There are many reasons why you need to get vitamin C from your daily diet. As an essential nutrient, vitamin C is necessary for the formation of certain biomolecules, as well as the growth, repair and protection of tissues. [1] However, it cannot be produced by the human body. It is also water-soluble, meaning it readily dissolves in water. This makes vitamin C easy to deliver to tissues but difficult to store, so you need to consume reliable sources of this nutrient every day. [2]
According to the National Institutes of Health, teenage girls need to get 65 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C, while teenage boys need 75 mg, daily. Adult women need the same amount of vitamin C as teenage boys, while adult men need to get 90 mg from their daily diet. [3] To meet these requirements, experts recommend taking supplements or eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, particularly citrus fruits and leafy greens. Peppers, tomatoes, potatoes and mangoes are also considered excellent sources of vitamin C. [4]
But there’s one superfood that has gained traction recently for being one of the best sources of natural vitamin C: camu camu. An ancient fruit from South America, this sour berry is said to deliver an impressive 3 grams (g) of vitamin C per 100 g of pulp. [5] This amount is higher than what popular vitamin C-rich fruits like guava (228 mg), grapefruit (49.15 mg) and orange (58.3 mg) have to offer. [6][7]
Camu camu: Profile of a superfruit
Camu camu, also known as cacari or guayabo, is the fruit of the Myrciaria dubia tree, which can be found growing along riverbanks in the Amazon Rainforest. [8] Native to Peru, Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela, this colorful fruit is commonly used by locals as a natural remedy. In Peru, the bark of the camu camu tree is also used to make a poultice to support your body’s natural ability to heal. [9]
Although camu camu has become a popular food ingredient in recent years, its acidic taste prevents people from enjoying the fruit on its own. This is why camu camu is typically sold in powder form, which allows it to be easily added to recipes and beverages or taken as a supplement. And because all of its water content has been removed, camu camu powder delivers more vitamin C per gram than fresh camu camu berries. [10]
Besides vitamin C, camu camu contains plenty of other essential nutrients. Here’s what you can get from a 1 cup-serving (100 g) of camu camu: [11]
- Protein, 1% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Dietary fiber, 1.58% of the DV
- Vitamin A, 2% of the DV
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), 3% of the DV
- Vitamin C, 3,326% of the DV
- Calcium, 2.7% of the DV
- Copper, 22% of the DV
- Iron, 6% of the DV
- Magnesium, 3% of the DV
- Manganese, 92% of the DV
- Zinc, 33% of the DV
Chemical analysis also reveals that camu camu contains healthy fats, such as the omega-6 fatty acid, linoleic acid, and the omega-9 fatty acid, oleic acid. [12]
Camu Camu also offers a wide variety of beneficial phytonutrients. Some of the active compounds present in camu camu are catechin, quercetin, rutin, naringenin, eriodictyol and ellagic acid, all of which are known for their antioxidant properties. A study published in the journal Food Chemistry also reveals that camu camu has plenty of antioxidant carotenoids, such as lutein, beta carotene, violaxanthin and luteoxanthin. [13]
In addition to carotenoids, camu camu also contains anthocyanins, which are plant pigments commonly found in red, blue and purple fruits and vegetables. Like carotenoids, anthocyanins are also potent antioxidants that offer protective benefits for your heart, eyes and skin. [14] The two major anthocyanins found in camu camu are cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) and delphinidin-3-glucoside (myrtillin).
C3G is the same compound found in colored legumes like cowpeas and lentils. [15] According to a study published in the journal Inflammopharmacology, C3G is a highly bioavailable compound that’s easily absorbed in the gut. [16] Studies show that besides protecting cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals, C3G can also help you maintain healthy blood sugar and blood triglyceride levels that are already within the normal range. [17]
Meanwhile, myrtillin, which can also be found in blueberries, eggplant, pomegranates, tomatoes and red onions, has been shown to protect tissues against oxidative injury. For instance, a study published in the journal PLOS ONE reported that myrtillin can support the healthy functions of your blood vessels by keeping endothelial cells safe from harmful free radicals. [18] Endothelial cells form the inner lining of your blood vessels which serves as a barrier between your blood and vessel walls. [19]
Health benefits of organic camu camu*
Thanks to its impressive nutrient and phytonutrient profile, particularly its high vitamin C content, camu camu can support the optimal health of various organs and organ systems, such as the liver, eyes, skin, cardiovascular system, immune system and digestive system.
