Has Anyone Tried Acai?

Updated on January 31, 2009
L.R. asks from Bloomfield Hills, MI
22 answers

I made this request last week, but it didn't hit the daily digest, so I'm going to try this again. Has anyone tried Acai? It's been endorsed heavily by Oprah, Dr. Oz, Rachael Ray, et al. It sounds like what I need to keep my energy up and appetite down, but there are so many different types of supplements. If you have tried this product, please let me know which one you sampled and what you thought. I'm trying to slim down and doing really great with eating well, getting enough exercise, getting enough sleep, etc., but I'm still pretty hungry much of the time and I don't feel my energy level is where it could be. Just looking for a little extra boost. If you have direct experience with Acai (or know someone who has,) please share. Thanks!

1 mom found this helpful

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.N.

answers from Detroit on

I started using an Acai juice about 2 months ago and I think it is wonderful. I have horrible knees and was starting to limp from the pain. I now only have bad days on occasion. I had gone a couple weeks without it since I didn't order on time and the pain started up again so I think it really is the juice. For weight loss I notice no difference really. Here is a site that I buy all my nutrtional items from and the shipping is $4.99 no matter how big the order!!
http://www.vitacost.com/Dynamic-Health-Organic-Certified-...
The link takes you right to an Organic Acai juice blend. It is very cheap compared to those others and it works!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.D.

answers from Detroit on

I have been wanting to try Acai also so I did sign up to get a "free" trial, only to have my credit card billed almost $90! I did some research on it with the telephone number they used on the bank statement and it is all a scam. I have called and canceled it when it was still pending on my account and they said they will reverse the charges within 24 hrs. Well 3 days later the charge went through. I called again and they said it would take 7-10 days to refund the account. I am still within that 7-10 days, hoping that they do not charge the account again, like a lot of people said they did with my same exact situation. So please be careful and do not order the trials!! I am sooo kicking myself because of this. :(

Oh and my mom just bought hers from a GNC store and they were only $17. Wish I woulda known that before I got scammed!

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.H.

answers from Detroit on

Hi L.,
I've read some of your replies, and I wanted to add my response... Acai is just one of the nutrients our bodies need. I know of a product that contains hypoallergenic pollen (not bee pollen which has contaminants)... called Projoba Pollen Burst. Think of pollen as the beginning of any plant life ... it has all the nutrients necessary to make any fruit or vegetable. It has thousands of micro-nutrients that our body needs, also contains green tea, and most important superoxide dismutase (which is the most important antioxidant our body needs). You'll feel so much better - your body needs all these nutrients. You'll have regained energy, too! There is nothing else like it - Learn more about Pollen Burst at www.squidoo.com/pollenburst which has links to help you get more info.
All the best,
L.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Detroit on

GOOD FOR YOU! We all need to take better care of ourselves.

I know a TON about natural alternatives to health. If you want, I can send you science-based information about Acai. Just drop me your e-mail address! However, it really isn't a solution for weight loss. (I know about that too.)

Be well!

S.
____@____.com

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.B.

answers from Grand Rapids on

Hi L.,
I take Mona Vie which has the Acai berry in it and I have been eating less, sure is nice. It is also loaded with nutrients and have heard a lot of people benefiting from the juice in various ways. It seems to help you where you need help the most, a friend takes it because it helps get her going in the morning and keeps her going throughout the day...she was lacking energy big time. My daughter and I are distributors, very easy to get involved because there are people who will help you every step of the way. Great product with wonderful people to help you.
Any questions, feel free to send an email my way...
Take care...
C.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.M.

answers from Detroit on

Hi L.---I too, have heard great things about how many nutrients are in the acai berry. I use it occasionally in my smoothies. I buy it frozen at Whole Foods. Yes, it is expensive. But acai should only be a small part of your nutrition and healthy eating plan.

I am currently undergoing certification to be a Wellness Educator and have learned some great strategies for good health. You really want to think about adopting a wellness plan for yourself, which doesn't include the word 'diet' in terms of losing weight. Choose your diet, all the food that you eat, on the basis of what will promote optimal health. It should consist primarily of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes, using animal products sparingly. We should be eating 9 to 13 servings of fruits and veggies each day, and a large variety is probably more important than the quantity (think in terms of color-different colors provide different antioxidants). Also, concentrate on getting as much fiber as you can with these foods. If you get adequate fiber, you will fill up before you could possibly eat too many calories. Think nutrient dense, low calorie. Again, the 4 food groups that I mentioned will fit this requirement. Dr. Neal Barnard, www.pcrm.org, said in a lecture that I attended, that for every 10-12 grams of fiber you add to your diet, you eat 200-300 fewer calories. EAT FOR HEALTH, NOT TO LOSE WEIGHT. If you do that, you will lose the weight. I also think that with this attitude, you won't feel deprived. Over time your tastes change and you wonder how you ever ate some of the things you did before.

