What is camu camu?
Camu camu is a shrub that grows in the Amazonian floodplains in Brazil and Peru. Its berries are red and have a sour taste. They're rich in vitamin C (ascorbic acid or ascorbate), minerals, and several other nutrients. The berries are tart in taste and perishable, so they're rarely eaten raw. Camu camu must be specially processed and powdered to retain its nutrients.
Camu camu supplements, juices, and pills are widely available and have a variety of nutritional and health benefits.
Camu camu (Myrciaria dubia) is a South American shrub that grows in swampy and flooded areas. These shrubs bear red, cherry-like berries. The berries have shiny skin and one to four seeds. The pulp is very acidic, and the berries are seldom eaten in their natural state. Camu camu is processed and used as juice, puree, and powder. These forms are also used as food additives.
Camu camu nutritional content
Camu camu is packed with vitamin C. A 100 grams of pulp may contain 877 to 3,133 milligrams of the vitamin.
The berries of camu camu are rich in several other nutrients:
- Carbohydrates: glucose, fructose, pectin, and starch
- Minerals: calcium, copper, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium, and zinc
- Organic acids: citric acid, isocitric acid, and malic acid
- Fatty acids: linoleic, oleic, and stearic acids
- Polyphenols: flavonoids, lignans, phenolic acids, stilbenes, and tannins
- Anthocyanins: cyanidin-3-glucoside and delphinidin-3-glucoside
Vitamin C health benefits
Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid, which means against scurvy, a disease common among people who ate no fresh fruits and produce. It was especially common among those on board ships for long voyages. Scurvy results from the inactivation of enzymes needed for synthesizing essential molecules in the body, including collagen. Collagen is the most important structural protein in the body.
Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant. Almost all animals can make this molecule, but humans must get it from their food. Vitamin C is water-soluble and cannot be stored in the body. You must consume it regularly.
Collagen formation
Vitamin C is a cofactor for many enzymes that make collagen. About 30% of proteins in the body are collagen. Without vitamin C, the collagen formed is weak and unstable, leading to the symptoms of scurvy:
- Bleeding gums
- Bleeding in the skin or mucous membranes
- Brittle hair
- Delayed healing of injuries and fractures
- Bruising with a slight injury
Infection resistance
Vitamin C has antiviral effects. This molecule reduces the ability of herpes simplex, influenza type A, and picornaviruses to infect cells. High doses of vitamin C given intravenously to people with Ebstein-Barr virus (EBV) reduces disease duration.
Energy production
Vitamin C is needed for carnitine production, which has a crucial role in energy generation at the cell level.
Neurotransmitter formation
Dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin are molecules needed for message transmission along the nervous system. Vitamin C is needed to form them.
Hormone synthesis
Vitamin C is necessary for the formation of adrenal hormones. These hormones control response to stress, inflammation, and fight-or-flight responses.
Antioxidant
Ascorbic acid is a potent antioxidant. It reduces the damage caused by free radicals. This action prevents or delays diseases like heart disease, cancers of the breast, lungs, colon, stomach, esophagus, and others.
Iron absorption
Plant sources of iron contain non-heme iron, which the intestines cannot absorb. Vitamin C converts it to the ferrous form, which can be absorbed.
Camu camu antioxidant properties
Camu camu is rich in phenolic compounds and anthocyanins. These bioactive compounds have potent antioxidant action and can scavenge free radicals. Ripe berries have more anthocyanin, flavonol, and flavonol compounds but lesser vitamin C. Ripened fruits have higher antioxidant properties.
The antioxidant properties of camu camu go beyond those of its vitamin C content. People given camu camu juice in addition to vitamin C had better control of oxidative stress markers than those given vitamin C alone. Camu camu reduces total reactive oxygen species, urinary 8-OHdG levels, and other markers of oxidative stress.
Anti-inflammatory properties of camu camu
Camu camu has significant anti-inflammatory effects. Daily consumption of camu camu for seven days reduces inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6, and interleukin-8.
