Most people who’ve heard of acai berries knows that both of Oprah Winfrey’s good doctors–Dr. Nicholas Perricone (a dermatologist) and Dr. Mehmet Oz (a heart surgeon) gave it their thumbs up for being “one of the most nutrtitious and powerful fruits in the world.” But some people require more convincing than that.

So next time anyone throws doubt your way about the true health benefits of acai berries (clearer skin and a stronger, cleaner cardiovascular system notwithstanding), throw these facts back at them:

A University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences study found that the antioxidants in açai berry extract were effective in destroying human cancer cells and that they triggered a response in leukemia cells that had 86% of them self-destruct.

What’s more, a follow-up to that study, conducted in 2008, found that the human body easily absorbs the antioxidants contained in acai berries benefits.

Acai berries and purple grapes have a lot in common. Both are said to have anti-aging properties, powerful cancer fighting potential, and are good for the cardiovascular system, the nervous system, and the digestive system (among others). What’s more, they both contain a high concentration of powerful antioxidants, the antioxidant in purple grapes being called resveratrol. Resveratrol is particularly good for the heart specifically, and the very reason why proponents of red wine say that it is so good for the heart).

Resveratrol is also contained (albeit in smaller quantities) in the skin and peel of other foods, like mulberries, peanuts, certain seeds, and honeybee propolis.

In addition to being beneficial for the skin and the heart, and for its purported anti-aging properties in general, resveratrol is also said to have weight loss benefits in that it helps boost energy levels and metabolism, decreasing the craving to eat and increasing the motivation to exercise (or at least remain more active).  These are great acai berry weight loss tools.