When the media buzzed about juice from a purple berry called acai that could help keep me young, stave off cancer and a host of other health benefits, I was naturally intrigued. What could be easier than drinking juice? Of course I wanted to try it…until I saw the price tag.
Ringing through the register at much more than apple juice or orange juice, I couldn’t help but wonder just how much better this super fruit could be. As we have mentioned on Ecollo before, the berry is being touted as a superfood, loaded with antioxidants. But how much better, is still up for debate.
The FDA hasn’t yet tested Acai and the research that has been done has mostly been financed by the manufacturers. One of the processors of Acai (along with a combination of other fruits) is Mona Vie. Luxuriously packaged in a glass bottle, much like wine (and priced comparatively to a good wine too), Mona Vie distributors claim a host of benefits for their miracle juice, like ten times the antioxidants of blueberries to fight whatever ails you. The hype, and its multi-level marketing plan, has made it the fastest growing food processor in the United States1.
A backlash and reprimands by the FDA has resulted in the manufacturers toning down their statements. On Sambazon’s website, their Acai juice claims a more reasonable, twice the antioxidants as blueberries and rich in omegas 3-6-9. They are probably half right. While the fruit does have a good combination of omega fats, the quantity is minimal and you would have to eat buckets to get your daily requirements of omega 3s. As for the antioxidant level, there is no denying it has high numbers but tests so far have compared fresh blueberries against the more concentrated, powdered form of acai’s.
Since the fruits are high in fats it is susceptible to rancidity and therefore too perishable to transport fresh to North America. The berry is freeze dried and shipped in powder form to processors in the United States from the rainforests and wetlands of Central and South America. For the truest comparison of antioxidants, we would need to test fresh acai.
Antioxidants are measured by their ORAC scores (oxygen radical absorbance capacity), which is an indicator of how well a certain amount of a food neutralizes free radicals – those pesky instigators of cancers and degenerative diseases. Manufacturers of superfruit juices use these numbers to tout the health benefits of their juices2.
Blueberries, pomegranates, and strawberries have all tested with high ORAC levels but by some studies, Acai is much higher. However, not all antioxidants are created equal. There are many different types and depending on the particular lab test, can have different effects on our cells. Anthcycanins for instance, come from reddish purple fruits (like acai or grapes) are produced as a self-protection from the sun and irradiation. When eaten they provide some of the same benefits to us. Goji berries on the other hand seem to show benefits for brain, heart and eye health. Mangosteen has high levels of xanthones, another antioxidant that may have tumor-fighting effects. So ORAC scores alone can’t tell the whole story.
The health claims and research results on the many acai and other fruit websites have only been found in lab tests thus far and have not been tested in humans. It will take years before such tests can confirm or deny these fruits cancer fighting or anti-degenerative properties.
Interestingly, most of the so-called superfruits like goji, or mangosteen come from exotic locales. Goji, also called wolfberry, has been used medicinally in China for hundreds of years. Mangosteen comes from Indonesia and the noni fruit comes from Southeast Asia. While these fruits are part of the diets in their native lands, transportation of the fresh fruit can be a problem.
The most researched fruit is the closer-to-home pomegranate. Originally from Asia, the pomegranate is now grown over many parts of the world including California. Human trials are underway testing pomegranates for it’s potential prostate cancer and heart disease fighting ability. Lab trials have shown encouraging results for breast cancer, anti viral and anti bacterial effects which have triggered more trials3. Cranberries also have been extensively tested since the 1980s, which has validated them for anti-bacterial urinary tract and other health benefits.
The less exotic, locally grown apple, orange and grapefruit are hardly ever referred to as superfruits but that may be due more to lack of over zealous marketing. New research suggests that polyphenols in apple juice may protect the brain from memory problems and potentially Alzheimer’s4. Grapefruit juice is being looked at more closely for its ability to aid in insulin regulation and metabolic disorders. Orange juice is a good source of folate and potassium and has anti-inflammatory benefits. All that and close to home. Plus there are benefits in eating the fresh fruit, full of enzymes and fiber that we can’t get with a processed juice.
With new research only starting to reveal the healthy advantages to some of our more common fruits, it doesn’t seem unreasonable to assume that acai and other exotic fruits will be found to benefit us in equally healthy ways. The attention the superfruits are getting in the marketplace can only encourage more research and that is a good thing.
I'm still intrigued and will be trying the new juices. I just won't be giving up on the locally grown fruits either. Variety is the spice of life it seems. Not limiting yourself to one type of fruit is the best way to receive the array of antioxidants offered from nature’s pharmacy.
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