The world is constantly searching for answers, for cures, and for preventions for cancer and other diseases. Some people trust medicine. Other people trust herbs and natural resources. A majority of the world is not sure what to trust. Here is one possible solution. It is the açaí berry.  

Amid all of the fruit in the world, you will find the açaí berry, a berry that is located in the Amazon Rainforest. Although this berry is well known to Brazilians, it has been virtually unknown to the rest of the world until the past few years. Since then, it has gained popularity for a number of health benefits, but it seems those benefits continue to grow. One of the latest benefits includes fighting cancer. In fact, the University of Florida has provided research that açaí destroys cancer cells. This study is one of the first in investigating the fruit’s claim as a cancer-destroying super berry.

The study, which was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, shows that extracts from the açaí berries trigger a destructive response in as many as 86 percent of the leukemia cells that were tested. While these tests work toward the claims that açaí destroys cancer cells, it is important to note that the study does not show that the berries can prevent cancers like leukemia. Though the study was promising, it was only a cell-culture model and more studies need to be conducted.

While the berries are a delicious treat that contain several proven health benefits, it is the berry’s antioxidants that allow açaí to destroy cancer. Antioxidants are found in all types of berries, but açaí holds more antioxidants than any other fruit known at this time. With its high level of antioxidants, it is often compared or associated with blueberries and red wine. Açaí’s high levels of antioxidants, along with its other vitamins and nutrients, are why it is considered a "super berry. "  

One problem with the latest studies is to differentiate what allows açaí berries to destroy cancer cells. Although they know it is the antioxidants, it is important to see if the different forms of açaí perform any better or worse. Until recently, açaí was not available outside of the Rainforest area because the fruit has a short life span. The fruit also is not edible as a whole berry. Locally, açaí is used in juice or pulp form. Outside sales also include juice and pulp form, as well as powder, pill, and other forms. With each company that develops an açaí product, there can be a varying amount of the açaí berry in each product.