What are the health benefits of acai berries?

by Natalie Butler, RD, LD

Acai (ah-sigh-EE) berries are a grape-like fruit native to the rainforests of South America. They are harvested from acai palm trees.

The fruits are about 1 to 2 centimeters (cm) in diameter and a deep purple color. The seed constitutes about 80 percent of the fruit. The taste of acai berries has been described as a blend of chocolate and berries, with a slight metallic aftertaste.

Acai berries have been called a superfood, with benefits ranging from improved skin appearance to weight loss, but not all of these claims are supported by evidence.

This feature is part of a collection of articles on the health benefits of some popular foods. It looks at the nutritional breakdown of acai berries, its possible health benefits, how to get more acai berries into your diet, and the possible health risks of consuming acai berries.