Patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome demonstrate a cluster of clinical abnormalities including elevated fasting blood glucose levels, triglyceride levels and blood pressure as well as reduced levels of circulation high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) aka “good” cholesterol.  Typically, metabolic syndrome results from central obesity or excess waistline fat accumulation.  Given, that obesity facilities an increase in oxidant stress, it is hypothesized that consumption of antioxidant rich foods could improve the aforementioned clinical endpoints associated with metabolic syndrome.

Acai berry has received considerable attention for its antioxidant properties.  Nonetheless, until recently, human clinical trials have yet to investigate the effects of acai berry on clinical endpoints associated with metabolic syndrome within overweight and/or obese humans.  A recent study published in Nutrition Journal suggests that daily consumption acai pulp can induce significant improvements in clinical outcomes that facilitate the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS).  Briefly, 10 men and women were given 200 g/day acai berry pulp to ingest over a four week period.  Results showed that, compared to baseline, patients had significantly decreased fasting glucose, insulin and cholesterol levels 5.3%, 33.5% and 10.6%, respectively.  In addition, results from a test that measures the change in blood glucose after a meal showed that, after consuming acai berry for 4 weeks, blood glucose increased 4.7%, compared to 14.7% at baseline.

Altogether the results from this study are interesting and suggest that individuals with metabolic syndrome could begin to realize improvements in metabolic perturbations prior to weight loss. However, this study is with limitations. A small sample size, no placebo and open label design (subjects knew they were receiving acai berry) justifies future work in humans before definitive conclusions regarding the benefits of acai berry on metabolic syndrome are drawn.  Nonetheless, everybody can benefit from more fruits and vegetables in their diet and exotic options, such as acai berry, will surely keep things interesting!

Jay K Udani, Betsy B Singh, Vijay J Singh, Marilyn L Barrett. Effects of Acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) berry preparation on metabolic parameters in a healthy overweight population: A pilot study. Nutrition Journal 2011, 10:45 (12 May 2011)