Do Acai Berries Really Help with Weight Loss?

Undoubtedly the fruit of the moment, acai berries have taken the world by storm. 

Possessing a huge amount of alleged health benefits — and part of many superfood dishes — acai berries or acai powder has now become one of the most Instagrammable ingredients ever. 

Commonly associated with helping accelerate weight loss, acai berries are considered a real nutritional powerhouse. 

But are all these health benefits legit? 

Unfortunately, there are a number of misconceptions and myths when it comes to this superfood fruit — and it’s important you’re fully aware of what’s actually true before you introduce acai berries powder into your diet.

So, let’s start separating acai berry fact, from acai berry fiction...

1. Do acai berries help speed-up weight loss?

Whilst this is one of the most common statements associated with acai berries, there’s actually very little scientific evidence to back it up.

Truth is, no single food will miraculously boost your weight loss rate.

If you’re truly serious about dropping the pounds and becoming a little healthier, a well-rounded diet — combined with regular exercise — is the key. Sadly, there’s no magic ingredient that can do the hard work for you… not even acai berries!

That being said, there’s plenty of super healthy food combinations out there to help burn fat. What’s more, these yummy combos can also aid weight loss when eaten as part of a balanced diet. 

So, provided you’re living a healthy lifestyle overall, chucking a few acai berries into your brekkie certainly isn’t a bad idea.

But relying solely on acai powder to help you lose weight? You’d just be following false claims with mythical roots! 

By itself with no other healthy lifestyle changes put in place, acai berries are ‘just another fruit’. 

2. Acai berries could reduce the risk of heart disease & cancer

Whilst this is an incredibly bold claim and should be approached with caution, there is actually some evidence to support it.

Acai berries are packed full of antioxidants (such as anthocyanins responsible for their deep purple colour), making them an incredibly nutritious addition to your diet. 

In particular, these antioxidants have been found to help protect healthy cells from being damaged by harmful molecules known as ‘free radicals’. This shield potential could help reduce the risk of cancer-causing mutations developing, as well as creating the right environment for optimum heart health.

Not bad for a tiny berry!

3. Acai berries can help keep your skin clear and glowing

Those nasty free radicals we just talked about can also play a role in causing skin damage, spots and blemishes. 

So is it possible that acai berry powder can help us out here too?

Researchers seem to say ‘yes’! 

Due to acai’s ability to fight such free radicals, regular consumption could help heal blemishes and keep your skin looking healthier all over. 

One study in particular found that acai berries could help heal skin wounds, whilst other research projects have found that the berry family contains anthocyanins, effective in boosting levels of collagen and elastin. And if you want your skin to look plump and youthful, that’s what you need! 

So whilst the effects of acai berries on skin require much more research to draw concrete conclusions, there’s definitely encouraging evidence found so far. 

4. Acai berries can help speed-up metabolism

Whilst it would be great to think that chomping on a few acai berries could instantly boost our body’s ability to burn calories, this is simply superfood fiction.

There’s currently no concrete connection between metabolism rate and acai berry consumption, meaning this statement definitely shouldn’t be taken too seriously. 

Again, there’s no magical ingredient that can provide such powerful benefits regarding metabolism and weight loss — even those hailed as life-changing superfoods all over Insta! 

But all is not lost. If speeding-up your metabolism is a goal you’d like to achieve, then HIIT workouts are a great method of doing so. 

Definitely not for the faint-hearted and specifically designed to make you sweat, the concept of HIIT gives your body the power to continue burning calories at a faster rate even after you’ve finished exercising. And when paired with a healthy diet ( acai berries included!), you’ll be well on your way to improving your metabolism and sculpting your dream body — without relying on myths. 

5. Acai berries are incredibly nutritious and perfect for a low carb diet

As with virtually any fruit, the nutritional density of acai berries is very impressive.

A great inclusion to any daily diet, the fact that acai berries are hailed for their nutritional benefits is certainly no myth!

Better still, acai berries have been found to have slightly different nutritional value to many other fruits. Typically containing a higher concentration of fat and considerably low sugars, acai berries are ideal if you’re looking to follow a low carb diet. 

So, how do you get more acai berries or acai berry powder in your daily life?

Typically described as being tart in taste, you can safely eat acai berries in their raw form. 

However, acai berry powder is an incredibly convenient alternative and can be easily included as an ingredient of protein shakes, regular smoothies and plenty of other dishes as part of a balanced diet. 

And whilst very few risks have been found associated with this fruit, it’s typically recommended not to consume them if pregnant or breastfeeding as little research has been done regarding their safety during this time.

Now you know the real truth behind the ever-popular acai berry, you have all you need to successfully debunk any acai myths that come your way! Undoubtedly worthy of their superfood status — thanks to their high concentrations of antioxidants and nutritional value — acai berries or acai powder are both brilliant additions to an otherwise balanced diet. 

Hungry for more healthy diet tips and tricks? Then head over to the blog and read our guide on whether caffeine really can power your workout. Even better, take a look at our list of delish recipes, from protein balls to guilt-free desserts — we’ve got your back!