Camu camu is a tropical fruit that can be the size of a large grape or a small nectarine and comes in season from November to May. This fruit can be found in the Amazonian jungle is usually harvested by canoes in the rainforest because it grows during the rainy season when waters are high. Camu is a natural source of vitamin C and is available as a powder made from pulp. The Amazonian Indians have used camu for centuries. They believed it had many uses besides as a food source. They used camu to keep the shine and health of their hair, to relieve pain, and to treat infections. They also believed it had the power to promote a long life.
As a food source, camu can be used in a variety of ways. It has a slightly sour taste, so Peruvians have used it to make jams, jellies, and sweets. It can also be used in drinks and cocktails, ice cream, shakes, truffles, and yogurts. In addition to being a food source, camu provides several health benefits. Rich in beta-carotene, calcium, potassium, and thiamin, the camu berry provides 10 times more iron, 3 times more niacin, 2 times more riboflavin, and 50% more phosphorus than its citrus competitors, which is very beneficial to the body.
The camu berry is one of the world’s most abundant sources of vitamin C-packing more than 60 times the amount per serving than the orange. This berry can have concentrations as high as 50,000 ppm or about 2 grams of vitamin C per 100 grams of fruit. Vitamin C is known to help the body in a variety of ways. Since there is such high concentrations of vitamin C in the camu berry, this berry can protect some of the vital organs and systems within the body. Camu can strengthen the immune system, repair tissues, and supports collagen production-the main structural protein found in connective tissue. This boost in immunity can help the body fight against infection, inflammation, and help heal all kinds of wounds by speeding up the healing process. Vitamin C has been shown to fight coronary artery disease, so the camu berry can help keep the heart healthy.
Vitamin C contains anthocyanin, which are antioxidant pigments that can help the brain stay healthy and also prevent cancer by protecting cells from damage and mutation. The camu berry can protect the nervous system and promotes optimal brain performance. Camu helps protect the brain from neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or Huntington’s disease, which can be caused by oxidative stress. The high ascorbic levels in the camu berry can be used to combat these types of conditions.
