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Already in 100 grams of these inconspicuous fruits there is fifty times more vitamin C than in an average orange! Camu camu berries come from the Amazon and are classified as superfoods, i.e. very healthy food that has an extremely positive effect on the human body. Regular consumption of these berries ensures supplementation of the daily requirement for vitamin C. However, camu camu have other valuable properties that are worth knowing!
They grow wild on shrubs in the Amazon rainforest, mainly in Brazil and Peru. These are small, red-purple fruits, slightly reminiscent of cherries due to their shape, but their color is more reminiscent of ripening plums. Their regular consumption will have a great impact not only on your health, but also on your well-being.
Rich in vitamin C. What else?
Although they are similar in size to a lemon, their nutritional values are incomparably better. In addition to vitamin C, camu camu fruits are rich in bioflavonoids, which have diuretic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. They are often used to treat colds and flu.
It has been scientifically proven that the flesh of these fruits prevents the harmful effects of free radicals, thanks to the rich content of antioxidants. Thanks to ascorbic acid and troxol, which are present in their composition, the aging processes of cells are significantly delayed. Thanks to this, we age later and maintain a youthful appearance longer. What’s more, camu camu is a great way to strengthen and maintain the body’s immunity – they improve the functioning of the immune system, help fight infections and diseases.
Berries are also a source of valuable amino acids: leucine, valine and serine, as well as large doses of vitamins B1, B2, B3, as well as elements and minerals such as beta-carotene, calcium, iron and phosphorus.
Basic properties of camu camu berries:
- Strengthening the immune system and the body’s immunity,
- Stress relieving, calming effect,
- Increased libido,
- Improving the condition of the body and well-being,
- Supporting regeneration and improving body endurance,
- Reducing the feeling of fatigue,
- Improving the functioning of the endocrine system, increasing testosterone levels and protecting the cardiovascular system.
Where to get and how to eat?
Unfortunately, camu camu berries are very acidic, so they cannot be eaten raw. The inhabitants of South America prepare them in the form of sweet drinks, medicines and desserts. In Poland, it is still a little known plant, which is why we will find it primarily in health food stores. The most common is a powdered form that can be prepared with water or added to food, or in the form of capsules. In their unprocessed form, they are also great as additions to sweet snacks: desserts, cakes, sorbets and sauces.