Acai and Weight Loss

You may have heard about the power of acai berries and the effects they can have on weight loss. But is it for real or is it just hype? Discover the truth on it and why acai can help with your weight loss efforts.

So what are acai berries (pronounced a-sigh-EE) and where do they come from? They are a small purple/black berry that originated in the Amazon rainforest and are now harvested in Brazil. They fall into the ‘Super Food’ category, a food that produces an abundance of energy and health benefits. These benefits can be gained from the consumption of the acai berry itself or acai berry extract.

These small powerhouses contain a very powerful antioxidant, which is believed to help prolong life and keep blood pressure under control as well as producing many other health benefits. Studies have shown them to contain up to 33 times the antioxidant properties as red wine grapes.

Acai has two essential fatty acids known as omega 6 (linoleic acid) and omega 9 (oleic acid). Research shows that both omega 6 and omega 9 fatty acids help maintain HDL cholesterol levels. Besides the health benefits, what about weight loss? It can help to boost stamina and energy levels, which are both needed during exercise to assist in a weight loss program. They also contain high levels of fiber, which helps with digestion and cleansing of the digestive tract. Most people do not take in enough fiber. Especially during periods of dieting to lose weight, this extra fiber becomes extremely important.

The lack of fiber can cause bloating and undigested food to become lodged in the small intestines. The fiber in acai berries can help to cleanse the extra stuck food out of the digestive system thus causing a more efficiently operating digestive tract and weight loss. Just think if there was 5-10 pounds of undigested food stuck in your small intestines and you cleaned this out, you would be 5-10 pounds lighter. This may happen in the first few days of consuming acai and your weight loss efforts could be jump-started.

Acai can be found in different forms such as berries, pills, capsules, liquid and powdered forms. What are the possible side effects or precautions when using acai? It is always best to check with your doctor before undertaking any weight loss program or taking any kind of herb or supplement especially if you are taking medications.

If you are currently taking monamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) or angiotensis converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, you may not be able to take an acai product. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), high blood pressure, thyroid disease/Graves’s disease, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, you should consult with your doctor before taking it. Women who are pregnant or nursing should check with their physician first.

It is well worth looking into adding acai into your weight loss regimen.