Consumption of Acai Beverage (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) in Cardio-metabolic Syndrome

Açaí fruit ( Euterpe oleracea Mart.) is rich in anthocyanins where cardiovascular benefits have been demonstrated in previous studies. In contrast, few human clinical assessments have previously been conducted. This study examined the beneficial activities of acai beverage on body composition and cardiovascular disease markers in 37 volunteers (BMI= 33.56±1.4) diagnosed with the metabolic syndrome. Volunteers consumed 2 x 10 oz/day acai beverage (n=18) or placebo (n=19) for 12 weeks. Body composition, dietary intake, blood and urine were obtained at 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Data revealed that there was no significant time (Wilks' Lamda p=0.3271) and time by body composition effects (Wilks' Lamda p=0.9999). Selected biochemical lipid and glucose metabolism parameters analyzed by ANCOVA with body composition and nutritional intake as covariates revealed changes: Insulin (‐14.4559 ± 7.6974 ulU/ml, p=0.0758) and C‐peptide (‐1650.78 ± 762.19 pg/ml, p=0.0458) were decreased, and resistin (2280.06 ± 1059.18 pg/ml, p=0.0479) was increased. Results indicate that the consumption of acai may have a potential in improving markers of glucose metabolism in metabolically challenged individuals.