Wonder Cure or Marketing Noose?

It’s finally here – the wonder cure that Americans have been waiting for. It’s called acai. Whether you are a member of The Fat Cow Hall of Fame, being ravaged by high blood sugar, or being overcome with cancer, you’re being told that acai is your key to optimal health and longevity. If you believe this, the Oprah and Dr. Oz marketing noose is already around your neck.

Acai berries are great. But acai drinks and other acai products are loaded with sugar – natural and otherwise. Remember your mom telling you to avoid sugar?

Most people don’t do it. The average American chokes down a whopping 160 pounds per year. A healthy human body can’t take more than 10 or 15 pounds annually.

Acai products are marketed as super-antioxidants.Cinnamon is light years ahead when it comes to antioxidant content, but you can get that for pennies on the acai dollar at your local grocery store – which is why marketers aren’t telling you about it.

Acai products do contain a negligible amount of anthocyanidins, natural substances that can be a huge asset to your cardiovascular system. But you can obtain quadruple the amount – for pennies on the acai dollar – from a big organic salad or bilberry (an over-the-counter nutritional supplement).

Still, neither cinnamon nor bilberry is a wonder cure. Nothing can overcome America’s addiction to bad habits, especially wanton sugar consumption. Want a real wonder cure? Remove the marketing noose and abandon sugar.

[Ed. Note: Shane Ellison’s entire career has been dedicated to the study of molecules – how they give life and how they take from it. He was a two-time recipient of the prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Grant for his research in biochemistry and physiology. He is a bestselling author, holds a master’s degree in organic chemistry, and has first-hand experience in drug design.Take advantage of his knowledge and insights to look and feel your best in 90 days.]

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