The Açaí palm is native to Central and South America, from Belize southward to Brazil and Peru. The palms are fast growing, and are cultivated for their fruits, for which the demand has increased rapidly in the recent years. The fruit is small, round, and black/purple in color. The appearance is similar to a grape but has less pulp. These berries are harvested as food, and in a study of three traditional populations in the Amazon region of Brazil, açaí berries were described as the most important plant species because the fruit makes up such a major component of their diet. Recently, the açaí berry has been marketed as a highly beneficial dietary supplement, and has been sold in the form of tablets, juice, smoothies, instant drink powders, and whole fruit. Marketers claim that açaí berries increase energy levels, improve sexual performance, improve digestion, detoxify, are high in fiber and antioxidant content, improve skin appearance, improve sleep, and reduce cholesterol. Açaí is most commonly marketed as a weight loss product.