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Last verified: 17 days ago

Açai Berry

Also known as: Euterpe oleracea, Euterpe oleracea Mart., acai, açaí

Evidence under review. — Not yet rated

Antioxidant-rich berry with early evidence for reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

  • What it does

    Açai berry is the fruit of a South American palm tree, packed with anthocyanins — natural pigments that act as antioxidants in the body. In one clinical trial, adding 200g of açai pulp daily to a...

  • Evidence quality

    Evidence base hasn't been formally rated yet. See research below.

  • Clinical dose

    No established dose

See full breakdown ↓ Methodology →

What the Science Says

Açai berry is the fruit of a South American palm tree, packed with anthocyanins — natural pigments that act as antioxidants in the body. In one clinical trial, adding 200g of açai pulp daily to a calorie-restricted diet for 60 days reduced a key marker of oxidative stress and lowered IL-6, an inflammatory protein, in overweight adults. A small pharmacokinetic study confirmed that anthocyanins from açai are absorbed into the bloodstream within about 2 hours of consumption, with pulp delivering roughly twice the antioxidant exposure as juice.

What It Doesn't Do

Won't cure or treat prostate cancer — a clinical trial failed its primary endpoint. No proven effect on blood sugar or cholesterol levels. The brain and nerve benefits seen in studies were in mice, not humans — don't count on it for Alzheimer's or Parkinson's prevention. Not a weight loss supplement. The antifungal effects were tested in a lab dish, not in people.

Evidence-Based Benefits

Reduces a key blood marker of oxidative stress in overweight adults when added to a calorie-restricted diet.

Weak Evidence

Effective at: 200g pulp daily for 60 days

Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):

PMID 31307842

Lowers IL-6, an inflammatory marker, in overweight adults with high cholesterol.

Weak Evidence

Effective at: 200g pulp daily for 60 days

Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):

PMID 31307842

Anthocyanins from açai pulp are absorbed into the bloodstream and raise plasma antioxidant capacity within hours.

Weak Evidence

Effective at: 7 mL/kg body weight (acute dose)

Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):

PMID 18693743

Absorption & Bioavailability

Moderate — anthocyanins from açai pulp are absorbed and detectable in plasma within ~2 hours, with pulp showing roughly 2.5x higher AUC than clarified juice. Bioavailability decreases non-linearly at higher doses.

Red Flags to Watch For

  • Most exciting claims (neuroprotection, cancer, antifungal) come from animal or lab studies only — not proven in humans
  • Only one small RCT (n=69) supports antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in humans
  • Prostate cancer trial failed its primary endpoint — PSA response rate was far below the target threshold
  • Over 1,000 registered supplement products exist, but clinical evidence is very limited — marketing far outpaces the science
  • Açai products vary widely in processing and anthocyanin content; juice may deliver significantly less benefit than whole pulp

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Açai Berry do?

Antioxidant-rich berry with early evidence for reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

What is the effective dose of Açai Berry?

No established dose

Is Açai Berry safe?

Most exciting claims (neuroprotection, cancer, antifungal) come from animal or lab studies only — not proven in humans

What doesn't Açai Berry do?

Won't cure or treat prostate cancer — a clinical trial failed its primary endpoint.

Research Sources

  • PubMed
  • NIH DSLD

This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-05-25