Kamu-Kamu Berries; 7 Medicinal Properties And Contraindications

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 02:10

Kamu-Kamu - 7 useful properties, how is it eaten?

Camu Camu is a sour cherry-colored berry native to the Amazon rainforest. However, due to their health benefits, their fame has spread far beyond the borders of their homeland. They taste tart, but they are rarely consumed in pure form. Most often, juice is extracted from them, or biologically active additives are made.

The composition of Kamu-Kamu is diverse, it includes various nutrients and compounds, vitamin C, antioxidants.

Content:

• The benefits of Kamu-Kamu berries

  • Camu Camu is a source of vitamin C
  • Powerful Antioxidant + Benefits for Smokers
  • Anti-inflammatory effect
  • Helps to lose weight
  • Contributes to the normalization of blood sugar levels
  • They have antibacterial action
  • Bring blood pressure back to normal
• Side effects
• How is a berry eaten?

The benefits of Kamu-Kamu berries

In 2008, a study was conducted, the results of which were published in the Journal of Cardiology. Scientists have shown that the berries of myrciaria (Kamu-Kamu) are able to reduce the intensity of inflammation in the body, and also prevent cell oxidation.

Berries are a source of flavonoids and ellagic acid, thanks to which the fruits are used as an antidiabetic agent. Camu Camu can be consumed by people with diabetes mellitus, as they are low glycemic foods.

Berries are low in calories and are also a source of indigestible dietary fiber. Eating them regularly can improve blood circulation in the body, improve mood through the production of serotonin, and lower blood pressure.

Myrciaria fruits contain a record amount of vitamin C, according to this indicator, they are second only to the Australian cockatoo plum. Depending on the degree of ripeness of the berries, ascorbic acid they can contain from 1560 to 3133 mg.

Camu-Camu is rich in amino acids (valine, leucine, serine). They can be used as an additional source of minerals.

• Fats:

  0.5 g

• Proteins: 0.8 g
• Carbohydrates: 7.1 g
• Water: 91.5 g
• Ash: 0.1 g

Minerals (in 100 g):	amount	% RDA
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)	from 1560 to 3133 mg	3481%
Vitamin B3 (PP, nicotinic acid)	0.48 mg	3%
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)	0.03 mg	2.3%
Vitamin B1 (thiamin)	0.01 mg	0.8%
Minerals (in 100 g):
Manganese	2.1 mg	91.3%
Copper	0.2	22%
Iron	0.53 g	5.3%
Magnesium	12.4 mg	3.1%
Zinc	0.2 mg	1.8%
Potassium	83.9 mg	1.7%
Calcium	15.7 mg	1.6%
Sodium	11.1 mg	0.8%

In folk medicine, Kamu-Kamu is a valuable berry. It is used to treat ARVI and influenza. The powder based on these fruits is used as an immunostimulating, antiviral and anti-inflammatory agent. It is dissolved in various liquids such as milk.

Berries are actively used to prevent cardiovascular pathologies and joint diseases. They improve vision and treat glaucoma.

Kamu-Kamu is useful for stress, depression, depressed mood. Their anti-inflammatory properties are used in the treatment of dermatological diseases, for example, with shingles and herpes.

Camu-Kamu is considered an effective remedy for combating female infertility. It is believed that their regular intake of food significantly increases the chances of conception.

Camu Camu is a source of vitamin C

Berries are rich in vitamin C, the benefits of which for the body are difficult to overestimate. Without it, the normal functioning of the immune system is impossible, it is directly involved in the production of collagen, which is necessary to maintain healthy skin, bones and muscles.

Vitamin C is a well-known antioxidant, it prevents free radicals from damaging the cells of the body, prevents the destructive action of oxidative stress. Ascorbic acid is a means for the prevention of diabetes mellitus, cancer, chronic diseases.

100 g of Kamu-Kamu contains up to 3 g of vitamin C. However, due to the sour taste, berries are rarely eaten in their pure form. Most often they are used in powder. Since water is evaporated from it, it contains not 3 g, but 4 g of vitamin C, although this figure may differ slightly, depending on the place of their cultivation, and the time of harvest.