I have access to a number of strategies and can help you develop a plan to change your eating habits. I do not charge for consultation. I just really enjoy helping people. Please feel free to contact me at any time with questions. I would also like to invite you (and any other mom in the Detoit area) to a health education event on Jan 22 in Troy. The group that I work with sponsors these as often as possible. It will help provide knowledge and support that you could use in establishing optimal diet and lifestyle habits. Call me at ###-###-#### or send a personal email to ____@____.com. I look forward to talking to you. In health, D.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.M.

answers from Detroit on

I tried the Acai. I didn't really notice a big difference in anything, let alone weight loss. It is also quite expensive. The best thing I did was go to a group of Chiropractor/Clinical Nutritionists in Grosse Pointe. I didn't really need to lose alot of weight, I was looking to getting my system in balance. They work you on what you eat and balance with whole food supplements. The first recommendation was NO SUGAR or white flour. Lots of vegetables, organic when possible and less coffee (as coffee can interfere with weight loss) and it's full of pesticides...yes pesticides! The first week I lost 4 pounds! YEEHA! From August to mid-November I lost 16 pounds. I was a bit "hungry" at first because my body was craving sugar and carbs that was in all that white food I had been eating. Pretty soon though, the hunger went way because I was getting the NUTRIENTS I needed from far less food. I also found out I did have some food allergies that I never knew about that were inhibiting my energy and ability process the food I was eating. It's a huge big circle. The cost comparison...ordering the Acai online would have been about $80 per month. Going to the Alternative Health Care Center was a little more than that at first, but as time goes on you don't have to go as often.
The cost is well worth the results. Go to www.ahccenter.com and check out the website and read the testimonials. People go there for many reasons. The philosophy there is if you feed your body what it needs, everything else will fall into place. I would love to hear if you go and about your results! Good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.L.

answers from Grand Rapids on

I checked on Oprah's site and she does not endrose this product exactly. http://www.oprah.com/article/health/nutrition/20090105_or...

I personally still want to try it, just because sounds like it is good for your health, and I am also looking for good health alternatives besides the same old all the time.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.T.

answers from Detroit on

Wow, you are asking the exact question that I have always wanted to. They ads claim that it helps clean you out.

Please send all your responses to me if you can so that I can get the answers also.

Thank you and good luck
God Bless, CIndy

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.K.

answers from Kalamazoo on

Hi L. R., Do you mean Alli? It is pronouned Al-I. I have seen it advertised but I don't know anyone who has used it and I didn't see the Oprah TV segment. I would ask your Doctor or Pharmacist about it especially if you are taking any medication. Denise K.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.E.

answers from Detroit on

Hi L.,

I, too, take Mona Vie Active. Actually, I just ran out a few days ago, because I wasn't entirely convinced that it was working so I hadn't ordered more (I thought it was working, but wasn't completely sure). Let me tell you, my back pain is definitely worse since I stopped taking the Mona Vie. I will be ordering more. As some others have mentioned, it is a bit expensive, but I figure if it helps me feel better, it's worth it. I did try some other supplemenets first and they didn't help at all (I have arthritis in my back).

I do have a comment about your feeling hungry all the time. Do you eat lots of carbs? I went on the Zone diet for a while (it's about balancing your carbs, protein and fat) and I noticed that I didn't get that "I'm absolutely starving" feeling anymore. I used to get it quite frequently, in fact, for years, I felt hungry almost all the time. It might be one more thing for you to look at...

Best of luck!

C.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.J.

answers from Lansing on

L.,

I am currently drinking Mona-Vie, Active, every morning and have seen a vast difference in my long-term energy level. It does not give me a boost like caffeine, instead it is a long, slow burn that keeps my energy up all day.

The suggested dosage is 1 fluid oz with breakfast and dinner, but I found if I take it at dinner time I am up all night long. So I switched it to 2 fluid oz in the morning with my breakfast - I drink it in a shot glass from our honeymoon! I figure why let the glass sit in a cabinet where it is not being used, now I remember our trip every day and enjoy my drink at the same time. =)

The acai drink has helped me to focus better, I definitely accomplish more throughout the day. I have also been eating less because I'm not eating for energy, now just when I'm hungry.

My dad has been drinking this acia berry drink for the past year and my mom just stopped, it didn't help her arthritis, so he had lots left over. I was given a case of 4 large bottles after Christmas so it wouldn't go bad, but I don't know how much it costs per case.

Good luck in your search.

-C..

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.A.

answers from Detroit on

L.,

I have tried Acai in it's highest quality through the product called Monavie. I take 1 or 2 ounces morning and night and I have noted more energy, better sleep and alertness during the day. I am a server at a local restaurant and during the holidays I worked a lot of 10-12 hour days and last year I felt horrible, sore and thinking I was crazy to waitress again at my age (39 at the time). This year I felt so much better on Monavie, again whose main ingredient is acai along with 18 other fruits. It's truly the best around. The company freeze dries/flash dries the berry as soon as it is taken off the tree (basically) and it then it has it's highest potency. (not sure of exact verbage).

C.M.

answers from Detroit on

Hi L.,

I received a spam email about the Acai berry pill and i did place an order for it last week. i did do a search a found a few blog web sites of women who tried the pill form and a colon cleanser and she stated she did loose weight from the products. i should receive my order sometime this week and will keep you posted. You can email me at ____@____.com if you have any other questions.

