"Is this berry from Brazil a superfruit that fights cancer?"

Daily Mail, Saturday, April 22, 2006.

A berry grown along the Amazon is being hailed as a superfruit which can hold back ageing, pep up sex lives and even fight cancer. The Açaí - pronounced ah-sah-ee - contains high levels of antioxidants. These are the substances credited with wiping out the free radical chemicals in the body which are believed to trigger cancer. Grown by native Indians, the grape-sized purple Açaí fruits have been praised by celebrities such as Sting and Oprah Winfrey.

They follow the promotion of blueberries, pomegranates and beetroot as trendy health-boosting fruits. However, the Açaí has twice the antioxidant level of blueberries and 50 per cent more than pomegranates. The fruit also contains beneficial Omega 6 & 9 fatty acids, which are rarely found in fruit, and are low in calories. They also contain fibre, calcium and vitamins.

The first bottled Açaí juice is to be sold at Waitrose from June and at health food chain Fresh & Wild. It will be on the shelves at a price of £1.49 for 330ml.

Hamish McCall, boss of the Happy Monkey firm making the drink, got the idea on holiday in Rio de Janeiro after seeing locals drinking a 'weird purple, gloopy' concoction.

'The Açaí is arguably the single most nutritionally beneficial fruit on Earth,' he said.

However, Mr McCall admitted that there are some hurdles to overcome.

'No one has heard of the Açaí berry and people can't even pronounce its name, but it has a really distinctive taste which will appeal to many.'

Promoters of the Açaí have also hailed it as helping weight loss, lowering cholesterol and boosting energy levels. However, the most controversial health claim is that the berry may help fight cancers, such as leukaemia. Promoters point to a recent University of Florida study which showed that extracts from Açaí triggered a self-destruct response in up to 86% of leukaemia cells tested. But the team stressed that it is far too early to make claims for the berries as a cancer treatment. Another study by the Florida scientists due to be published this year is investigating the effects of Açaí's antioxidants on healthy people. Researcher Dr Stephen Talcott said:

'A lot of claims are being made, but most of them haven't been scientifically tested.'
'We are just beginning to understand the complexity of the Açaí.'

The berries are believed not to be on sale in Britain because they are perishable and usually processed or eaten straight after picking. Açaí products have been available only for about 5 years, especially as a mainstay of trendy juice bars. The berries are produced by the Euterpe Oleracea palm tree, which is common in the floodplain areas of the Amazon. Their cultivation has been supported by Greenpeace and other environmentalists as an alternative to the tree-clearing activities of logging and forestry in the region. Historically, Brazilians have used the Açaí to treat digestive disorders and skin conditions.