Acai (Euterpe oleracea)

Category

Herbs & Supplements

Synonyms

Acai flour, acai palm, Amazonian palm, Euterpe oleracea, Euterpe oleracea Mart., heart of palm, OptiAcai™, palm heart.

Background

The acai palm tree (Euterpe oleracea) is native to tropical Central and South America and grows mainly in floodplains and swamps. Although the soft interior stem can be used as a source for heart of palm, acai is better known for its inch-long reddish-purple fruit. Acai has been a traditional food of the native people of the Amazon for hundreds of years. Acai beverages are prepared by extracting juice from the fruit pulp and skin.

Currently, research on acai fruit has been centered on its potential antioxidant properties. Acai fruit has also shown antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory activity. Acai may also show promise as an agent for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is a non-invasive procedure that produces a two-dimensional view of internal organs or structures, especially the brain and spinal cord. Currently, there is insufficient available evidence in humans to support the use of acai for any indication.

Evidence

DISCLAIMER: These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Tradition

WARNING: DISCLAIMER: The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.
Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, food uses, cancer, alternative oral contrast agent in MRI.

Dosing

Adults (over 18 years old)

There is no proven safe or effective dose for acai in adults.

Children (under 18 years old)

There is no proven safe or effective dose for acai in children.

Safety

DISCLAIMER: Many complementary techniques are practiced by healthcare professionals with formal training, in accordance with the standards of national organizations. However, this is not universally the case, and adverse effects are possible. Due to limited research, in some cases only limited safety information is available.

Allergies

Avoid in individuals with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to acai (Euterpe oleracea) or its constituents.

Side Effects and Warnings

Acai is likely safe when used in food amounts.

Avoid acai in patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or using oral contrast agents for MRI, as acai has been used as an experimental clinical oral contrast agent for MRI of the gastrointestinal tract.

Acai may aggravate or initiate hypertension (high blood pressure) or edema (swelling). It may also aggravate or initiate gastrointestinal disorders (ulcers or intestinal bleeding).

Use cautiously in patients taking antineoplastics (anticancer agents).

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Acai is not recommended in pregnant or breastfeeding women due to a lack of available scientific evidence.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs

Acai may have cyclooxygenase COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition properties. Use cautiously with anti-inflammatory medications due to possible additive effects.

Acai may have antiproliferative effects. Use cautiously with medication used in the treatment of cancer, such as antineoplastics, due to possible additive effects.

Freeze-dried acai fruit pulp/skin powder may have antioxidant activity. Use cautiously with antioxidant agents due to possible additive effects.

Acai has been used as an experimental clinical oral contrast agent for MRI of the gastrointestinal tract and therefore it should be avoided in patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or using oral contrast agents for MRI.

Interactions with Herbs & Dietary Supplements

Acai may have cyclooxygenase COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition properties. Use cautiously with herbs and supplements with anti-inflammatory activity due to possible additive effects.

Acai may have antiproliferative effects. Use cautiously with herbs and supplements used to treat cancer due to possible additive effects.

Freeze-dried acai fruit pulp/skin powder may have antioxidant capacity. Use cautiously with herbs and supplements with known antioxidant activity due to possible additive effects.

Acai has been used as an experimental clinical oral contrast agent for MRI of the gastrointestinal tract and therefore it should be avoided in patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or using oral contrast agents for MRI.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature, and was peer-reviewed and edited by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com): Ashley Brigham, PharmD (Northeastern University); Dilys Burke, BA (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Dawn Costa, BA, BS (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Nicole Giese, MS (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Shaina Tanguay-Colucci, BS (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Catherine Ulbricht, PharmD (Massachusetts General Hospital); Wendy Weissner, BA (Natural Standard Research Collaboration).

Bibliography

DISCLAIMER: Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

Cordova-Fraga T, de Araujo DB, Sanchez TA, et al. Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) as an alternative oral contrast agent in MRI of the gastrointestinal system: preliminary results. Magn Reson.Imaging 2004;22(3):389-393.

Del Pozo-Insfran D, Percival SS, Talcott ST. Acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) polyphenolics in their glycoside and aglycone forms induce apoptosis of HL-60 leukemia cells. J Agric.Food Chem 2-22-2006;54(4):1222-1229.

Sangronis E, Teixeira P, Otero M, et al. [Manaca, sweet potato and yam: possible substitutes of wheat in foods for two ethnic population in Venezuelan Amazon]. Arch Latinoam.Nutr 2006;56(1):77-82.

Schauss AG, Wu X, Prior RL, et al. Antioxidant capacity and other bioactivities of the freeze-dried Amazonian palm berry, Euterpe oleraceae mart. (acai). J Agric.Food Chem 11-1-2006;54(22):8604-8610.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.