Despite what you may hear from skeptics, cynics, and naysayers, acai berries have undergone considerable scientific study, and the research has already yielded significant results. And those results appear to back up many of the health and wellness claims being made by purveyors of acai berry supplements.

Of course the “original” researchers were the tribal medicine men and women of the Brazilian Amazon – such as the Uwishin of the Shuar people – who, centuries ago were the first to discover this fruit native to their home. They quickly discovered the many benefits of acai berries through regular use and observation, accumulating endless anecdotal evidence to verify their findings.

Today’s consumer is less comfortable with purely anecdotal evidence, however, preferring indisputable scientific evidence to support their health care choices. That’s why researchers like those at the Federal University Rio de Janiero and the University of Florida began studying acai berry for their alleged healing properties. What the former found is that acai berry extract can fight bacterial infections, and what the latter found is that acai berries caused more than 3/4 of leukemia cells in vitro to self-destruct.

A more recent report called “Biochemical and Technical Studies on Acai” published by Dr. Herve Rogez found several promising conclusions, including that a single serving of acai berries contains more than two times the daily recommended dose of Vitamin E and the total recommended daily dose of Calcium.

Other research, including from the USDA itself, conducted not on acai berries themselves but rather on a potent ingredient known to be found in acai berries, a type of antioxidant called anthocyanins, found incredible links between anthocyanins and anti-aging.

So now when you read how good acai berries are for your health, you now have some scientific research to back that up.