Acai Juice May Help Ease Joint Pain

Researchers with NIS Labs have found that acai juice can help reduce chronic joint pain. The study findings were published in the April, 2011 edition of the Journal of Medicinal Foods.

14 mature participants with chronic pain and limitations in range of motion that affected their daily living were recruited for the study. The participants consumed 4 ounces of acai juice daily for 3 months.

The participants were assessed at the beginning of the study and again at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. The methods of assessment used were nurse interviews, blood samples, range of motion assessment and pain questionnaires.

At the end of the study, all of the participants showed reductions in joint pain and improved range of motion. In addition, antioxidant levels began to improve after 2 weeks and continued to improve throughout the 12 week period.

Increased antioxidant levels have been linked to a reduction in inflammation, which is responsible for joint pain. The researchers plan to perform further studies to verify the association between high antioxidant levels and decreased joint pain.

Acai berries have a very high level of anthocyanins, the pigment that is also present in red wine. Anthocyanins are powerful antioxidants that help protect the body from damage by free radicals, which may help reduce the risk of some chronic disease such as heart disease and cancer, and possibly even slow the aging process.