Oprah Winfrey Blamed as ‘Superfood’ the Acai Berry, Promoted on her Website Caused Run on Amazon's Jungle Dwellers' Staple Food

Oprah Winfrey has been in the news a lot lately, from her recent comments during the commencement address at Duke University about her private jet, to the latest dust-up, a run on the the acai berry, which has been promoted as a "superfood" on her Web site. The promotion has led to allegations that it is depriving the Amazon's jungle dwellers of a protein-rich nutrient they’ve relied on for generations. Ms. Winfrey discussed the berry with Mehmet Oz on her talk show February 2008, during which Oz, a cardiologist, presented his “anti-aging checklist.” It includes acai, blueberries and tomatoes. “It has twice the antioxidant content of a blueberry,” said Oz.

The latest allegation, at least according to Bloomberg's interview with Brazil's Oscar Noguiera, is that U.S. consumers are turning a “a typical poor people’s food into something like a delicacy.” I have heard of this, but I have not personally used the product. I am just a little leery of joining the stampede to try any new product without doing my own research.

Spending on acai-based products by Americans seeking to lose weight, gain energy or slow aging doubled to $104 million last year, according to SPINS, a Schaumburg, Illinois-based market research firm. Since U.S. demand took off early this decade, the fruit’s wholesale price in Brazil has jumped about 60-fold, Embrapa data show.

In 2008, exports from Para, the South American country’s main producing state, climbed 53 percent to account for about a quarter of output, according to the local government. Production, though, has increased little in the past five years. Source: Bloomberg

We all know that Oprah Winfrey has the "Midas touch," but to blame her for the run on the product is ridiculous. Her organization has released a statement saying that she is not associated with any acai products. It seems that they want to stiffle Ms. Winfrey's right to talk about whatever she wants. So what if she promoted the berry? Shouldn't the critics in Brazil find a way to bridge this divide and be innovative, rather than staid?

What is the Acai Berry?

Acai grows on palm trees and looks like a blueberry. In the Amazon, it is beaten, diluted in water and eaten with manioc, meat, fish or dried shrimp. Some U.S. Web sites say the berry can help with weight loss, sexual dysfunction, fighting cancer cells and regenerating muscles.

The pulp provides more protein in relation to its weight than eggs and milk, and has high levels of anthocyanin, an antioxidant, as well as vitamins E and B1, potassium, iron and calcium, according to Embrapa.

The Para government recommends its consumption. The berry is popularly associated with bone and muscular strength, longevity and a healthy immune system, said Lucival Cardoso, the state’s chief health inspector.

“We encourage families to give acai to children as young as 6 months,” Cardoso said. “It’s also very filling; that’s why it’s traditionally associated with low-income family diets.” Source: Bloomberg

I would caution people to be mindful of the fact that the Food and Drug Administration has not reviewed any acai-based products for safety or purported health benefits. In essence, proceed at your own risk. The pills and other products made with the fruit's extracts are sold in health food stores and supermarkets across the country.