Are Acai Berry Juice and Acai Berry Supplements Safe for Breastfeeding Mothers?

A reader wrote to me to ask:

I have heard the Acai berry/juice is good for boosting energy. I have read several articles stating it was safe to take while pregnant/nursing but I would like get an opinion from someone who isn’t going to profit from a sale. Thank you for your advice.

Disclaimer

I am not a doctor and I have no training regarding herbal remedies. I cannot offer medical advice. I am happy, though, to provide guidance on finding information about herbal supplements and breastfeeding, and information on the acai berry (Açaí — a berry from the acai palms native to Central and South America) and its consumption by nursing mothers. Then it’s up to you to seek medical advice from a professional and make your own decision based on all the information!

Foods In General

First of all, my general rule of thumb regarding whether a certain food (not including known intoxicants and herbal remedies) is safe to consume for breastfeeding mothers is everything in moderation. A little here or there in a diet of a wide variety of foods is unlikely to cause a problem. HOWEVER, before you start consuming a concentrated form of the food (as in an herbal remedy) or consuming significant portions of a single food, it is a good idea to consider whether the item is safe for lactating mothers. There are two primary concerns: (1) safety for the nursling who might receive some effect through the breast milk, and (2) impact on the mother’s milk supply.

Resources on Herbal Supplements and Breastfeeding

Here are two good resources when you have a question about a particular herbal supplement and lactation:

~ Kellymom.com: Herbs and Breastfeeding
~ Thomas W. Hale, Ph.D. Lactation and Medications Forum: threads on herbal medications (Please note that questions may only be posted to Dr. Hale by lactation professionals, but the forums are open to viewing by anyone.)

Acai Berry, Acai Berry Juice, Acai Berry Supplements

There is very little information on acai berries and breastfeeding. Dr. Hale says to be cautious, both because we don’t know much if anything about its use in breastfeeding mothers, and because the internet is full of warnings about fake berries. While the occasional berries or juice in moderation might be alright, consuming greater amounts or supplements comes with an unknown amount of risk at this point.