According to a recent University of California study, pomegranate, concord grape, blueberry and black cherry juice all had higher concentrations of antioxidants than acai berry juice – as did red wine!
So treat yourself to a small glass of Pom, or munch on a handful of berries. After all, whole fruit offers more fibre and can help you fill up between meals.
Claim #4: Oprah and Rachel Ray swear by acai berry products.
Verdict: Myth
Here's why: One of Oprah's guests once said acai berries are healthy. Period. Unsavoury acai berry marketers and Internet scammers inflated this innocuous claim into an endorsement of their products. Rachel Ray is another fan favourite whom scam artists use to "endorse" their products.
Press releases issued by Winfrey and Ray on their websites clarify that neither endorse or support claims by any acai berry product manufacturers.
Claim #5: There's no harm in just giving acai a try.
Verdict: It depends
Here's why: No, there isn't any proof that acai is bad for your health. But it could hurt your pocketbook.
Both the Better Business Bureau and the Center For Science in the Public Interest (a non-profit health advocacy group) have identified a number of acai berry scams that should have you running for the hills (in a pair of well-cushioned cross-trainers).
"Free trial offers" that sound too good to be true usually are, as thousands of bilked consumers have discovered.
Bottom line
Acai berries won't help you lose weight – unless you chase that acai smoothie with daily fitness and moderate caloric restriction.
For more food for thought, read How to spot diet scams.
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