5 Amazing Health Benefits of Camu Camu
Camu Camu is rich in Vitamin C. It may prevent common conditions like cold and fatigue.
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The camu camu berry, a superfood native to the Amazon rainforest, is gaining popularity in the United States for its purported health benefits. This tart berry, too acidic to eat raw, is commonly processed into juices, and supplements.
Camu camu is touted due to the presence of vitamin C, beta-carotene, fatty acids, protein, potassium, and other nutrients. However, despite its popularity, scientific evidence supporting its use for common conditions like cold and fatigue remains lacking.
While the berry's origins are in the remote Amazon, its popularity has surged, with various brands now producing and selling camu camu products in stores and online.
Due to its tart flavor, camu camu is often consumed in processed forms, including powders. These powders can be added to smoothies, supplements, or incorporated into other foods.
5 Health Benefits of Camu Camu
Following are some of the impressive benefits of camu camu.
1. Prevents Inflammation: Camu camu, a fruit native to the Amazon rainforest, may possess anti-inflammatory properties, according to studies. Chronic inflammation is linked to various health issues, including cancer, heart disease, and autoimmune disorders. The fruit pulp of camu camu contains ellagic acid, an antioxidant known to suppress the inflammation-triggering enzyme aldose reductase. Additionally, the seeds of the fruit contain powerful anti-inflammatory compounds. A study on mice demonstrated that an extract from the seeds effectively reduced inflammation. While these findings are promising, further research is necessary to fully grasp the potential anti-inflammatory benefits of camu camu.
2. Combats Common Cold: During the cold and flu season, camu camu berries are a good option for supplementation due to their high vitamin C content. Although vitamin C has not been shown to alleviate cold symptoms, those who take vitamin C supplements regularly may experience milder symptoms or shorter colds overall.
3. Promotes Weight Loss: The camu camu berry, a fruit native to the Amazon rainforest, may help reduce body weight, lower blood pressure, and reduce fatigue. One of the most promising findings is camu camu's potential role in weight management. Animal studies have shown that the berry can increase the number of calories burned and positively alter gut bacteria, both of which are linked to weight loss.
4. Lowers Blood Pressure: The camu camu berry has been found to be useful in lowering the blood pressure. Furthermore, some test-tube and human studies have observed that camu camu may help lower blood pressure by promoting the dilation of blood vessels.
5. Reduces Fatigue: The camu camu berry may help reduce fatigue. While evidence specifically on camu camu's effect on fatigue is limited, the high vitamin C content in the berry may play a role. A 2021 systematic review found that vitamin C supplementation significantly reduced fatigue scores in individuals with post-viral fatigue.
(Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated by AI and published after the content was editorially modified and verified by a human based on their own judgement and expertise. The Quint does not publish AI-generated content without direct human involvement and oversight).