet; however, before believing the fantastic claims of any product that has become a media darling, do your homework instead of wasting your money.

• Amino Acids Affecting Hair
• Foods Containing Vitamin K
• Facts About Iron

• Vitamin B12 Injections Side Effects
• Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms
• Vitamin D Overdose
• Foods High in Vitamin K
• Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms