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Açaí

Also indexed as:Euterpe oleracea Mart.
Açaí: Main Image© Steven Foster

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Botanical names:
Euterpe oleracea Mart.

Parts Used & Where Grown

Clusters of round, dark purple-to-black, berry-shaped açaí fruits are harvested to make juice, ice pops, and herbal supplements. Ethnobotanists have also documented folk medicine uses for the seed oil, fruit rind, and roots. The inner core of the thin trunk of the açaí tree is well-known as the source of hearts of palm. Açaí is primarily grown in the Pará region of the Amazon estuary, in the northern region of Brazil. It also grows in French Guyana, Panama, Ecuador, and Trinidad.

  • Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
  • Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
  • For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.

Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.

This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:

Used for AmountWhy
Metabolic Syndrome
200 grams of berry pulp daily2 stars[2 stars]
Preliminary evidence suggests acai berry may improve metabolic health.
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Anemia
Refer to label instructions 1 star[1 star]
Açaí, which contains small amounts of iron, has been traditionally used to help treat anemia.
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Dysmenorrhea
Refer to label instructions 1 star[1 star]
Açaí is a traditional remedy for dysmenorrhea, and there is preliminary evidence that some anthocyanins found in açaí may help with dysmenorrhea symptoms.
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Fever
Refer to label instructions 1 star[1 star]
Roasted, crushed açaí seeds, consumed as tea, are a traditional remedy for fever.
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Hepatitis
Refer to label instructions 1 star[1 star]
Açaí root tea has been used as a traditional remedy for hepatitis.
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Type 1 Diabetes
Refer to label instructions 1 star[1 star]
Açaí is rich in antioxidants and has been used traditionally to treat diabetes.
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Type 2 Diabetes
100 grams (about 3 ounces) açai berry pulp or the equivalent daily1 star[1 star]
Preliminary evidence suggests açai may have benefits in type 2 diabetes.
Learn More

Traditional Use (May Not Be Supported by Scientific Studies)

Açaí juice is a major dietary component of Brazilian diets, especially in the Pará region. It is often eaten at breakfast with cassava meal (manioc) or with tapioca and sugar. The açaí fruit is rich in nutrients and is found in many Brazilian prepared foods. The fruit is most popularly used to make juice, but is also found in ice cream, popsicles, and various desserts.

Açaí seeds can be crushed to produce a green oil that has been used as a folk remedy for scrofula (a type of tuberculosis). The roasted, crushed seeds, consumed as tea, are a traditional remedy for fever. Tea made from the root is a folk remedy for jaundice and anemia. Tea made from the grated fruit rind has been used topically as a wash for skin ulcers. Boiled preparations of açaí root have been used traditionally to treat many diseases, including diabetes, hepatitis, malaria, kidney disease, and dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain).

No clinical trials of açaí for the prevention or treatment of any health condition have been published in the medical literature.

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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2024.