Cherie

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.W.

answers from Detroit on

Kind of. I love the V8 Fusion Acai flavor. its really good. I saw an episode of The Doctors that mentioned it too. Heard it was crazy expensive though

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.G.

answers from Detroit on

Hi L.!

Awesome for your for wanting to set an example for your children and family by thinking healthier! I have been taking MonaVie for quite sometime now and I can attest that when I initially tried it (before becoming a distributor to buy it cheaper) that I was very surprised at the taste and I really didn't expect it to do much for me. My hubby and I bought enough for a month and then decided to stop to see if we could notice a difference or not. I'll tell you we thought it was coincindental that we slept a little better but good sleep was what we were getting when we took the juice that we felt more rested and less tired the next day. The other thing we noticed big time was, for me, my hips and pelvic pain came back whem i stopped taking it (I have osteitis pubis)...for my hubby he swears his knee is awesome when he takes the juice (he had ACL surgery a few years ago). I would say try it out for a little while to see if you feel a difference. I do think my appetite is better and I'm not as hungry and I have been losing some weight as long as I combine that with some exercise and eating better in general.

Here is a couple of links for you to check out...there is also a study out there from the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry that studied MonaVie Active in particular...the study was small but I'm sure there will be more to come.
http://www.realhealthanswers.com/docs/FoodMattersMovie.co...

http://www.realhealthanswers.com/news/DoctorsShow.htm

http://www.realhealthanswers.com/docs/RealHealthAnswers.c...

Hope this helps and good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.S.

answers from Grand Rapids on

There are many, many, many forms of acai out there, all different businesses that sell their special combination of acai and other fruit/ veggies.
Personally my family and I drink Mona Vie which is acai with a blend of many other things, it's actually been really great and we can notice a difference when we take it.
My brother in law lifts weights quite seriously and he would be sore after lifting like anybody else but now he take a few oz of Mona Vie after working out and he's not sore the next day. The reason is because there are SO many antioxidants in mona vie that it flushes out the lactic acid in his system after he's done lifting which is what make you sore after a work out.
It has helped a few people I know sleep better, get rid of their arthritis or just help the pain, my grandpa is able to do more work on his farm than he's been able to in 10 years.
I know this makes it sound like a miricle juice, it's not but our bodies and diets are missing so many of the things in this blend that we notice it so much when we take it.

So all that to say you can buy it from a distributor, and just have it shipped to your house. Go to the Mona vie web site and check it out.

If you want a number to contact someone to buy it from them, my brother in law sells it and would he happy to help you out.
Let me know if you want his number or email.

last note... you can't just buy any brand of acai, you really need to look into the quality standards of the company and what is in the juice blend, just because it says it has acai juice in it doesn't really mean much. Since it's "all the craze" right now many people like V8 put it in there stuff but I wouldn't ever buy V8 if I were looking for a very high standard drink. Just a thought

B.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.K.

answers from Detroit on

I have not, but just read an article on AOL this morning saying that you need to read the fine print on those "free" offers very carefully. Most of the time, signing up for the free trial entails giving them your credit card number (for shipping and handling)and it also signs you up for continuing shipments every couple of weeks for which you are billed. Be careful. Here's the web address
http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/01/08/bbb-warms-of-aca...

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.W.

answers from Detroit on

I have not tried that product, but if you are going to, please make sure you read and understand what ingredients are in it. I have tried alot of programs and diet regiments before I found what I am taking. Make sure that it is a reputable company and do some background work. If you would like to know what I take, call me. I have energy like I was back in my twenties, I lost 65lbs and kept it off for over 2 years.
###-###-####
J.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.G.

answers from Jackson on

Dear L., I do have some experience with Acai. I can send you some comparison information. According to some scientists some superfruit juices are just pricey juice...it really depends on how it is processed. We could talk about some of those details.

I'd like to ask you a couple questions about your diet...how is your protein intake? Has anyone ever talked with you about a target number for the amount of protein grams daily?

I commend you for your efforts to get healthier so you can be the mom you dream of being!

M. Gray

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.T.

answers from Detroit on

Hi L., it looks like a lot of others are hooked on MonaVie. I too am hooked & can't seem to get enough. I'm now a distributor of the product. I recommend it, although I think the best thing you can do is try it for yourself first & go from there. I can offer you a free bottle (looks like a wine bottle), but there is 19 fruits in the juice which includes the Acai berry. I now have my blood pressure back to normal & my weight has dropped by about 12lbs since I started it in September.
If you'd like to hear about the product, you are more than welcome to join us at our weekly meeting at the Cherry Creek Banquet Center. No pressures to buy, no one bugging you about anything. You learn about the product & what it does for you. One of the other girls below offered the MonaVie website which is open to anyone. If you'd like more information or you want to go to the meeting, you can email me: ____@____.com or attend the meeting on Tuesday evenings at 7:30pm-9:00pm.
There are 3 different kinds depending on what your needs are. I believe you can get the bottles at retail for $40 and above, but through us is much cheaper.
Karen A

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions