Camu camu, or Myrciaria dubia, is a sour
berry, similar to cherry in color.
It's native to the Amazon rainforest but
has gained popularity worldwide due to its many purported health benefits.
Fresh camu camu berries are tart in
flavor, which is why they're commonly found in supplement form as powders,
pills, or as a juice.
Camu camu is considered a superfood -
mainly due to a high content of certain nutrients and powerful plant compounds,
including vitamin C.
Camu camu is rich in vitamin C, a
vitamin that acts as a powerful antioxidant in your body and is vital for the
health of your skin and immune system.
Camu camu contains a combination of
antioxidants that combat reactive molecules called free radicals, which may
particularly benefit the health of those who smoke.
Camu camu has been shown to reduce
inflammatory markers, but further research is needed to clarify these findings.
Camu camu may have antibacterial
properties and could help reduce blood pressure, weight, and blood sugar
levels. However, more research is needed to support these findings.
Camu camu is very sour, making it
unpleasant for most people to eat on its own.
Instead, you can find camu camu in the
form of pulp, puree, and juice - often sweetened to improve taste.
Still, the berry is most popular in
powder form. This makes sense, as the water is removed, making the
concentration of camu camu higher and prolonging shelf-life.
Camu camu powder can be easily added to
smoothies, oats, muesli, yogurts, and salad dressings. Combining it with other
flavors masks the sour taste and makes it more palatable.
A good tip is to always add camu camu to
food after cooking to prevent the loss of nutrients from the heat, especially
vitamin C (21Trusted Source).
Aside from these forms, camu camu is
available as extracts and concentrated supplements.
You
may find these products online.
