Myrciaria dubia/Camu Camu is a small berry fruit that is mostly found in the Amazon basin. The tree is also named the same. It is a close relative of guavaberry. The scientific name of Camu Camu is Myrciaria dubia. It is native to South American Rainforest in Peru and Brazil but also commonly found in Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil. The fruit is also known by many other names such as Camu-Camu, Rumberry, Guavaberry, Cathcart, Camu-Camu, and Zamu Camu Berry. Camu Camu has hosted other names such as Brazil: Camu-Camu, Arazá De Agua; Spanish: Camo Camo, Guapuro Blanco; Columbia: Guayabo and others.
Camu camu Quick Facts
Name:
Camu camu
Scientific Name:
Myrciaria dubia
Origin
South American Rainforest in Peru and Brazil, also available in Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil.
Colors
Reddish-brown or purple-black
Shapes
Cherry, Diameter: 1.0–3.2 cm, Size:2-4 cm
Flesh colors
White
Taste
Sour
Calories
17 Kcal./cup
Major nutrients
Vitamin C (33 26.67%)
Manganese (91.74%)
Zinc (32.73%)
Copper (22.22%)
Iron (6.25%)
Health benefits
Cancer Prevention, Fertility, Eye Health, Prevent diabetes, Vitamin C Content
Camu Camu facts
Camu-Camu is a small plant that grows in South America. Human studies show that these fruits possess anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. More research is still needed because due to the high amount of vitamin C it could interact with certain chemo drugs.
Name
Camu camu
Scientific Name
Myrciaria dubia
Native
South American Rainforest in Peru and Brazil, also available in Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil.
Brazil : Camu-Camu, Arazá De Agua; Columbia : Guayabo; Peru : Camu-Camu, Camo-Camo; Spanish : Camo Camo, Guapuro Blanco; Venezeula : Guayabato, Guaiabito
Plant Growth Habit
Bushy, low-growing shrub
Growing Climate
Hot, damp tropical
Soil
Well-drained
Plant Size
1-3 m
Bark
Thin, pale to bronzy-brown
Stem
Smooth
Leaf
Evergreen, ovate or elliptic, length: 5 cm-12 cm, width: 2cm-4.5 cm
Edible parts of the plants
Juice is made by adding water, honey or sugar. It is also preserved in the form of jams, jellies, ice creams, drinks, liqueurs, pickles and wines. The juice is also sold as a carbonated drink and exported to use in Vitamin C tablets to the USA and other international markets.
Flowering Season
Dry
Flower
White, fragrant
Fruit shape & size
Cherry, Diameter: 1.0–3.2 cm, Size:2-4 cm
Fruit color
Reddish-brown or purple-black
Flesh color
White
Fruit peel
Thin and shiny
Flavor/aroma
Tart
Fruit Taste
Sour
Seed
2–3, large
Fruit Season
Rainy
Major Nutritions
Carbohydrate 4.7 g (3.62%)
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.04 mg (3.08%)
Magnesium, Mg 12.38 mg (2.95%)
Calcium, Ca 27 mg (2.70%)
Phosphorus, P 17 mg (2.43%)
Vitamin A 14.2 µg (2.03%)
Total dietary Fiber 0.6 g (1.58%)
Protein 0.5 g (1.00%)
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) 0.01 mg (0.83%)
Sodium, Na 11.13 mg (0.74%)
Health Benefits
Vitamin C Content
Anti-Inflammatory Activity
Cancer Prevention
Antiviral and Antibacterial Properties
Fertility
Eye Health
Help prevent diabetes
Improve Immune System
Improves Physical Performance
Supports Bone Health and Helps Prevent Osteoporosis
Calories in 1cup (100 gm)
17 Kcal
Traditional uses
The juice of Camu Camu was used to enhance the immune system, keep viral infections at bay and eliminate anxiety and stress.
It supports healthy gums, skin, nails, eyes, heart and nervous system.
The berry is used in medicinal folk remedies as an antiviral to treat infections.
Precautions
Camu Camu is rich in Vitamin C so excessive consumption of this fruit cause diarrhea and digestion problem.
Camu Camu assist in serotonin production so the surplus of serotonin causes side effects such as vomiting, lack of sleep, nausea, and loss of appetite.
Too much Vitamin C results in iron poisoning.
Camu in excessive quantity led to high heart and metabolic activity.
It reacts with chemotherapy drugs.
How to Eat
Due to the reddish color pigmentation, it is used to provide an attractive color to juices.
Camu Camu is also added to candies, ice-creams, and sweets.
