Effects of euterpe oleracea Martius (açaí) consumption on the nervous system: a literature review

Background: Euterpe oleracea Martius is an abundant palm in the Amazon region. Its fruit is consumed after pulper processing, to obtain the açaí drink, whose flavonoid-rich composition draws attention to its antioxidant properties and can be used slowing the progression of dementia and others neurological disorders. Objectives: to list what is known at the time of this review regarding the effects of the consumption of the pulp, juice or extract of the fruits of Euterpe oleracea Mart. on the nervous system. DESIGN AND SETTING: literature scan carried out in the PubMed database. Methods: made using the descriptors provided by the DeCS platform: (effects) AND (euterpe oleracea) OR (açaí) AND (nervous system). A total of 33 results were obtained. Using inclusion and exclusion criteria, 24 articles were selected. Results: a positive action of this plant was observed in the modulation of free radicals and prevention of premature aging, which reveals the ability of açaí to delay the natural deterioration of cognitive function that occurs with advancing age. In addition, flavonoids act in the perivascular sheath, aiding in the growth of neuronal cells, containment of neurotoxin-induced neuronal lesions and protecting from others neurotoxical compounds. Conclusions: there is still a need for further studies on this topic to ratify the açaí potential, in order to opening the way for new strategies to protect the nervous system’s functions. As a literature scan, this study does not have a PROSPERO registration.