Daily Acai Smoothie Reduces Diabetes, CVD Risks

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.Consuming an antioxidant-rich acai smoothie daily may help improve blood sugar, insulin and cholesterol levels and reduce the risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease, according to a new study published in the Nutrition Journal.

Researchers conducted an open label, uncontrolled pilot study where 10 overweight adults were given a daily dose of 200 grams (two 100-gram doses daily) of acai pulp in the form of a smoothie. The proprietary acai puree was provided by Sambazon and contained 6.4 g fatty acids, 4.5 mg/mL phenolics and 5.3 g fiber per 100-gram dose. One month later, the team analyzed metabolic syndrome risk factors, including cholesterol levels, insulin and glucose levels, and blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker for inflammation.

The found daily consumption of the acai smoothies resulted in a significant reductions in glucose, insulin, and total cholesterol levels, while C-reaction protein levels and blood pressure did not change. Fasting glucose was reduced by 5.3 percent and cholesterol by 10.6 percent, both of which are greater than those deemed necessary to reduce the risk of diabetes.

The researchers theorized that the high fiber, antioxidant and fatty acid combination in acai may be one reason why the mixture was effective in reducing risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.