This post will provide information on "What are the health benefits of camu camu (Myrciaria dubia)?" as will as provide answers to questions like: Where does camu camu come from? What is camu camu related to? What is and unique about the camu camu fruit? Is camu a citrus camu? Is camu camu good for your skin? Is camu camu good for the liver? What nutrients are in camu camu? Is camu camu anti inflammatory?
Myrciaria dubia, commonly known as camu-camu, camucamu, caçari, araçá-d'água, or camocamo, is a species of plant in the family Myrtaceae. It is a small bushy riverside tree from the Amazon rainforest in Peru and Brazil, which grows to a height of 3–5 m (9.8–16.4 ft) and bears a red/purple cherry-like fruit. It is a close relative of the jabuticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora) and the guavaberry or rumberry (Myrciaria floribunda). As much as 2-3% of the fresh fruit by weight is vitamin C. Camu-camu has small flowers with waxy white petals and a sweet-smelling aroma. It has bushy, feathery foliage. The evergreen, opposite leaves are lanceolate to elliptic. Individual leaves are 3–20 cm (1.2–7.9 in)m in length and 1–2 cm (0.39–0.79 in) wide. The camu-camu fruit is maroon or purple-black when fully ripe, around 25mm in diameter, with either sweet or acidic flesh.
Per 100 g of fresh fruit:
- Protein 0.4 g
- Carbohydrates 5.9 g
- Starches 0.44 g
- Sugars 1.28 g
- Dietary Fiber 1.1 g
- Fat 0.2 g
- Calcium 15.7 mg
- Copper 0.2 mg
- Iron 0.53 mg
- Magnesium 12.4 mg
- Manganese 2.1 mg
- Potassium 83.9 mg
- Sodium 11.1 mg
- Zinc 0.2 mg
- Vitamin C: ranges from 1882–2280 mg depending on ripeness
- Camu camu is rich in vitamin C, a vitamin that acts as a powerful antioxidant in your body and is vital for the health of your skin and immune system
- Camu camu contains a combination of antioxidants that combat reactive molecules called free radicals, which may particularly benefit the health of those who smoke
- Camu camu has been shown to reduce inflammatory markers
- Camu camu may have antibacterial properties and could help reduce blood pressure, weight, and blood sugar levels
Camu camu is an excellent source of vitamin C. Still, if taken in excess, it may lead to digestive upset or iron overload in susceptible people
Consuming excessive amounts of vitamin C may cause digestive upset, such as diarrhea and nausea