Camu camu is a type of fruit grown on shrubs in flooded and swampy areas of the Peruvian Amazon as well as Brazil, Columbia, and Bolivia.
This fruit and products containing it have become popular due to its reported health benefits. Camu camu is typically found in supplements, pills, purees, and juices rather than eaten raw due to its tart flavor.
Read this article to learn more about the nutrients found in camu camu, its health benefits, and different ways to consume it.
Camu camu is a
Vitamin C
Camu camu is rich in vitamin C. In fact, it is one of the most significant sources of this vitamin among plants, containing about
Minerals
Camu camu is an excellent source of a variety of minerals. The minerals found in camu camu include:
- sodium
- potassium
- calcium
- zinc
- magnesium
- manganese
- copper
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are compounds that
While the body has a natural defense mechanism to combat free radicals, antioxidants found in food can help decrease their numbers even further.
Powerful antioxidants found in camu camu are ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and two anthocyanin compounds: cyanidin-3-glucoside and delphinidin-3-glucoside. According to
It is hard to determine the exact amount of these compounds found in camu camu because the levels change based on factors including where it was grown and soil composition. Regardless, camu camu appears to be a great source of antioxidants.
Polyphenols
Polyphenols are a group of chemicals found in plants that are known to have many health benefits.
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. However,
While there is still much to learn about the health benefits of camu camu, recent studies show that consuming this fruit may be beneficial for overall health.
For example, one
An
A
Lastly,
To date, there are no known risks or concerns associated with consuming camu camu products.
However, ingesting too much of any food or supplement may have negative consequences. People should talk with a doctor before taking supplements.
People are unlikely to find the fruit in its original form at the grocery store. Camu camu is also very sour, so people might not enjoy the taste.
However, other forms of camu camu are available, such as the pulp, purees, pills, powder, and juice. The powdered form is most popular because a person can easily add it to smoothies, yogurt, fruit salads, oatmeal, and other foods.
Camu camu is a fruit that is gaining popularity due to its purported health benefits. It is nutritionally dense and contains high amounts of vitamin C, antioxidants, and polyphenols.
Finding this fruit in its original form is challenging, but other options are available, such as supplements, juices, pills, and purees.