Acai bowls: Health food or harmful fad?

By: Jackie Baumann, COM 110C

ELON—Some people like theirs with toasted coconut and cacao. Others enjoy theirs with
diced fruits and granola. Many sprinkle theirs with nuts and chia seeds. It’s marketed as a healthy
afternoon snack, and with a frozen berry base and all these nutritious toppings, what seems to be
the problem?
Acai bowls are the hottest trend on the market, surging in popularity for its health
benefits approximately ten years ago. But with the main appeal of this treat being its health
properties, is it ​all ​that healthy to begin with?
First, let’s get into the basics. What actually ​is​ an acai bowl?
“Acai bowls are made from acai berries, and they have all these antioxidant properties,”
said Professor Elizabeth Bailey, an exercise science lecturer at Elon University. “The content of
the berry does help prevent inflammation, disease and joint pain.”
The health benefits of acai berries are recognized not only by professors like Bailey, but
at local acai cafes as well.
“Acai berries also have a remarkable amount of essential fatty acids, proteins, and they’re
even connected to weight loss assistance,” said Taylor Gilland, founder of The Purple Bowl in
Chapel Hill.
Acai bowls are based entirely around this healthy berry. So one might ask, how could this
snack actually be unhealthy?
“They don’t have a lot of sweetness to them on their own. So if it’s all very sweet, then
you know there’s a lot of added sugar,” said Bailey.
This isn’t uncommon, as many cafes use highly processed acai either in a frozen or
powdered form to enhance the taste.
“I know that for my place at least, we’d use these frozen packets that were super high in
sugar content,” said Olivia Mubarek, a former employee at Boost Bowls in Bethel, Connecticut.
In fact, this is even seen on Elon University’s campus.
 “While a lot of the sugar in our acai is natural, there is a large amount of added sugar for
taste,” said Keith Griffin, Chef de Cuisine at Clohan Dining Hall.
Many times the acai berries cafes use are not blended alone, but in combination with
unhealthier ingredients.
“For example, if acai berries are put into whole milk, then you’re getting added fat in that
whole milk,” said Bailey.
Although, one of the most alarming things about acai bowls is not the berry itself or what
it’s mixed with, but the toppings that are added on.
“Customers would come in thinking they’re getting the whole ‘healthy’ experience but
that’s usually not the case,” said Mubarak. “Especially when they put toppings on like nutella,
lots of fruit, cacao nibs, most nuts and things like that.”
Bailey agreed with this statement.
“You have to look what toppings you add onto them and determine whether they are a
good choice for you or not,” said Bailey. “Things like coconut shavings, dried fruit and granola
are packed with sugar.”
Bailey noted that in total, acai bowls have the potential to be over 1,000 calories
depending on how they are prepared. However, despite concerns over nutrition, Elon University
students still can’t get enough of them.
“Acai bowls are one of my favorite foods. I probably eat them at least four times a
week,” said Ashleigh Garcia, a first year strategic communications major. “The health benefits
don’t really matter to me, I just like the taste.”
While the nutritional content of acai bowls are still a concern, a healthy acai bowl is
possible as long as wise choices are being made.
“The acai that we use is directly sourced from the Amazon rainforest, and we proudly
partner with Makai Fruits to ensure everything we import is organic,” said Gilland. “Whether it
be the berry or our toppings, we make sure it's all no sugar added and organically certified.”
Bailey offers some additional helpful advice.
“If you ask places what their acai is mixed with, they will most likely tell you. And if the
berries are picked and frozen immediately most nutrients remain in the fruit,” said Bailey.
 Bailey also recommends using phone applications to help create a healthier bowl. She
suggests tracking calories on apps such as MyFitnessPal at commercial acai locations and
manipulating what is put in the bowl.
“So go for just the plain acai and then add something to it,” Bailey said. “For example,
put in half a cup of granola and a quarter cup of chocolate chips and just see how the numbers
change.”
Eat up!