If you have been buying vitamin C as a supplement in the United States, you may not be happy with what I’m about to tell you. Most of the vitamin C in the United States comes from genetically engineered corn! That’s right… Obviously that’s not good. So what is the alternative? Camu Camu
You’ve probably never heard of it, I hadn’t, and I’m a wellness researcher and writer, but it’s going to change your life. There are so many benefits to Camu Camu that even if it weren’t loaded with vitamin C, it would still be an incredible find. But let me start out by saying that it has 686 mg of vitamin C per teaspoon. That’s a lot of vitamin C 🙂 most vitamin C comes in 45 to 125 mg servings.
Camu Camu is known as a superfood. And there’s a good reason for that. Over the last several years there is mounting scientific evidence that some foods are so beneficial that they deserve the designation as a “superfood.” How do you become a superfood? You have to show that when people consume you they experience noticeably positive results that can be measured. Camu Camu fits the bill.
Many superfoods have been around for hundreds or even thousands of years. In ancient civilizations, they were used for their healing properties. One of the newest additions to the superfood roster is the Camu Camu berry.
What Is Camu Camu?
Camu Camu is a reddish-purple berry about the size of a grape that grows in the Amazon rainforest, certain regions of Columbia, Bolivia, Peru, and Brazil. It does not naturally grow anywhere in North America.
How Camu Camu is Used
Superfoods like Camu Camu are often used in cleanses, which are diets designed to remove toxins from the body. Many superfoods have properties that are specifically powerful for removing such toxins, which is why juice cleanses and other types of cleansing diets focus on consuming a large quantity of these foods for a certain period of time.
Camu Camu contains antioxidant properties which are compounds found in many fruits and vegetables that can help the body fight free radicals. Free radicals age us and cause illness. Regularly consuming antioxidants can help prevent disease and reduce inflammation in the body by counterbalancing the free radicals.
The Camu Camu berry has a very sour taste, even at peak ripeness, which is why it is not typically consumed on its own but combined with other foods or consumed in powder form. The Camu Camu that I use is distributed by NaVitas. It is organic non-GMO and 1 teaspoon gives you 682 mg of vitamin C. I don’t know about you but I think that’s a great way to get vitamin C.
Health Benefits of Camu Camu
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High Concentration of Vitamin C
Some of the most common benefits associated with regular vitamin C consumption include better collagen formation, a stronger immune system, and more efficient iron absorption, among others. But it’s also really good for your skin 🙂
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Plenty of Polyphenols
Polyphenols are chemical groups naturally found in a variety of plants and known to provide many health effects. They are very similar to antioxidants, which means they can help reduce inflammation in the body and even aid in future disease prevention. Camu Camu is known to contain multiple types of polyphenols, including phenolic acids, stilbenes, flavonoids, lignans, and tannins. However, the amount of these compounds found in any given Camu Camu plant will depend on the fruit’s maturity at the time of picking, the soil in which it grew, and what type of extraction method was used. So not all Camu Camu is equal.
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Immune System Support
The best way to support your immune system is to eat foods rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin C. A single serving of Camu Camu powder contains well over the daily recommendation of vitamin C intake, which means including Camu Camu powder in your diet even just a few days a week could make a big difference in your body’s immune response.
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Smoother Aging Process
From my perspective as a 74-year-old, the most notable benefit of Camu Camu is its anti-aging properties. Polyphenols and antioxidants help keep your internal systems working efficiently. So regular consumption of Camu Camu can also help prevent outward signs of aging, such as skin dullness or fine lines. It turns out that vitamin C supports the production of collagen, and collagen is great for your skin, it improves the appearance of your skin. Personally, since I have started using Camu Camu, the bags under my eyes have almost disappeared. I’m just saying.