Reducing inflammation can benefit you in many ways. Many chronic diseases like Crohn's, celiac, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis have inflammation at their core. Other diseases with an inflammatory element are type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), Alzheimer's disease, and certain cancers. Inflammation is also a risk factor for heart disease.
Camu camu and blood pressure
Camu camu has some vasodilatory effects on the arteries. By dilation of the arteries, it can reduce blood pressure. This study was carried out on a small number of healthy, young people but is encouraging.
Effects on sugar metabolism
Disorders in sugar metabolism lead to diabetes and all its complications. Taking camu camu regularly reduces fasting blood glucose levels.
Lipid metabolism
Camu camu extract and synthetic vitamin C were given to two groups of people for 15 days. Both groups had an elevation of blood ascorbic acid level. The people taking camu camu extract had a reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol blood levels.
Eating camu camu
Camu camu berries are tart in taste and are seldom consumed raw. The berries are cooled immediately after harvesting to prevent nutrient loss. The juice is concentrated, spray dried, and made available as pills, powder, and juices.
Camu camu products should not be cooked or heated. Vitamin C is destroyed by heat. You can add camu camu powder to food after cooking. Steaming and microwaving reduce cooking losses.
Beyond treating disease
The Western diet is associated with several chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease. Treatment of these is associated with side effects and expense. Including health-promoting fruits and products like camu camu in your diet can help you enhance your health and avoid diseases.
QUESTION
See AnswerHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
Data in Brief: "Data on a single oral dose of camu camu (Myrciaria dubia) pericarp extract on flow-mediated vasodilation and blood pressure in young adult humans."
Jellum, L. Principles of Nutrition, Galileo, 2018.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine: "Antioxidant and associated capacities of Camu camu (Myrciaria dubia): a systematic review."
Medical Science Monitor: "Effect of high dose vitamin C on Epstein-Barr viral infection."
National Institutes of Health: "Vitamin C."
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity: "Antioxidant Properties of Amazonian Fruits: A Mini Review of In Vivo and In Vitro Studies."
PLoS One: "Morphological and genetic diversity of camu-camu [Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) McVaugh] in the Peruvian Amazon."
Revista Cubana de Plantas Medicinales: "Effect of camu-camu capsules on blood glucose and lipid profile of healthy adults."
US Department of Agriculture: "Camu Camu Extract Powder."
Top What Health Benefits Is Camu Camu Good For Related Articles
Supplement Smarts: Best Ways to Take Different Vitamins
Taking a vitamin supplement to cover your nutritional bases? Find out how and when to take it so your body gets the most from it.Signs You're Low on Vitamin C
Worried you're coming up short on vitamin C? Here are some telltale symptoms to watch out for.Vitamins and Calcium Supplements
Vitamins are organic substances that are essential for the proper growth and functioning of the body. Calcium is a mineral essential for healthy bones and is also important for muscle contraction, heart action, and normal blood clotting. Check out the center below for more medical references on vitamins and calcium supplements, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.What Vitamins and Supplements Should I Avoid During Pregnancy?
You should always clear it with your obstetrician before taking any vitamins or supplements while pregnant.Vitamins Quiz
Take the Vitamins & Supplements Quiz to learn just how many essential vitamins your body needs to function!Vitamins and Supplements: What Can You Take to Fight Inflammation?
Arthritis, intense exercise, and sugary or fatty foods are some of the things that can lead to inflammation. Here’s what you can take or add to your diet to help fight it.What Vitamins and Supplements Should I Take During Pregnancy?
Even if you eat a variety of nutritious foods, you may need to take pregnancy vitamins and supplements. This is especially true if you have a restricted diet, are pregnant with twins or multiples, have food allergies, or nutrient deficiencies. Talk to your doctor about your needs.What Is the Best Vitamin Supplement to Take?
Dietary supplements are a general term that includes vitamins, minerals, botanicals, probiotics and other products to supplement the diet. The best vitamin supplement differs from person to person depending on their gender, age and any health conditions they have.Vitamins and Supplements: What to Know Before You Take Herbal Supplements
Not all herbs and supplements are safe, especially if you have certain medical conditions or take some drugs. Find out which ones you may need to skip with the help of this WebMD slideshow.