Although there have been a number of claims as to the acai berry benefits, according to many scientists, few of these claims can be substantiated. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the only proven benefit of the acai berry is its nutritional value and antioxidant properties. A number of legal actions have been taken in late 2008 and early 2009 regarding false claims and misused statements of celebrities and doctors.

The acai berry itself comes from a type of palm tree that grows in Central and South America. It is most common in Belize, Brazil and Peru. The berry grows most fervently in swamplands and areas susceptible to floods. They are fast growing and easily cultivated, making them highly accessible to the local population.

Throughout the Amazon rain forest, the residents have claimed for centuries that acai berry benefits were insurmountable. Locals use its juice and extract for a variety of medicines and supplements to treat a variety of diseases and illnesses. Many claim that it also offers other benefits for health and vitality.

Commercial companies cite a number of other health benefits that have been shown to be inconclusive by most researchers. Most compare the acai berry benefits to those of wine with none of the negative health risks associated with alcohol. The acai berry has high levels of both omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids. These are said to help with weight loss and control levels of cholesterol within the body.

There are also claims from a variety of dealers that other acai berry benefits include cancer-fighting agents and anti-aging properties. Again, these statements have proven to be unsubstantiated by the FDA and other researchers. According to most commercial dealers, while these claims may be hard to identify, users of the berry claim to feel its effects.

What has been proven, however, is the base nutrition facts of acai berry. Acai berry benefits the body by providing a substantial source of vitamin A and small amounts of calcium, iron and protein. The antioxidant levels of the acai berry have been shown to be intermediate as compared to other fruits. Of all the different varieties of the fruit, the commercially-sold purple version has been shown to have the best results against free radicals.

Although there are a number of commercial claims that state acai berry has properties that far outweigh other fruits, the scientific evidence is negligible. The acai berry benefits are basically equivalent to those of grapes, strawberries and mangoes. However, the FDA and other agencies continue to perform studies and tests, which may change over time.