Camu Camu - powerful antioxidant

Have you ever tried camu camu berries? If not, then you definitely will after reading this blog.

Camu camu berry (Myrciaria dubia) is a native Amazonian fruit that grows in the swampy areas of the Amazon rainforest as well as in several regions of South America. Due to its sour taste, it is seldom eaten in raw form but rather used in the form of juices, blended foods, or processed into a pill or powder form that can be taken as supplements.

The berries have gained popularity all around the world as a super fruit due to their amazing health benefits. But are they actually worth the hype? Let’s find out.

Astonishing Nutritional Facts about Camu Camu Berries

Where camu camu is known for its numerous health benefits, its nutritional value is itself mind-blowing.

It is one of the most concentrated natural fruits loaded with vitamin C. A 100-gram of fruit pulp contains up to 3mg of ascorbic acid making it one of the richest sources of vitamin C among plants.1 Its vitamin C content is even 50 times higher than that of the lemon and oranges. When converted into a powdered supplement, a small teaspoon (5g) of it can provide 750% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) of vitamin C.

Along with vitamin C, camu camu also contains other powerful anti-oxidants including anthocyanins and ellagic acid. Research says that the levels of these anti-oxidants in this berry are the highest among all Brazilian fruits.2 Moreover, polyphenols like flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannic acid, etc, in the berry further increase the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the fruit.

Lastly, camu camu offers a variety of minerals, including sodium, potassium, calcium, zinc, magnesium, etc.

Amazing Benefits of Camu Camu Berries

Now the most awaited part – is the health benefits of camu camu berries. A lot of research has been done to date which shows that this fruit single-handedly provides many beneficial effects on health. The major ones are described below;

 

*Provide Anti-oxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects

The anti-oxidants present in camu camu protect your body against the harms of free radicals which are responsible for causing many health conditions including cardiovascular diseases and cancer. For instance, a study has shown that those smokers, who drank only 70ml (0.3 cups) of camu camu juice daily, had significantly lower levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in their bodies than those in the control group.3

* Boost Immunity

Vitamin C present in the camu camu berry along with minerals like iron, zinc, and potassium, inhibits the synthesis of inflammatory mediators while inducing the synthesis and functioning of immune cells in the body. It helps in faster recovery from ailments like the common cold.4

*  Enhances Collagen Production

Collagen is present in the skin, gums, bones, and cartilage. The vitamin C present in camu camu berries increases the synthesis of collagen I bodies. This in turn may help in reversing the signs of skin aging caused by collagen depletion. Besides, your bones and teeth also become strong.

*  Increases Energy Levels

A study conducted in mice has shown that camu camu alters the body's metabolism resulting in increased production or expenditure of energy. So, the fruit can prove a good option to power up your day.5

*  Decreases Blood Pressure

The nutrients and minerals like potassium in this berry dilate your blood vessels and bring down your blood pressure. 6 Therefore, the fruit can help hypertensive patients in regulating their blood pressure.

* Reduces Weight

Camu camu berry also helps in reducing weight. A study conducted in mice in 2019 demonstrated that when camu camu was given along with a high-sugar and high-fat diet, it positively altered the gut microbiome, burned calories, and reduced obesity.5

* Other Benefits

The berries also offer other health benefits like improving liver functions, decreasing blood levels of sugar, cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and also enhance cardiovascular health. The list goes on.

Bottom Line

Camu camu berries are a super fruit loaded with vitamin C, minerals, and powerful antioxidants. They provide many health benefits including anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, immune-modulating, and anti-aging effects. Besides, they also help in regulating healthy weight, sugar, and blood pressure.


 

References

  1. Šmíd J, Kalousová M, Mandák B, Houška J, Chládová A, Pinedo M, Lojka B. Morphological and genetic diversity of camu-camu [Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) McVaugh] in the Peruvian Amazon. PLoS One. 2017 Jun 28;12(6):e0179886.
  2. Langley PC, Pergolizzi Jr JV, Taylor Jr R, Ridgway C. Antioxidant and associated capacities of Camu camu (Myrciaria dubia): a systematic review. The journal of alternative and complementary medicine. 2015 Jan 1;21(1):8-14.
  3. Inoue T, Komoda H, Uchida T, Node K. Tropical fruit camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Journal of cardiology. 2008 Oct 1;52(2):127-32.
  4. do Nascimento OV, Silva EL. CAMU-CAMU (Myrciaria dubia (HBK) McVaugh), a small Amazonian fruit rich in vitamin C and a supplement for immunity. Research, Society and Development. 2021 May 30;10(6):e27810615877-.
  5. Anhê FF, Nachbar RT, Varin TV, Trottier J, Dudonné S, Le Barz M, Feutry P, Pilon G, Barbier O, Desjardins Y, Roy D. Treatment with camu camu (Myrciaria dubia) prevents obesity by altering the gut microbiota and increasing energy expenditure in diet-induced obese mice. Gut. 2019 Mar 1;68(3):453-64
  6. Miyashita T, Koizumi R, Myoda T, Sagane Y, Niwa K, Watanabe T, Minami K. Data on a single oral dose of camu camu (Myrciaria dubia) pericarp extract on flow-mediated vasodilation and blood pressure in young adult humans. Data in brief. 2018 Feb 1;16:993-9.
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