Acai is the latest greatest thing in natural health, sharing a long tradition of superfoods with pomegranate, mangosteen, and vitamin E, and, in case you go back far enough, cod liver oil, kelp, and even lard. But are the purported acai berry health benefits true?

If you are a fruit fly or a lab rat, you can be certain that acai has scientifically proven health benefits for you. One study found that acai berry extract helps fruit flies live longer on a high-fat diet. For fruit flies that live in the dumpster behind McDonald's who can buzz over to the dumpster behind the local juice bar, this is fantastic news.

Another study found that a diet that derives 5 percent of calories from acai berry protects against N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine-induced esophageal cancer in lab rats. (The same study found that blueberries, strawberries, wolfberries,and blackberries work equally well.) And just one more study has discovered that frozen acai berry pulp slows down damage in aging rat brains. In case you are an elderly lab rat with a drinking problem, acai is obviously for you.

But what about humans? Is there any real proof of acai berry health benefits for mankind?

In a word, no. Acai berry juice tastes fantastic. It is sustainably collected with sensitivity to the environment and with respect for the people who gather it. More people like a little acai in their juice than like a lot, but it's great way to add variety to healthy beverages.

The thing is, acai isn't a clinically proven superfood. And it's not a diet food. To quote the world's most popular marketer of acai berry, Chris Kilham (who introduced me to acai berry about 10 years ago): "Just a quick word about the acai diets that everyone has been spammed over. Useless. Acai is not a diet magic. It is a great, amazing-tasting, highly beneficial fruit that gives you energy and makes you feel good. But don't be bilked by companies that want you to believe it is the key to weight loss. It isn't."

Buy acai berry. It is a delicious fruit, and every purchase you make helps striving native people earn a living honestly and honorably while preserving the Amazon rainforest. Be careful about getting the juice on your countertops and clothes, because the stain is hard to remove. Just be aware that the astonishing antioxidant power of acai berry is balanced by the fact that most acai berry products contain just about 5% acai berry juice.

For astounding health benefits, choose the right combination of foods, herbs, and nutritional supplements. Never rely on a single product, no matter how remarkable it may seem to be.