Does Açaí Really Help Shed Pounds and Boost Energy?

The bottom line on the Brazilian berry everyone's buzzing about.

Claim: The antioxidant-rich Brazilian berry açaí (pronounced "a-sigh-EE") will help you shed pounds and feel energized.

Truth: There's no evidence that juices or other products containing açaí help flatten tummies, boost energy, or enhance health in any of the ways commonly advertised, says nutritionist David Schardt of the Center for Science in the Public Interest. The açaí berry is a good source of antioxidants -- but açaí drinks are generally juice blends, which may offer fewer antioxidants than grape, blueberry, or black cherry juice. "It's hard to know how much açaí you're actually getting in any given product," says Schardt.

And those antioxidants don't come cheap: A 750-milliliter bottle of one brand of açaí juice (a blend) goes for a whopping $45. Save your money, Schardt says.

See 10 of the best fruit sources for antioxidants.