Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.)-A phytochemical and pharmacological assessment of the species' health claims

The palm Euterpe oleracea Martius (açai) has been acclaimed to have a wide range of health-promoting and therapeutic benefits due to its reportedly high levels of antioxidants: ▶ This Brazil palm has a range of traditional uses like for treating fevers, skin complications, digestive disorders and parasitic infections and in recent years, açai berry has been advertised widely, for example, via the Internet. ▶ This is based to a relatively high content of polyphenols, which in turn has been linked to a range of reported (mostly in vitro) antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and cardioprotective properties. Claims about alleged health benefits can generally only be substantiated to a very limited degree. ▶ As a novel approach we also assess the interest this botanical has received in Internet searches using the search engine 'Google'. First a steady (2004-2008) and in the period 2008-2009 a dramatic increase of interest in açai is notable and a subsequent drop. This highlights the power of the Internet in the commercialisation of such food supplements and the fast changing framework how such health supplements are commercialised.