Depending on their ingredients, different diet pills cause different side effects. The fat blocker Xenical eliminates excess fats from the intestines, causing cramps, gas and diarrhea. Orlistat also hampers the body’s absorption of essential vitamins and nutrients, so users are advised take multivitamin supplements.

When the appetite suppressant Meridia stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, it increases heart rate and elevates blood pressure that can lead to heart attack and cardiac arrest. FDA reports show that 49 deaths between February 1998 and March 2003 have been attributed to sibutramine. Meridia can also develop insomnia, constipation and headaches.

Although herbal supplements are supposed to be safe because they are made with all-natural herbs, the diet capsules themselves contain other ingredients that have potentially dangerous side effects.

Another popular diet pill ingredient is the amphetamine-like stimulant called ephedra (or the Chinese herb ma huang), which, when combined with caffeine, can trigger massive weight loss. But because ephedra boosts the heart rate, it increased the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Acai berry supplements in extract, puree or pill have not shown any side effects or negative interaction with pharmaceuticals in any study. Grapefruit is known to interact with certain drugs, but the acai berry does not contain the substances which make grapefruit dangerous when taken with pills. You may experience a reaction if you happen to have a rare allergy to berries, but otherwise you should be just fine.

The acai berry contains rich amounts of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that have kept South American natives healthy for centuries. Its only side effect is decreased appetite, which is actually a benefit for those trying to lose weight.

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The numerous health benefits of acai berries have cast this little-known fruit into the spotlight. And the most promising of them all could be powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins.

Have you ever wondered why France has a low incidence of cardiovascular disease with all that fat in French cuisine? The answer could be in the volumes of red wine they consume. Red wine contains anthocyanins – believed to negate the effects of a fatty diet and smoking. What you’re getting from the Brazilian acai fruit is 30 percent more anthocyanins than red wine, without the alcohol associated with it.

The Value of Anthocyanins

Chronic inflammation – anthocyanins can prevent inflammation by neutralizing the enzymes that damage connective tissue. The anti-inflammatory capabilities of anthocyanins can help lower the risk of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, atherosclerosis, diabetes and osteoporosis.

Neurological disorders – oxidative damage in brain cells can lead to brain damage and brain trauma. Anthocyanins in the acai berry known as Cyanidin-3-glucoside can help in reversing age-related neurological deficits.

Cardiovascular disease – one of the terrific benefits of acai is its ability to lower cholesterol levels. Anthocyanins prevent the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL). Elevated LDL levels can clog arteries and lead to atherosclerosis. Anthocyanins also prevent ischemia which increases capillary wall permeability, restricts blood flow, and often causes permanent capillary damage.

Blindness – retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes. When the body attempts to repair leaking capillaries, retinopathy occurs, which may lead to blindness. Anthocyanins prevent capillaries from leaking and control protein proliferation. Studies also show that anthocyanins can help you adapt better to light and dark as well as reduce eye fatigue.

Cancer – a recent experiment showed that anthocyanins from dark-colored fruits like the acai berry effectively halted colon cancer cell growth, killing approximately 20 percent of the malignant cells without damaging non-cancerous cells.

Anthocyanins are 6 to 8 times more potent than vitamin C. And the acai berry contains the most highly concentrated forms of anthocyanins among all other fruits and vegetables. Our ancestors knew then of the many benefits of acai – it’s time we make these berries a large part of our diets too.

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Many acai berry products are laden with fillers that reduce the health benefits you’re supposed to be getting from this vitamin-packed fruit. Often these fillers can even be harmful to your body. Caffeine is a common ingredient that manufacturers add to what they label as energy drinks. Can acai and caffeine work together?

Caffeine is a logical choice because of the energy jolt it brings. It stimulates the central nervous system, warding off drowsiness and restoring alertness. The high caffeine content in coffee is what makes it a very popular beverage among students and employees in highly stressful or monotonous jobs.

The problem with caffeine is it can be habit-forming, and caffeine withdrawal has unpleasant side effects.

Whenever there’s a huge task at hand, we drink coffee to stay awake. Before an important contest, we take a bite of chocolate to add a bounce to our step. As caffeine stimulates the adrenals, it weakens them and creates fatigue with chronic use. The more you ingest caffeine, the more cups of coffee you’ll need to stay alert. Before you know it, you’ve become a caffeine addict.

Caffeine overdose presents a gamut of side effects. The most evident is nervousness, heart palpitations and insomnia. Many people who overuse caffeine tend to develop a dependence on tranquilizers and sleeping pills to keep them calm or help them sleep.

Caffeine boosts stomach acid production, so high usage over time can lead to peptic ulcers and gastro-esophageal reflux disease. Headaches, diarrhea and uterine fibroids are also common with heavy caffeine users.

As with many addictive substances, caffeine withdrawal is no fun. Quitting cold turkey after developing a habit of guzzling three to four cups of coffee a day can make you feel restless and irritable.

Caffeine withdrawal symptoms include hand trembling, anxiety, fatigue, upset stomach, insomnia, flushing, urinary system disturbance, gastrointestinal irritation, muscle twitching, confused speech, poor concentration, irregular or rapid heart beat, high blood pressure, heartburn, agitation, depression, and in worst cases, delusions, hallucinations, and psychosis.

The acai berry is a great energy-booster on its own. Adding caffeine, and all its side effects, will take away the health benefits the acai promises. Clearly, acai and caffeine don’t mix. So when buying acai berry juice drinks, make sure the label says caffeine-free.

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As with all other fruits, the acai berry in its purest form provides the body with vitamins and minerals that are essential to good health. But because the acai fruit is highly perishable, it has become impossible to avail of fresh berries outside of South America. In the United States, the acai is being sold on the market in forms of juice drinks, energy bars, smoothies and supplementary pills. And anyone taking these concoctions, especially those with heart disease, should be wary of mixing these acai products with their medication.

Energy drinks

Some acai berry products contain guarana, an ingredient commonly mixed with carbonated soft drinks, energy shots and herbal tea in Brazil.  Often used as a stimulant and appetite suppressant, guarana contains caffeine that’s a whopping five times as much as that in coffee. And any side effect related to caffeine will manifest itself in these acai berry drinks.

Diet Pills

Acai berries may cause you to lose appetite. While this is not a negative side effect for those who want to lose weight, acai-based diet pills should be taken with precaution. Many of these weight loss supplements contain very little acai and a lot of other ingredients that may have harmful side effects. Some of the reported side effects from these acai-based products include nausea, heart burn, indigestion, and headache or migraines. Consuming acai berries in large quantities can result in messy stool or acidic taste in the mouth due to excess in vitamin C and vitamin E. So the golden rule is to take everything in moderation. Before purchasing any energy drink or diet pill, always read the label. Stick to products that contain 100% pure acai to get all of the positive health and weight loss benefits and none of the harmful ingredients or side effects.

Your best bet is to buy acai berry products from reliable distributors which only sell juice and supplements made of true acai. 

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