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, infection?, or irritation, often causing pain?, swelling?, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation?, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।" data-rx-term="anti-inflammatory" data-rx-definition="Anti-inflammatory means reducing inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।">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.

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 insulin? is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">diabetes?. It possesses infection?, or irritation, often causing pain?, swelling?, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation?, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।" data-rx-term="anti-inflammatory" data-rx-definition="Anti-inflammatory means reducing inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।">anti-inflammatory? and antioxidant activities. Leaves also display pharmacological activity. But the research on the human study is still needed.

1. 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)

3. 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)

4. 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)

5. Fertility

Camu protects the sexual organs by preventing infertility and also enhances the smooth functioning of these systems. (4)

6. 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)

7. 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)

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

From Where To Buy

Navitas Organics Camu Camu Powder, 3 oz. Bag, 17 Servings — Organic, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free

• 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.

$19.46

Buy Now On Amazon.com Price incl. tax, excl. shipping

References