Acai (pronounced a-sigh-EE) is a berry came into the collective consciousness of many dieters in recent years. Supporters of the fruit, which is native to Brazil, contend that this so-called "super food" can help dieters lose weight quickly and combating a number of ailments.
But according to the independent Centre for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), acai is more beneficial to you than produce you find in your local supermarket. CSPI Johnny Bowden has recently addressed the issue of acai in a CNN interview:
"Almost all berries - blueberry, strawberry, goji, acai - are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant rich "said Bowden. "This is particularly exotic. It is located in Brazil. It was marketed for more than a magic ingredient. It has been over hyped and marketed to death. There are claims to cure cancer, cure baldness is everywhere. "
The claims and marketing tactics used by Acai promoters were so bizarre that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently started a practice review of most promotional companies these products.
The truth is that there is little or no explicit clinical research showing that acai is more beneficial than any number of other fruits with similar antioxidant properties. So while acai can be considered part of a whole regiment of diet, it is far from a magic bullet for weight loss.
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