Can acai berries help you lose weight?

Acai berry (ah-sigh-ee) and its supplements are often available these days in supermarkets and they must have caught your attention due to the tall claims they make promising quick weight loss. Though a new trend in India, acai berry created quite a stir in the western world a few years ago with international celebs endorsing it and promoting its very many health benefits. Here’s the truth about acai berry and if it indeed aids in weight loss.

What are acai berries?

Acai berries are grown in Brazil in the Amazon River basin and have a deep purple colour. They taste quite exotic – a combination of berry and chocolate – and are full of antioxidants and phytonutrients (one of the highest content in fruits). They are quite expensive than other berries. Also read 10 superfoods for weight loss.

Health benefits

These berries help fight free radicals in the body which prevents several diseases such as cancer, heart disease, brain dysfunction, etc. The calcium content helps keep the bones strong and prevent blood pressure problems.

Says nutritionist Neha Chandna, ‘Acai berries also have anti-inflammatory properties which reduce the incidence of arthritis. They keep your skin and hair healthy, boost energy and pack in a lot of vitamins and minerals.’

Can acai berries help in losing weight?

Health experts believe that just one ingredient cannot solely help one lose weight. It is a combination of eating right (from all food groups) and burning calories that help achieve measurable results. Even so, acai berry does have a few properties that can accelerate the process. Here are 7 fat-burning foods for weight loss.

Acai berries are rich in fibre content which keep you full for a longer time and hence prevent hunger pangs. In fact, you can even fulfil your daily recommended value of fibre intake by eating acai berries.

They are a rich source of vitamin A, calcium and also contain monounsaturated fats which provide instant energy. This is essential for people on a weight loss diet as along with calories, they lose vital nutrients from the body which can be replenished with acai berries.

Tips to keep in mind

• Acai berries are very expensive as they are not really grown in other parts of the world and have to be imported from their native land. This may pose as a hindrance if you have to include them in your daily diet. Read – eating berries could prevent Parkinson’s disease.
• There are several acai berry supplements available in the market these days. If you opt for them, make sure you check the label before buying. Some of these may contain a lot of preservatives or sugar content. Stay away from such products as they will do more harm than good.
• You can freeze acai berries too as they will stay for a longer time.
• If opting for supplements of acai berry capsules or powder, consume not more than 1000 mg/day.
• Do not eat acai berry if you are allergic to berries as it will have an adverse reaction.

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