Due to the high fat content, Acai berries go rancid within a day of being picked. This means it is not feasible for Acai berries to be exported to the US (and other countries) because they would go bad before they ever reached our fruit markets.

Since acai berries are grown so far away, fresh ones are rarely available in India. Instead, freeze-dried powders or purees are often used to create the base of the bowl.

The acai (ah-sigh-EE) berry is a grapelike fruit harvested from acai palm trees, which are native to the rainforests of South America. Like other berries, acai berries contain antioxidants and fiber.

In the Amazon rainforest, acai berries frequently accompany meals. To make them edible, they are soaked to soften the tough outer skin and then mashed to form a dark purple paste. They have an earthy taste that’s often described as a cross between blackberries and unsweetened chocolate.

When taken by mouth: Acai pulp is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth and appropriately, short-term for up to 3 months. Side effects of using acai have not been reported. But drinking raw acai juice has been linked to outbreaks of a disease called American trypanosomiasis or Chagas Disease.

Acai is expensive since the berries have to be freeze dried within 24 hours to keep their nutritional profile intact. Freeze drying preserves the goodness of Acai berries found in the skin and pulp and not in the juice.

Acai bowls — especially those that are commercially prepared — are high in calories and sugar, which could contribute to weight gain and health issues like liver problems, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.

Acai berries are one of the best sources of antioxidant polyphenols and may contain as much as 10 times more antioxidants than blueberries ( 44 ). When consumed as a juice or pulp, acai berries can increase blood antioxidant levels and reduce chemicals involved in oxidative stress ( 45 , 46 ).

It turns out that açaí is actually a dark purple-blue berry found on Açaí palms in South American rain forests. With the process of harvesting, processing, and shipping, it’s no wonder why it’s so pricey. This also explains why purchasing frozen açaí is significantly cheaper and more available than other varieties.

Eating the berry daily will make you feel better and livelier because your blood is moving the way it’s supposed to. Acai berries are full of good-for-you nutrients. You can eat them frozen, in supplements, in smoothies, freeze dried, as part of larger recipes, or as an extract.

The acai berry is a good source of fiber, antioxidants, and heart-healthy fats. “Antioxidants strengthen our immune system and protect against cancers,” Gans says. For that reason, berries should be part of a healthy diet.

Because of its unique compounds, acai berries can increase your overall energy and stamina. Feeling sleepy? Snack on a handful of these berries and you will be ready to go in no time.

The fatty acids in acai berries promote collagen production, leaving skin glowing. Combine that with their levels of copper, which hydrates and firms the skin, and acai berries seem to be a great ingredient to incorporate no matter your skin type. Aside from skincare, acai is fabulous for our bodies too.

With regards to liver disease, one study using rats has examined the use of the acai berries as a protective factor against fatty liver disease [9]. This study compared high-cholesterol diets in rats, with those on the same diet but also given acai berries.

Açai consumption may be a nutritional therapeutic strategy for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients since these patients present with oxidative stress, inflammation, and dysbiosis.

Acai berries are rich in fatty acids, especially oleic, palmitic, and linoleic acids. Although acai berries contain very little total protein, they do contain 19 amino acids, as well as several sterols, including campesterol, stigmasterol, and beta-sitosterol.