The Truth about Acai

Some years ago, as one of the few doctors practicing preventive medicine, I was approached by a marketer for the Acai berry.  This Brazilian fruit was reputed to have very high antioxidant scores.  Before accepting a generous participation in the product, I did some research that revealed that anthropologists could not identify a Brazilian tribe who consumed it and had remarkable health or longevity.  In addition, the antioxidant test was tweaked by freeze-drying the berry and grinding it into a powder. Powder has an increased surface area and will give a better antioxidant score.  Lastly, the agricultural college in central Brazil had tested the berry for antioxidant properties in the form in which it was most popularly consumed – a mash.  In their test both strawberry and blueberry mash scored higher in antioxidant tests. I declined their offer.