Camu Camu: The Solution to Your Winter Sniffles

Winter is on the horizon, and along with holidays, cozy clothes and time spent with family often comes a dreaded cold that just won’t seem to go away. While I do everything I can to ward off sickness – eat a healthy diet, get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, etc. – I still find my immune system is in need of even more help this time of year.

I discuss all of the supplements, adaptogens and more that I swear by for a strong immune system in my Top All-Natural Immunity Boosters post, but lately one superfood has particularly caught my attention: camu camu.

What is Camu Camu?

This powerful berry native to the Amazon has been gaining a lot of notoriety lately thanks to its incredible health benefits. It’s technically considered a superfood due to the high nutrient content, particularly vitamin C. It’s estimated to contain around 3 grams of vitamin C per 100 grams of the fresh fruit. Yet camu camu is typically consumed as a powder where the vitamin C content is actually higher per gram.

Camu camu can even deliver up to 750% of the reference daily intake (RDI) of vitamin C in only one teaspoon. Dang! To try out my personal favorite variety from Karen Berrios Superfoods, be sure to use my discount code GOODNESSWITHG for 20% off.

Not only is vitamin C essential for collagen formation and a powerful antioxidant that protects against oxidative stress from free radicals, but it also fortifies the immune system.

In addition to solving your winter woes, including camu camu into your diet might also help decrease inflammation, reduce weight, improve blood sugar and blood pressure levels and reduce harmful bacterial growth in the body.

How to Utilize Camu Camu

Camu camu is available in various forms including juices, concentrates, supplements, extracts and powders. Because these berries are very sour, the juice is often sweetened in some way to make it more palatable. To avoid unwanted additives and sugars, I recommend utilizing the powdered or capsule variety. And, as we now know, this is actually when it’s most potent as well.

Incorporate camu camu powder into smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt, salad dressings, baked goods and more. You might even find it as an optional add-in at your local smoothie bar or health food stop (it’s my go-to addition at JuiceLand).

Regardless of the form you choose, I encourage you to check out this incredibly potent and effective superfood this winter. Along with a healthy lifestyle, it might just help you make it to spring sick-day-free!