What if humans could extend their lives just by consuming a particular type of berry? According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), that might be possible. Using a model to study life extension, the NIA reported a life extension effect when acai was added to the diet, as reported in Experimental Gerontology. Since that publication, a team of investigators from three universities and the NIA have confirmed the observed life extension effect in a second species, says Alexander Schauss, Ph.D., senior research director of natural and medicinal products research for AIBR Life Sciences Inc., Puyallup, Wash.
Other studies have shown that acai can protect human cells from oxidative stress that would damage cells.