Powerful Antioxidant + Benefits for Smokers

In addition to vitamin C, Camu Camu contains flavonoid antioxidants, including ellagic acid and anthocyanins. They protect cells from free radical damage, prevent the formation of cancerous tumors and the development of cardiovascular pathologies.

The fruits are especially beneficial for smokers, as inhaling tobacco smoke leads to severe oxidative stress. In a seven-day experiment with the participation of 20 male smokers, it was possible to establish that Kamu-Kamu significantly reduces the negative effect of free radicals on the body, and also reduces the level of C-reactive protein (all subjects received 70 ml of berry juice). For reference, this amount of juice contains 1,050 vitamin C. ^[1]

The experimenters were controlled by a group of men who received a placebo in the form of an ascorbic acid tablet. These subjects did not show any positive dynamics. Based on the experiment, the scientists concluded that it is the complex of antioxidants contained in the Kamu-Kamu berries that has the effect.

Anti-inflammatory effect

Camu-Camu reduce the intensity of chronic inflammation. It has been proven that it negatively affects health, provokes the development of cancerous tumors, heart disease and autoimmune pathologies.

It was found that ellagic acid from the pulp of berries suppresses the production of the inflammatory enzyme aldose reductase. ^[2]

Scientists have found that drinking as little as 70 ml of berry juice significantly reduced the inflammatory markers interleukin (IL-6) and highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Moreover, the effect developed after a week of regular intake of the drink. ^[3]

Helps to lose weight

Experiments with animals prove that regular intake of berries or powder based on them contributes to the rapid burning of kilocalories, as well as to improve the intestinal microflora. ^[4]

Contributes to the normalization of blood sugar levels

Studies with 23 healthy volunteers prove that eating berries can help prevent a spike in glucose levels when consuming foods high in carbohydrates. ^[five]

They have antibacterial action

The peel and seeds of Camu-Camu have been shown to inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli and Streptococcus mutans bacteria in vitro. ^[6]

Bring blood pressure back to normal

On this occasion, 2 studies were conducted, both of which proved that berries help with hypertension by dilating blood vessels. ^{[7, 8]}

There is no doubt that Kamu-Kamu is an understudied storehouse of health and longevity, to which scientists should definitely pay attention.

Side effects

The side effects of Camu-Camu are associated with the excess content of vitamin C in berries. 5 g of powder is enough to provide the body with 682 mg of ascorbic acid. The maximum daily dose for an adult is 2000 mg. Smaller doses are considered safe.

In case of an overdose of vitamin C, the following side effects may occur:

• Stool thinning.
• Flatulence.
• Nausea.

After lowering the dose, the condition quickly returns to normal.

It should also be remembered that vitamin C promotes better iron absorption. Therefore, persons suffering from hemochromatosis should refrain from eating berries.

Cases of overdose with Kamu-Kamu-based products are rare, since vitamin C dissolves well in liquids, and its excess is quickly excreted from the body. To make sure the berries are not contraindicated, it is recommended that you consult with a specialist.

How is a berry eaten?

In past years, the berry was not consumed in its pure form due to its sour taste. However, now it is increasingly used as an addition to desserts. The berry acidifies jams, fruit juices, pastry creams, ice cream.

In Asian and European countries, juice is prepared from the berry, it is put into sauces and other drinks, and is also used as a basis for the production of vitamin C.

The most popular form of berries is in powder form. Water is removed from them, which not only increases the level of vitamin C in them, but also prolongs the shelf life. This powder can be added to cocktails, cereals, muesli, yoghurts, salad dressings. In combination with other products, the acidity of the berries becomes almost invisible.

Add Kamu-Kamu powder after preparing the main course. This will minimize the loss of vitamin C, which is extremely sensitive to high temperatures.

In addition to powder, extracts and concentrated dietary supplements are made from fruits.

