When taken by mouth: Acai is possibly safe when used for up to 3 months. It's usually well-tolerated. But be aware that raw acai juice can be contaminated with parasites. In rare cases, drinking the raw juice has been linked to outbreaks of a disease called American trypanosomiasis or Chagas Disease.

Summary Acai bowls — especially those that are commercially prepared — are high in calories and sugar, which could contribute to weight gain and health issues like liver problems, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.

What Do We Know About Safety? Acai pulp appears to be safe when consumed in the amounts commonly used in foods; however, drinking unprocessed acai juice has been linked to an illness called American trypanosomiasis (also known as Chagas disease). Consuming acai might affect MRI test results.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) indicates that there is a lack of research into the health effects of acai products on humans. However, some research indicates that acai berries may have an antioxidant effect in people, which means they may help prevent or slow cell damage from free radicals.