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Background
- The purple fruit of the acai palm tree has long been an important food source for indigenous peoples of the Amazon region.
- Acai products have become popular in the United States, where they have been promoted for weight-loss and anti-aging purposes.
How Much Do We Know?
- Very little research has been done in people on the health effects of acai products.
What Have We Learned?
- There’s no definitive scientific evidence based on studies in people to support the use of acai for any health-related purpose.
- No independent studies have been published in peer-reviewed journals that substantiate claims that acai alone promotes rapid weight loss.
- A preliminary study suggested that eating acai fruit pulp might reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels in people who are overweight.
What Do We Know About Safety?
- Acai pulp appears to be safe when consumed in the amounts commonly used in foods; however, drinking unprocessed acai juice has been linked to an illness called Chagas disease or American trypanosomiasis, which is caused by a parasite.
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