The use of bark and stem in tea provides aid for diabetes.
The Camu Camu pulp is used in jam, yogurt, nectar, juice, etc.
The fruit is consumed as food.
Other Facts
Vitamin C is not produced by the human body so it should be obtained from dietary sources. Camu Camu is the source of Vitamin C in the highest concentration. One ounce of Camu Camu provides 50 times more vitamin C in comparison to orange.
It also possesses minerals, vitamins, and amino acids, and is a very strong antioxidant.
Camu camu Scientific Classification
Scientific Name: Myrciaria dubia
Rank
Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom
Plantae (Plants)
Order
Myrtales
Family
Myrtaceae
Genus
Myrciaria
Species
M. dubia
Synonyms
Eugenia divaricata Benth.
Eugenia grandiglandulosa Kiaersk.
Marlierea macedoi D.Legrand [Invalid]
Myrciaria caurensis Steyerm.
Myrciaria divaricata (Benth.) O.Berg
Myrciaria lanceolata O.Berg
Myrciaria obscura O.Berg
Myrciaria paraensis O.Berg
Myrciaria phillyraeoides O.Berg
Myrciaria riedeliana O.Berg
Myrciaria spruceana O.Berg
Myrtus phillyraeoides (O.Berg) Willd. ex O.Berg
Psidium dubium Kunth
Plant
It is a small shrub that is low-growing in nature. The shrub grows upto 1 to 3 m in height and has pale-bronzy bark which is thin. The plant survives in a hot, damp tropical climate. It prefers well-drained soils. The leaves are evergreen, ovate, or elliptic and 5 cm to12 cm long and 2 cm to 4.5 cm wide. The flowers are white and fragrant. The stem is smooth. The tree yields flowers during the dry season. The plant has various edible parts which act like a medicine and treat health ailments.
Fruit
Camu Camu is the berry-like fruit of the plants belonging to the Myrtaceae family and the Myrciaria genus. It has got the shape of a cherry. The fruit is circular with a diameter of 1.0 to 3.2 cm. It contains two to three large seeds. It is sour in taste with a tart flavor. The fruit is reddish-brown in color. At the times, the color also resembles purple-black. The flesh is whitish. The peel of the fruit is thin but shiny. The fruit season is during the rainy season.
Nutritional Value
Camu Camu is highly rich in Vitamin C. It contains antioxidant, astringent, emollient, anti-inflammatory, and nutritional properties. Camu Camu is a very good source of manganese, zinc, copper, and iron. It also possesses other nutrients and phytochemicals. It provides 56 times more Vitamin C than a lemon.
Nutritional value of Camu Camu
Serving Size: 1 Cup (100 g)
Calories 17 Kcal.Calories from Fat 1.8 Kcal.
Proximity
Amount
% DV
Water
94.4 g
N/D
Energy
17 Kcal
N/D
Energy
71 kJ
N/D
Protein
0.5 g
1.00%
Total Fat (lipid)
0.2 g
0.57%
Ash
0.2 g
N/D
Carbohydrate
4.7 g
3.62%
Total dietary Fiber
0.6 g
1.58%
Total Sugars
1.28 g
N/D
Fructose
0.95 g
N/D
Minerals
Amount
% DV
Manganese, Mn
2.11 mg
91.74%
Zinc, Zn
3.6mg
32.73%
Copper, Cu
0.2 mg
22.22%
Iron, Fe
0.5 mg
6.25%
Magnesium, Mg
12.38 mg
2.95%
Calcium, Ca
27 mg
2.70%
Phosphorus, P
17 mg
2.43%
Sodium, Na
11.13 mg
0.74%
Vitamins
Amount
% DV
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)
2,994 mg
3326.67%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
0.04 mg
3.08%
Vitamin A
14.2 µg
2.03%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)
0.01 mg
0.83%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
0.062 mg
0.39%
Carotenoids
355 µg
N/D
Phytochemicals
Amount
% DV
Flavanols
Catechin
2.2 mg
N/D
Quercetin (dry weight)
42 mg
N/D
Rutin
4 mg
N/D
Kaempferol (dry weight)
2.1 mg
N/D
Flavanones
Naringenin
6.9 mg
N/D
Eriodictyol
0.6 mg
N/D
Ellagic acid
490 mg
N/D
*Above mentioned Percent Daily Values (%DVs) are based on 2,000 calorie diet intake. Daily values (DVs) may be different depending upon your daily calorie needs. Mentioned values are recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are not rxharun.com recommendations. Calculations are based on average age of 19 to 50 years and weigh 194 lbs. Source: USDA
Health Benefits of Camu Camu
Camu Camu is not consumed as food due to its sourness in taste. Recent reports have marketed this fruit as a supplement dietary for curing cancer and diabetes. It possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Leaves also display pharmacological activity. But the research on the human study is still needed.
