• berry image by Henryk Olszewski from Fotolia.com
  
  The Acai berry is a small, purple fruit harvested in the Amazon rain-forests of South America. It has been touted as a miracle fruit, high in antioxidants, and purported to slow aging, reverse heart disease, and even prevent cancer. While numerous studies support the health benefits of Acai, there are some side effects to this small nutrient power-house.
  
  

Allergic Reactions

• Acai has been reported to cause allergic reactions, such as sneezing, watery eyes, skin rashes and even swelling of the glands and throat in people who are sensitive to the berry or have fruit allergies. People with pollen and palm allergies have also reported allergic reactions to the Acai berry.
  
  

Stimulant Effect

• The Acai berry contains a naturally occurring stimulant called theobomine, which is chemically related to caffeine. Excessive consumption of Acai can cause jitters, heart palpitations and sleeplessness. The Mayo Clinic cautions against an over-consumption of caffeine and other stimulant-containing foods and supplements because of these troublesome side-effects.
  
  

Interference with Chemotherapy

• The Sloan-Kettering website states that, "Due to its antioxidant effects, Acai may interfere with the actions of certain chemotherapy drugs." Although the antioxidants in Acai are known to protect cells by destroying harmful free-radicals, there is concern among oncologists that they may also protect cancer cells, thereby reducing the effectiveness of cancer therapies. In one study, breast cancer patients given large quantities of antioxidant therapies had a survival rate worse than those not taking antioxidants. For this reason, oncologists often advise patients against taking large quantities of Acai and other antioxidants during chemotherapy.