Camu Camu, not only is it fun to say but it’s super important to have in your diet!
A very sour and not so tasty berry, camu camu is most commonly found in a dried and powdered supplementary form to mix with your favourite foods and drinks. But why is it so great?
Great source of Vitamin C
Consuming camu camu in its powdered and dehydrated form makes for a far more concentrated source of Vitamin C than eating it fresh would. Just 5 grams of dehydrated camu camu can provide 682mg or 760% of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C for an adult!
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient and is necessary for a number of functions and processes. It is not made naturally by the body meaning we rely on what we eat or drink to provide an adequate supply. It is also water-soluble so is safely tolerated in high amounts and not stored in the body unnecessarily.
Vitamin C is a key player in maintaining a healthy immune system and assists the body with iron absorption. It also helps to protect and keep our cells healthy as well as assisting in maintaining the health of our skin, blood vessels, bones, and cartilage. [1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23747864/
Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant
Camu Camu has been shown in controlled studies to provide more anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties than other sources of Vitamin C. [2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18922386/
This appears to be due to the additional presence of antioxidants such as anthocyanins and ellagic acid. These compounds help protect your cells from damage-causing free radicals and can reduce the symptoms of inflammation by inhibiting inflammatory enzymes in the body. [3]
Gut Health
Initial studies have shown promising evidence that camu camu can assist in maintaining a healthy gut. Although more research is needed to fully understand the potential of camu camu in the realm of gut health, indications show that the berry may have overall positive effects on the bacteria found in the gut. Equally as exciting is a study that showed camu camu peel and seeds reduce bacterial growth when placed in test tubes with harmful bacteria such as Streptococcus and E Coli. [4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28475419/
Weight Control, Blood Pressure, and Blood Sugar
Another promising development in the potential benefits of Camu Camu is its ability to help control and minimise risk factors such as high blood pressure and spikes in blood sugar levels.
Studies in animals have indicated that the berry may increase calorie burning to support a healthy weight level as well as reducing the accumulation of fat. Camu Camu supplementation was also shown to support metabolic health, reduce spikes in blood sugar caused by high carb meals and help balance healthy blood pressure. [5] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30064988/
