Nutrient in camu camu

Camu camu, or Myrciaria dubia is native to the Amazon rainforest but has gained popularity worldwide due to its many purported health benefits. It is a sour berry, similar to cherry in color.

Camu camu fruit contains many nutrients including vitamin C, beta-carotene, fatty acids, protein, and others. It also contains other chemicals that might have an effect on the body.

It also contains an estimated 355 micrograms of carotenoids. In camu camu fruit, lutein is the dominating carotenoid along with beta-carotene and zeaxanthin.

Camu camu is rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting body cells from unstable molecules called free radicals. Camu camu is estimated to contain up to 3 grams of vitamin C per 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of fruit.

Beyond vitamin C, camu camu is also a good source of one of the most important minerals for a healthy heart and kidneys; potassium. Potassium is an electrolyte, which means it conducts electrical impulses throughout the body and assists with muscle contractions, digestion, blood pressure, and other critical biological functions.

Camu camu also contains numerous polyphenols, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, stilbenes, and lignans.

The amount found in camu camu depends on how mature the fruit is when plucked from the plant and which extraction methods are used.
Nutrient in camu camu

Vitamin C content in camu-camu

The exotic camu-camu is grown in the nutrient-rich rain forests soil of Peru and other hot and damp tropical climates. The plant bears cherry-sized berries that are highly acidic, very tart, and are often sweetened to please human palette.

In the north-east region of Peru, people sometimes eat the fairly acidic camu-camu fruits fresh, but traditionally they have used them to make refreshments and liquors.

Camu-camu fruits have a higher vitamin C content, which is of particular use in treating a wide range of ailments, and they also possess important metabolites for nutrition and health. Vitamin C helps with immunity, tissue repair and healing as well as with cancer and cataract prevention.

In case anybody injured or have had a surgery , taking large quantities of vitamin C can help speed up the healing process.

The camu-camu berry is one of the world’s most potent sources of vitamin C – packing more than 60 times the amount preserving than the almighty orange.

Oranges often have around 1,000 ppm of vitamin C, while the camu-camu berry can have concentration as high as 50,000 ppm or about 2 grams of vitamin C per 100 grams of fruit.
Vitamin C content in camu-camu

Fruit of camu-camu

Camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) is a small tree that grows 4-8 m in height, in the humid tropics, at altitudes of around 100 m above sea level.

Natural populations of camu-camu occur most often along the edges of black-water rivers, throughout the Amazon Basin and into the Orinoco Basin. Sometimes it is found along white-water rivers, but in this case generally in oxbow lakes and abandoned channels where sediments are not so abundant.

Camu-camu fruit is edible but is less frequently consumed raw because of its high acidity which dominates its flavor. Camu-camu fruits have a higher vitamin C content, which is of particular use in treating a wide range of ailments, and they also possess important metabolites for nutrition and health.

Camu-camu also contains certain amino acids that support the immune system, as well as act as an astringent, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-depressant.

The fruit find excellent use as a refreshing juice with added water, sugar or honey, and is more popularly used for making jellies, jams, drinks, ice creams, pickles, liqueurs, wines, and it can be used in the enrichment of other foods or fruits.
Fruit of camu-camu