Vitamin C Content
Vitamin C vitalizes the production of white blood cells which enhances the immune system and produces collagen that repairs the tissues, cells, and organs. It provides Vitamin C 200 times more per ounce than banana.
2. Anti-Inflammatory Activity
The amino acids and nutrients which are found in Camu Camu such as catechins, anthocyanins, and flavonols act as anti-inflammatory substances. It relieves the pain and inflammation caused by arthritis, gout, headaches, and hemorrhoids. (1)
Cancer Prevention
Camu Camu is loaded with antioxidants which provide the prevention from cancers. It also prevents the growth as well as the spread of various types of cancers. An abundant amount of antioxidants is possessed in this fruit. (2)
Antiviral and Antibacterial Properties
The peel and seed possess phenolic constituents. Peel and seed extracts have an antimicrobial properties. The antiseptic properties eliminate viral and bacterial infections such as sexually transmitted diseases, herpes, and E.coli. So it becomes an effective dietary supplement for all because the immune systems are affected by external agents. (3)
Fertility
Camu protects the sexual organs by preventing infertility and also enhances the smooth functioning of these systems. (4)
Eye Health
Carotenoids act as an antioxidant and are able to protect the health of the eyes. It eliminates oxidative stress and also eliminates the macular degeneration and growth of cataracts. (5)
Help prevent diabetes
Though it possesses dietary fiber in fewer amounts, it enhances the digestive processes and balances the cholesterol levels which help to protect the heart. The research has shown that the intake of low fiber content and high glycemic load increases the chances of diabetes. They suggest consuming the dietary fiber in a minimally refined form which prevents diabetes. (6)
Improve Immune System
The research shows that Vitamin C helps those who have a weak immune system which is caused by stress. Stress is a common condition that is experienced by people. So, one should consume Vitamin C-rich fruit (Camu Camu) which helps to maintain overall health.
Improves Physical Performance
Adding Camu Camu to the diet helps to improve muscle strength and physical performance. Food rich in Vitamin C improves the intake of oxygen during the exercises and also lowers blood pressure. If Vitamin C is taken to the dose of 1000 to 2000 mg, it could reduce the production of histamines which lead to inflammation in asthmatic patients. It also helps the symptoms of asthma. In 100 gm of Camu Camu, 2994 mg of Vitamin C is obtained which is 3000% of the Daily Recommended Value.
Supports Bone Health and Helps Prevent Osteoporosis
Minerals such as zinc, copper, and calcium with manganese reduce bone loss in older women. The deficiency of manganese leads to the chances of bone-related disorders. Manganese forms the bone regulatory enzymes and hormones which are involved in bone metabolism. Camu Camu is loaded with copper, zinc, calcium, and manganese which provide strong and healthy bones.
Traditional uses
People use the juice of the fruit to enhance the function of the immune system, prevent stress, anxiety, and viral infections. It also promotes healthy skin, gums, eyes, nails, heart, and nervous system. It is used by medicinal folk remedies to treat infections.
How to eat
Camu Camu is consumed as food. It provides color to the juices due to the pigmentation of a reddish color. It is also added to the ice-creams, sweets and candies. The stem and bark are used in the tea which provides relief from diabetes. Camu could be also used in the form of jam, yogurt, nectar, juice, etc.
Precautions
Camu Camu is rich in Vitamin C so its high intake leads to diarrhea and digestion problems. It also helps in the production of serotonin which causes lack of sleep, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite, if consumed in excess amount. The excess Vitamin C leads to iron poisoning. The excessive use of Camu Camu increases heart and metabolic activity. It may react with the chemotherapy drugs.
Camu Camu, a tart cherry-like superberry from the Amazon, has an incredible antioxidant profile — including more vitamin C than any other food on earth!
1 teaspoon provides 10 times more vitamin C than an orange (760% DV).
Low-temperature dried to preserve its rich nutrients, Navitas Organics Camu Camu Powder fortifies your system to support immunity and long term vitality.
Easily add to smoothies, yogurt, salad dressings and more!
USDA Organic, Kosher, Non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, keto and paleo. Committed to accuracy and transparency, we third party test all products to verify quality and nutritional values.
