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Herb library · Herb · Euterpe oleracea, Euterpe badiocarpa

Acai

The dark purple fruit of an Amazon palm, sold in the United States for weight loss, energy and aging skin. Very little research has been done in people, and there is not enough reliable information to say whether it helps with anything.

Traditional use

The acai palm grows in tropical Central and South America, especially the Brazilian Amazon, where its fruit has long been an important food. Different parts of the plant were used in folk medicine for fever, stomach and skin complaints, and infections. In the United States it has been promoted for athletic performance, high cholesterol, erectile dysfunction, weight loss and aging skin, and the Federal Trade Commission has taken action against companies that marketed acai weight-loss products in allegedly deceptive ways.

What studies show

  • Insufficient

    Weight loss and other uses: there is not enough reliable information to say whether acai helps with any health-related purpose, and no studies in people published in peer-reviewed journals in the last 5 years support the weight-loss claims.

  • Limited· a lab measure, not a health outcome

    Antioxidant measures: laboratory studies suggest antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and several small studies found acai pulp improved antioxidant measures in people. That is a lab marker, not a demonstrated health benefit.

Be careful of

Cautions

  • NoteAcai pulp has been used safely for up to 3 months in research, but little research has been done on its safety.
  • NoteRaw acai fruit and juice can be contaminated with parasites. In rare cases, drinking raw acai juice has been linked to outbreaks of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis).
  • InteractionPreliminary research found acai may raise or lower fasting blood sugar, so it could interfere with diabetes medicines. If you use acai and have an MRI of the digestive tract scheduled, tell your clinician: it might affect the results.
  • PregnancyLittle is known about whether acai is safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
  • Ask a clinicianTalk with a clinician or pharmacist before using this if you take prescription medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are giving it to a child.

Sources

  1. Acai: Usefulness and Safety (opens in a new tab) · NCCIH · read September 25, 2026

Reviewed September 25, 2026.