Side Effects of the Acai Berry Detox
Acai Berry Detox is a brand-name supplement used for weight loss and colon cleansing. It claims to burn fat and act as an appetite suppressant. The phrase Acai Berry Detox is a catchall term for one purported benefit of acai berry supplements and the acai berry diet.
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Facts
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The purpose of the acai berry detox is to cleanse and detoxify the body. Acai berry supplements supposedly help flush out toxins and free radicals more quickly while assisting in eliminating accumulated fat particles.
Positive Side Effects of Acai Berry Detox
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As long as the acai berry is consumed in its raw form, there are some benefits. Acai berries contain antioxidants. According to the International Food Information Council, antioxidants are "healthful components of food. Oxidation, or the loss of an electron, can sometimes produce reactive substances known as free radicals that can cause oxidative stress or damage to the cells. Antioxidants, by their very nature, are capable of stabilizing free radicals before they can react and cause harm, in much the same way that a buffer stabilizes an acid to maintain a normal pH. Because oxidation is a naturally occurring process within the body, a balance with antioxidants must exist to maintain health." However, the acai berry contains lower amounts of antioxidants than blueberries, blackberries or Concord grapes, and fewer antioxidants than can be found in red wine.
Acai berries also contain fiber. Fiber helps flush out the body and keep things moving. While this is not a cleansing function, fiber helps keep the body regular.
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Negative Side Effects of Acai Berry Detox
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If you are taking an acai supplement, the issue of negative side effects comes from the additional ingredients in the product. Sometimes acai products contain caffeine. The benefit of caffeine is it increases energy. The downside is caffeine is addictive. If you were to stop cold turkey, you would most likely experience headaches and other withdraw symptoms. Additionally, caffeine can cause jitters, sleep disturbances and even heart palpitations if you consume too much.
Some acai supplements contain Chinese herbs, which can cause a severe laxative effect. If taken over a long period, these can cause severe damage. Additionally, if taken incorrectly, or by people who have other problems, these ingredients can cause diarrhea.
According to WebMD, people with pollen allergies may be sensitive to açaí products. Similarly, if you have berry allergies, you will want to be careful when trying the acai berry.
Warnings
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Some acai products contain stimulant laxative ingredients. These ingredients include senna leaf and sagrada bark. Senna leaf not only produces a strong laxative effect, but it is also addictive, meaning you will need more of it over time to produce the same effects. There is also the possibility that after long-term use, you will not be able to have a bowel movement without the aid of senna leaf and sagrada bark.
Future Research
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While preliminary studies have shown that the acai berry does have an impact on leukemia and other cancer cells, this research is not extensive and does not necessarily conform to traditional valid research practices. Further scientific research is needed to determine the true healing properties of the acai berry.
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References
- International Food Information Council
- Seeram NP, Aviram M, Zhang Y, et al. (Feb 2008). "Comparison of antioxidant potency of commonly consumed polyphenol-rich beverages in the United States". J Agric Food Chem. 56 (4): 1415--22
- Schauss AG, Wu X, Prior RL, Ou B, Patel D, Huang D, Kababick JP (2006). "Phytochemical and nutrient composition of the freeze-dried Amazonian palmberry, Euterpe oleraceae Mart. (açaí)". J Agric Food Chem 54 (22): 8598--603
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