Camu Camu (Myrciaria Dubia) is a miracle fruit born from a low growing South American riverside shrub. Emerging from the Amazonian rainforest, the Camu Camu fruit is a purply/red colour and can be harvested once a year during the wet season.

Although Amazonian cultures do not perceive Camu Camu to be nutritionally relevant, what makes Camu Camu such a miracle fruit is its extraordinary high vitamin C content. This making the Camu Camu fruit extremely sought after on the international market - due to its immune system enhancing properties!

As well as its high vitamin C content, the Camu Camu fruit is rich in flavonoids (bioflavonoids) with the antioxidant activity of such flavonoids assisting with cancer prevention. Furthermore, said many health & wellness influencers, incorporating flavonoids into ones diet can assist with anti-depressant treatment, by providing nutritional support to the bodies own mood balancing chemistry.

Camu Camu is also a significant source of potassium, providing 711 mg per kg of fruit. It also has a full complement of minerals and amino acids that can aid in the absorption of vitamin C such as anthocyanins (a powerful antioxidant), bioflavonoids, and other essential co-factors. In addition to the chemicals mentioned above, camu-camu contains beta-carotene, calcium, leucine, protein, serine, thiamine, and valine, making it particularly invaluble for the formation of white blood cells, maintaining a healthy immune system, and support for the brain, lymph glands, heart and lungs.

Benefits of Vitamin C

As mentioned earlier, Camu Camu, posesses an exceptionally high vitamin C content. In comparison to oranges, Camu Camu, provides 30 times more vitamin C per serving. As a high dose vitamin C botanical Camu Camu works as an absorbic acid, which is required to assist with metabilic reactions in the body including the synthesis of collagen.

Vitamin C deficiency means that the body's collagen is to unstable to perform regular functions and can lead to decreased immune function and scurvy. By increasing the levels of vitamin C in your body, you are ensuring strong immune health, the abiltiy to fight of winter colds more effectively, as well as a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. Vitamin C consumption has shown to support the immune system maintain excellent eyesight create beautiful skin ward off viral infections support strong collagen, tendons and ligaments decrease inflammation improve respiratory (lung) health help maintain optimal clarity of mind in times of stress and anxiety.

How to take Camu Camu

As the fruit is extremely acidic, it posesses a unique flavour and is best utalised in a powder form, where it can be combined with other ingredients. A great way to enjoy the benefits of Camu Camu is to add between 1 and 3 teaspoons (or more) to juices, smoothies, or simply to your drinking water. It can also be used in conjunction with MSM powder helps rejuvenate collagen and improve the health of the skin. If you would like to incorporate the flavour of Camu Camu into a meal, the below recipe is a favourite of ours!

To a serving of cooked quinoa add:

• 1 tablespoons of coconut butter

• 1 tablespoon of raw honey

• 1/4 teaspoon of Maca Powder

• 1/2 teaspoon of Camu Camu Powder

• A small pinch of ground cinnamon

• 1 tablespoon of soaked Goji Berries

To the quinoa add the coconut butter and honey then mix well. Then stir thru the maca, camu-camu and cinnamon. Finally, on top place the goji berries.