The author of the article: Kuzmina Vera Valerievna | Endocrinologist, nutritionist

Education: Diploma of the Russian State Medical University named after NI Pirogov with a degree in General Medicine (2004). Residency at Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, diploma in Endocrinology (2006). Sources of information:

1. Teruo Inoue, Hiroshi Komoda, Toshihiko Uchida, Koichi Node. Tropical Fruit Camu-Camu (Myrciaria Dubia) Has Anti-Oxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties. J Cardiol. 2008 Oct; 52 (2): 127-32. doi: 10.1016 / j.jjcc.2008.06.004. Epub 2008 Jul 29.
2. Satish K Srivastava, Umesh CS Yadav, Aramati BM Reddy, Ashish Saxena, Ravinder Tammali, Mohammad Shoeb, Naseem H Ansari, Aruni Bhatnagar, Mark J Petrash, Sanjay Srivastava, Kota V Ramana. Aldose Reductase Inhibition Suppresses Oxidative Stress-Induced Inflammatory Disorders. 2011 May 30; 191 (1-3): 330-8. doi: 10.1016 / j.cbi.2011.02.023. Epub 2011 Feb 24.
3. Teruo Inoue, Hiroshi Komoda, Toshihiko Uchida, Koichi Node. Tropical Fruit Camu-Camu (Myrciaria Dubia) Has Anti-Oxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties. J Cardiol. 2008 Oct; 52 (2): 127-32. doi: 10.1016 / j.jjcc.2008.06.004. Epub 2008 Jul 29.
4. Fernando F Anhe, Renato T Nachbar, Thibault V Varin, Jocelyn Trottier, Stephanie Dudonne, Melanie Le Barz, Perrine Feutry, Genevieve Pilon, Olivier Barbier, Yves Desjardins, Denis Roy, Andre Marette. Treatment With Camu Camu (Myrciaria dubia) Prevents Obesity by Altering the Gut Microbiota and Increasing Energy Expenditure in Diet-Induced Obese Mice. 2019 Mar; 68 (3): 453-464. doi: 10.1136 / gutjnl-2017-315565. Epub 2018 Jul 31.
5. Diully Mata Balisteiro, Renata Luise de Araujo, Luciano Ricardo Giacaglia, Maria Ines Genovese. Effect of Clarified Brazilian Native Fruit Juices on Postprandial Glycemia in Healthy Subjects. Food Res Int. 2017 Oct; 100 (Pt 2): 196-203. doi: 10.1016 / j.foodres.2017.08.044. Epub 2017 Aug 19.
6. Tai Kaneshima 1, Takao Myoda 1, Kazuki Toeda 1, Takane Fujimori 1, Makoto Nishizawa. Antimicrobial Constituents of Peel and Seeds of Camu-Camu (Myrciaria Dubia). Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2017 Aug; 81 (8): 1461-1465. doi: 10.1080 / 09168451.2017.1320517. Epub 2017 May 5.
7. Marina Fidelis, Janio Sousa Santos, Graziela Bragueto Escher, Mariana Vieira do Carmo, Luciana Azevedo, Marcia Cristina da Silva, Predrag Putnik, Daniel Granato. In Vitro Antioxidant and Antihypertensive Compounds From Camu-Camu (Myrciaria Dubia McVaugh, Myrtaceae) Seed Coat: A Multivariate Structure-Activity Study. Food Chem Toxicol. 2018 Oct; 120: 479-490. doi: 10.1016 / j.fct.2018.07.043. Epub 2018 Jul 25.
8. Tadayoshi Miyashita, Ryosuke Koizumi, Takao Myoda, Yoshimasa Sagane, Koichi Niwa, Toshihiro Watanabe, and Kazuhiro Minamic. Data on a single oral dose of camu camu (Myrciaria dubia) pericarp extract on flow-mediated vasodilation and blood pressure in young adult humans. Data Brief. 2018 Feb; 16: 993-999. Published online 2017 Dec 14. doi: 10.1016 / j.dib.2017.12.009