Most potent source of Vitamin C.
Camu Camu is the fruit of a tree that grows in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest, especially in areas where water is plentiful, surrounded by lakes and streams. Its scientific name is Myrciria Dubia, and is known by several common names, such as guava, myrtle, coconut-carette, and escobillo.
The fruit is a berry of 10 to 40 mm in diameter, red to violet, soft, with one to three seeds. Its weight varies between 2 and 20 grams, weighing an average of 8g.
Compared to other tropical fruits, Camu Camu is a highly concentrated source of vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
While an orange has 92 mg for every 100 g in the pulp, Camu Camu has 2780 mg for every 100 g.
Nutritional value:
- High in vitamin C, a true antioxidant source. 100 grams of pulp contains 30 times more of this vitamin than any other citrus fruit, 47 times more vitamin C than oranges and 63 times more than lemon.
- It also contains Calcium, Iron, Serine, Valine, Leucine, Glutamate, Aminobutanato, Proline, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Alanine, Niacin and Vit. B5, Phosphorus, Proteins, Riboflavin or B2 and Thiamin or B1.
Beneficial properties:
- It is a great flu shot.
- It is antidepressant, being used for stress relief.
- Its contribution to natural medicine is huge, with a high astringent, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and emollient effect.
- It detoxifies the body and strengthens the immune system.
- It is anti-hemorrhagic and reduces the risk of infections.
- Generates more sperm production.
- It is a great healing aid.
- Prevents cancer, stress and heart diseases.
- Fights scurvy. Promotes the absorption of nutrients, including iron, in the digestive system.
- Revitalizes the nervous system
- Promotes the formation of collagen, which is essential for the body because it holds many structures and assists in the formation of bones, teeth and gums, blood vessels and skin.
- Exerts a preventive and therapeutic action against cellular aggression, due to oxidation of free radicals
and is essential in those diets that require significant amounts of vitamin C.
- May be helpful in reducing and improving migraine headaches, herpes, gallstones and especially severe colds and flus.
The rural population in Loreto (a city in the Peruvian jungle) treats 36 diseases with Camu Camu: anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, cramps, baldness, cancer, cataract, headache, cerebral deficiency, cholesterol, diabetes, diarrhea, diuresis, body aches, stomach pain , gallbladder pain, constipation, female fertility, fever, liver, indigestion, inflammation, vaginal washing, bound, malaria,
obesity, osteoporosis, sexual potency, high blood pressure, lungs, colds, kidney, stomach, avitaminosis C.
There are no known drug interactions with consumption of Camu Camu, or irritation to the stomach by its acid flavor. It is recommended to consume with foods rich in iron that facility its absorption.
This fruit is recommended for most people, however, athletes, smokers, people with a lot of stress, sick patients, or people with a compromised immune system have an increased need of vitamin C and should take it frequently.
Recent investigations: Anti-aging effects research
Testing recently completed by Brunswick Labs2 demonstrates the anti-aging effects of camu camu superfruit.
In each test, of whole fruits, puree and freeze-dried powder, camu camu achieved higher results than any other fruits tested. Results also showed that camu camu reduced cellular free radical activity, inhibited the inflammatory agent, NFkB, and reduced UV-induced free radicals in the skin. It outperformed freeze-dried acai in two of three tests and performed as well or better than grape seed and cocoa extracts in all three tests on a dose-equivalent basis.
Doctors health press reports on study: Amazonian camu camu fruit can fend off obesity.
Doctors Health Press is reporting on a recent Brazilian study’s finding that Amazonian Camu Camu fruit could fend off obesity and other diseases associated with too much weight gain.
The study found that Camu Camu given to rats:
- Reduced fat levels in white adipose tissues
- Reduced glucose levels
- Reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL (bad) cholesterol
As Doctors Health Press e-Bulletin concludes, the researchers found that Camu Camu pulp was able to improve obesity symptoms. They also suggested that this Amazonian fruit could be used as a functional food to control the chronic diseases linked to obesity.
