Last Updated on December 25, 2016 by Marc Seward
What is Camu Camu?
Looking for an exotic new way to get your vitamin c and antioxidants? How about boost your sense of wellbeing while you are at it? These are just some of the key features of the fruit Camu Camu.
Camu Camu is an amazing little fruit that grows along the riverbanks of Brazil and Peru. This fruit, which almost resembles a cherry, is just now getting recognition around the world for all of its amazing health benefits.
Natives of Brazil and Peru celebrate Camu Camu for its abilities to stimulate the immune system, protect against diseases, remove toxins from the body, amount many other benefits. Camu Camu, however, is mostly known for its extremely high vitamin C content, which is nearly 3% the volume of the fruit!
However, it should be noted that the vitamin C content of the fruit starts to decrease as the fruit ripens, which is unfortunately when the most robust flavors of the fruit emerge. This makes harvesting the fruit tricky, as the fruit has to be harvested at a time when the fruit is at its nutritional peak, yet has a nice flavor.
Most people enjoy the fruit when it is slightly less ripened so they can get the best of both worlds. Due to its delicate flavor, Camu Camu isn’t used to flavor much foods, however, it is a popular ice cream flavor and candy flavor of the region.
Because of its high antioxidant content and excellent nutritional value, Camu Camu is also marketed as an effective dietary supplement. With all of these wonderful health benefits coming to surface, Camu Camu is sure to become a popular fruit worldwide.
Camu Camu Health Benefits
Despite its small size, there is a lot going on in Camu Camu. From its rich nutritional content to its cognitive enhancing abilities, this little fruit is packed with a tremendous amount of health benefits. Below are some of its better known health properties and uses.
1) High in Vitamin C
First and foremost, Camu Camu is most enjoyed for its rich vitamin C content. Move over oranges, because when it comes to vitamin C, this tiny fruit has one of the highest naturally occurring concentrations of any known food source.
Our body needs vitamin C to function well and fight off infection. Since our bodies are incapable of creating vitamin C on its own, we have to find external forces of the vitamin, whether it is from food or supplements.
Some foods are fortified with vitamin C to boost its nutritional content, however, foods with naturally occurring vitamin C are more beneficial when it comes to absorption.
Vitamin C is important because it not only helps to prevent us from getting sick, but it also aids in cell production and is one of the key building blocks of collagen, keeping our skin young and supple.
By enjoying Camu Camu, you get to experience all of the benefits getting enough vitamin C has to offer such as protection from heart disease, high blood pressure, the common cold, osteoarthritis, and some forms of cancer. If you are looking for the ultimate protection in terms of health, Camu Camu is king.
2) Helps Protect Against Cancer
Camu Camu has a lot going for it, in terms of cancer protection. As mentioned above, getting enough vitamin C in your diet helps protect against some types of cancer, such as cervical cancer and skin cancer.
Camu Camu has a lot going for it, in terms of cancer protection. Along with its rich vitamin C content, the fruit is also loaded with antioxidants, which is known to inhibit the growth and spread of some types of cancer.
3) Effective Anti-inflammatory
If you suffer from an inflammatory condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, you know just how debilitating and painful it can be. Fortunately, Camu Camu is filled to the brim with natural anti-inflammatory compounds, nutrients, and powerful amino acids such as flavonols, anthocyanins, and catechins.
These powerful anti-inflammatory compounds address such inflammatory conditions as headaches, hemmorhoids, and arthritis. Adding this fruit to your diet can help boost your pain relief routine.
4) Protects Against Infection
One interesting feature of Camu Camu is its naturally occurring antiseptic qualities. Camu Camu contains antibacterial and antiviral properties, helping your immune system to fight off such viral and bacterial infections as E. coli.
If you have experienced the ravages of an E. coli sickness, you know to take all of the protection you can get. To get protection from a wide array of viral and bacterial infections, try taking a Camu Camu supplement or making the fruit a daily part of your diet.
5) Enhances Eye Health
Our eyes and our vision get taken for granted. We use our eyes for virtually everything, yet it is rare we take a minute to ensure the health of our eyes. Incorporating Camu Camu into your diet can change that, fortifying your body with eye-protecting antioxidants such as carotenoids.
Carotenoids ensure the health of your eyes and protect them from developing cataracts and protect your eyes from developing macular degeneration. As we age, our vision starts to degrade, however, adding Camu Camu to your diet can help keep your eyes and vision strong.
6) Improves Mental Health
Some studies have found that eating Camu Camu almost has a sedative effect on the body; protecting you from mood swings, easing nervous tension, and calming your mind.
Although its currently unclear exactly how Camu Camu does this, some experts believe it is the high magnesium content contained within the fruit. Those going through menopausal mood swings or are suffering from depression may want to try eating the fruit and see how it benefits their mood.
7) Aids in Digestion
Among its impressive list of nutritional qualifications, Camu Camu is also great for digestion because it is loaded with fiber. By getting enough fiber, you keep things moving along in your digestive system
You also enjoy the other health benefits of fiber, such as keeping balanced cholesterol levels and regulating insulin. By keeping your levels of insulin balanced, you also help protect against diabetes.
8) Increases Muscle Tone
If you are working out or would like to eat foods that ensure the health of your muscles, consider taking Camu Camu.
Filled with vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and antioxidants, Camu Camu protects the health of your muscles while facilitating their growth. While creating your work out and diet routine, adding Camu Camu will help boost your metabolism while refining your muscle tone.
How to Incorporate Camu Camu into your Diet
If you are looking to get nutritional value of Camu Camu at its fullest extent, you want to ingest it before it ripens. Unfortunately, this makes for a very sour fruit, so many people choose to ingest Camu Camu that’s been pulverized into a powder or pulp. If you want to take Camu Camu as a health supplement, you can purchase it in capsule form.
Camu Camu Side Effects
Currently there are no known side effects of Camu Camu. Camu Camu is also not know to interact with any medications and supplements. Always consult your physician before taking any supplement.
If you have been diagnosed with goat or any other afflictions associated with uric acid, eating Camu Camu or taking a Camu Camu supplement may increase your symptoms, so beware.
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