Green Daily

Acai fruit products are everywhere, promising detoxification, anti-aging and the holy grail of supplement claims, weight loss. You've no doubt been inundated with ads for acai products, especially if you spend any time on the internets.

However, like many supplements, there is little evidence to back up many manufacturers' claims for acai, according to an article in the New York Times. While the acai berry does contain antioxidants, there are no solid studies showing specific anti-aging, weight or detox benefits. Even Oprah has had to put a disclaimer on her website, stating that she does not endorse any acai berry products, due to peripheral connections via her buddy Dr. Mehmet Oz. One researcher who performed a study on acai admitted that while the berry has good antioxidant levels, more studies are needed to back up other claims.

Since acai is probably just another berry, which is not a bad thing, you'll want to be aware of any possible hyped-up health claims. On the positive side, acai berry harvesting can provide a good source of income to farmers in the Amazon rainforest. For example, Sambazon (Saving and Managing the Brazilian Amazon), buys organic acai from 1,500 local families for use in their products, according to the Nature Conservancy. This helps provide a sustainable source of income for the farmers, while helping to preserve the forest.