Supplement analysis backed by scientific evidence · PT · ES · DE · FR

← All supplements
Limited evidenceLongevity & antioxidants

Acai Extract

Açaí pulp is genuinely rich in anthocyanins, but the "superfood" reputation rests on antioxidant assays rather than outcomes: a 2025 meta-analysis of 8 trials found no effect on cholesterol or triglycerides, with low to very low certainty.

View on iHerb Ships to 180+ countries · welcome discount for new customers

What the science says

  • Improves cholesterol and triglycerides Limited evidence

    A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis pooling 411 participants across 8 trials found no significant effect of açaí on LDL-C (MD +6.06 mg/dL, 95% CI -0.03 to 12.48), HDL-C (+0.30 mg/dL), total cholesterol (+2.94 mg/dL) or triglycerides. GRADE certainty was rated low to very low. The only significant pooled finding was a reduction in "total lipids," a soft outcome of unclear clinical meaning.

  • Raises antioxidant capacity and HDL Limited evidence

    In a 4-week randomized crossover trial in healthy adults, açaí and juçara juices (roughly 200 mL/day) modestly raised HDL-C and some antioxidant-defense markers. These are surrogate biomarkers in a small crossover study, and the trial drew published methodological criticism in the same journal.

  • High ORAC score means real health benefits Limited evidence

    Açaí's marketing leans on ORAC antioxidant rankings, a measure the USDA withdrew from its nutrient database in 2012 as having no demonstrated relevance to human health. In vitro antioxidant capacity has never predicted clinical outcomes for any fruit, and it does not here.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseHuman trials used 200–300 mL/day of açaí pulp or juice (roughly 100–200 g pulp) for 4 weeks, or about 12.5 g/day of freeze-dried pulp. Typical capsule products supplying 500–1000 mg of "açaí extract" deliver a small fraction of the anthocyanin dose used in trials and have essentially no direct evidence at that dose.
SafetyWell tolerated as a food. Açaí pulp is calorie-dense (roughly 70–100 kcal per 100 g, mostly fat), so "açaí bowls" are not a low-calorie food. In the Brazilian Amazon, unpasteurised açaí pulp is a documented vehicle for oral transmission of Chagas disease (Trypanosoma cruzi) — use only pasteurised product. Açaí was the subject of US FTC enforcement actions against "free trial" weight-loss and colon-cleanse scams; treat any açaí product making rapid weight-loss claims as fraudulent.

How to take it

TimingTiming does not matter.
With food?It is a food — eat it as pulp, in a bowl or a smoothie.
Worth knowingUse only pasteurised pulp: unpasteurised açaí is a documented vehicle for oral transmission of Chagas disease.

Frequently asked questions

Does acai lower cholesterol?

Acai does not appear to lower cholesterol: a 2025 meta-analysis of 8 trials with 411 participants found no significant effect on LDL-C, HDL-C, total cholesterol or triglycerides (limited evidence, low to very low certainty).

Is acai a superfood because of its antioxidant score?

Acai's superfood reputation relies on ORAC antioxidant rankings, a measure the USDA withdrew from its database in 2012 as having no demonstrated relevance to human health (limited evidence). In vitro antioxidant capacity has never predicted clinical outcomes for any fruit.

Do acai capsules work as well as acai pulp?

Acai trials used 200-300 mL/day of pulp or juice, or about 12.5 g/day of freeze-dried pulp, while typical capsules supplying 500-1000 mg of acai extract deliver a small fraction of that anthocyanin dose. Capsules have essentially no direct evidence at their label dose.

Is acai safe, and does it help with weight loss?

Acai is well tolerated as a food, but use only pasteurised pulp, because unpasteurised acai is a documented vehicle for Chagas disease. Acai was the subject of US FTC actions against weight-loss and colon-cleanse scams, so treat any acai product promising rapid weight loss as fraudulent.

Scientific references

Where to buy

Source Naturals, Acai Extract, 500 mg, 120 Capsules

View on iHerb

Ships to 180+ countries · welcome discount for new customers

Referral link — this site may earn a commission on purchases.

Related in Longevity & antioxidants