Here’s how, according to science:
- Cardiovascular system – As a potent antioxidant, vitamin C helps neutralize free radicals that target lipids for oxidation. Oxidized lipids are one of the biomolecules that often get trapped along blood vessels, causing blockage that impedes blood flow. By protecting lipids from oxidation, the vitamin C in camu camu can support the normal functions of your blood vessels, which is important for a healthy cardiovascular system. [20] A study published in the journal Data in Brief also suggests that the active components of camu camu can help you maintain healthy blood pressure levels that are already within the normal range. [21]
- Immune system – Like every type of cell in your body, your immune cells are also prone to oxidative damage. This is why they contain a certain amount of vitamin C, which they absorb from your blood. According to a study published in Frontiers in Immunology, having adequate levels of vitamin C is crucial for keeping your immune cells healthy. [22] By helping you maintain healthy vitamin C levels, camu camu can support the optimal functions of your immune system.
- Digestive system – Several studies have shown that keeping a healthy gut microflora is key to maintaining a healthy digestive system. One way of ensuring this is to eat foods rich in fiber and vitamin C. According to researchers from the Netherlands, vitamin C can help you keep a balanced composition of gut microbes, which is important for healthy digestive function. They also found that the nutrient favors the growth of good gut microbes which have been linked to supporting healthy immune and metabolic functions. [23] As a rich source of vitamin C, camu camu can support the health of your digestive system.
- Liver – According to a study published in the journal Bioscience, Biotechnology & Biochemistry, camu camu contains an active compound called 1-methylmalate, which can support healthy liver function. [24] Meanwhile, a study published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition reported that vitamin C can support a healthy liver by allowing beneficial microbes that positively affect liver function to thrive. [25]
- Eyes – As mentioned earlier, camu camu contains different types of carotenoids, including lutein and beta carotene. Beta carotene is a precursor to vitamin A, which is known to support healthy vision. Lutein, meanwhile, is a powerful antioxidant that accumulates in the retina, where it helps protect the macula by absorbing harmful blue, violet and ultraviolet light. [26][27] The macula is the part of your eye responsible for providing clear, sharp, straight-ahead vision. [28]
- Skin – Camu camu can support healthy, glowing skin by providing you with high amounts of antioxidant vitamin C. Aside from protecting your skin cells from free radical damage, vitamin C also supports your body’s natural production of collagen. An important structural protein, collagen is not only involved in your body’s natural ability to heal, but is also responsible for keeping your skin smooth and firm. [29]
- Mood – Aside from your organs, your mood can also benefit from the nutrients in camu camu. Research shows that having low levels of vitamin C and magnesium can negatively affect your mental health. [30][31] As a good source of both nutrients, the addition of camu camu to your regular diet can help support a positive mood.
Where to get gluten-free, lab-verified organic camu camu powder
Widely considered to be one of the most concentrated sources of natural vitamin C, camu camu has gained considerable popularity in recent years. But vitamin C is not the only good thing this superfood has to offer: Packed with potent, plant-derived antioxidants and other essential nutrients like vitamins A and B2, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese and zinc, this sour berry from South America is a worthy addition to a healthy, well-balanced diet.
Groovy Bee® Organic Camu Camu Powder is a nutritious whole fruit powder that allows you to easily incorporate camu camu into your daily routine. Made from the fresh organic berries of Myrciaria dubia trees grown in the pristine soils of rural Peru, this premium powder can easily be added to healthy drinks and recipes and is a great alternative to most vitamin C supplements.
Because many of the vitamin C products sold on the market are derived from genetically modified corn, it is difficult to find a clean, high-quality source of vitamin C besides whole foods. Groovy Bee® Organic Camu Camu Powder is not only lab verified for cleanliness and purity, but it is also loaded with all the health-supporting nutrients and phytonutrients found in fresh camu camu berries.
Groovy Bee® Organic Camu Camu Powder contains no gluten or GMOs and is certified Kosher and organic. It is also vegan, non-China, non-irradiated and is not treated with sewer sludge. And like all products offered by the Health Ranger Store, this ultra-clean organic camu camu powder is meticulously lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
Boost your intake of vitamin C and other potent antioxidants and essential nutrients with clean, lab-verified organic camu camu powder!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any diseases.
References
[2] https://www.hsph.harvard.edu
[4] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com
[5] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[6] https://www.nutrition-and-you.com
[7] http://www.ifrj.upm.edu.my
[9] https://www.herbalgram.org
[10] https://www.healthline.com
[11] https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com
[12] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[13] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[14] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[15] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[16] https://link.springer.com
[18] https://journals.plos.org
[19] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[20] https://www.mdpi.com
[21] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[22] https://www.frontiersin.org
[23] https://www.mdpi.com
[25] https://www.frontiersin.org
[26] https://www.verywellhealth.com
[27] https://www.naturaleyecare.com
[28] https://www.verywellhealth.com
[29] https://lpi.oregonstate.edu
[30] https://www.mayoclinic.org
[31] https://centrespringmd.com
