Learn about Camu Camu's awesome health benefits and some green smoothie recipes to make with it :) I have a green juice every morning, it's the first thing I do! (photo gallery at the end of post)
What's Camu Camu?
It's a little berry that grows natively in Peru and is pretty hard to find fresh outside of South America. It's very, very sour/tart. I tried a little pinprick with my finger, of the powder, and it's like sour candy!
But this is the exciting part: Camu Camu has the highest known Vitamin C content of all fruits!
One serving - a teaspoon / 5 grams - will give you ±760% of your daily needs! It has at least ten times more vitamin C content than oranges or lemons, and some say it can contain anywhere between 30 - 50 times more. Still, even ten times more is a hell of a lot!
Because Camu Camu naturally contains rutin and bioflavonoids, it increases the effect of Vitamin C, and also its bio-availability.
What does this mean? Well, because you are getting your vitamin C from a whole food source, that source is naturally going to contain what you need, in ways that our bodies best break it down and absorb it.
This is why it's so important to get your minerals, vitamins etc, from whole food sources as much as possible. Don't get me wrong - I supplement (especially Vitamin D because of where I live), and the top plant doctors also recommend supplements. But if it's possible to get as much as you can - and indeed, perhaps entirely what your body needs for the day - from a natural whole food source, then this is usually the best way.
In the case of Camu Camu, with its extraordinary vitamin C content, the availability and absorption of it is incomparable to any other fruit! (that we know of :) ) It really is a wonder berry and, personally, I get super excited about stuff like this haha! So here are some recipes for green smoothies so you can incorporate this whole food source into your life :)
So how do I take it and where do I buy it?
The best and easiest way to get camu camu is simply to buy the powder. This is what I have available at the local shop but there's many places to buy online - I recommend Iherb because it's not amazon, but I'm pretty sure many "natural health" shops will sell the powder.
If not, online is your best bet, unfortunately. Look for it to be verified organic. The Navitas one on Iherb is pretty popular. Camu Camu isn't super expensive but it's definitely not cheap. You only need a teaspoon a day though, and besides, it's money spent on your health, which is the most important thing!
Some quick & important health info before the recipes:
I make a green juice every single morning and it is the first thing I put into my body :)
"A green juice a day keeps the doctor away" - BOSH, Juiceman, Greger, etc
A green juice first thing in the morning is super important. It's really alkalising for your body, which is crucial. Reducing inflammation means reducing all cause mortality across the board. See the Figure here, taken from the study below. Don't believe that all disease is mostly rooted in inflamation? Read a systemic review of Camu Camu: Antioxidant and Associated Capacities of Camu Camu (Myrciaria dubia): A Systematic Review (opens in new tab)
These ingredients (fruits and vegetables, leafy greens), green juices and so on - are what keeps ill health at bay.
Not these silly and ridiculous things they have confused people into believing: injections, masks or staying indoors. It is absolutely ludicrous that people have been convinced into thinking a silly little shot, or a mask, or "distancing" from other humans is what will keep them safe and healthy. It is so insane and wrong. Yet so typical of today's modern man who wants everything not only handed to him, but handed to him in a neat, easy package where they don't have to put any effort into it themselves. Lastly, all these stupid "recommendations" go completely against all scientific evidence, ever, on human health.
But "I digress" as people say: The super high dosages of vitamin C in these juices will help keep you healthy, and all the other ingredients in here serve so many purposes and have so many amazing benefits. They give you amazing skin and hair health too, as you can see from the photo on the right :)
Almost all disease and ill health comes directly from inflammation in the body - caused by the immune system effectively attacking itself/its own body.
More often than not, the answer will be within and what you are putting in. Reducing inflammation in our bodies - by drinking green juices, eating whole foods, for example, results in reducing all cause mortality across the board. I haven't had a cold or flu in years, and if I come down with anything, it's only ever a couple days, as my immune system is readjusting, or it's run down because I haven't been eating well.
From everything I have experienced and read, all disease comes from within. Treat your body right and you'll be in the best position to never get sick, and most definitely never develop any of the chronic diseases. For thousands of studies and detailed information on each of the top 15 killer/chronic diseases, read How Not to Die, by Dr. Greger.
All recipe quantities make enough for two 350ml glasses :)
All recipes are made in a Ninja blender, not a juicer - these are smoothie recipes.
Recipe 1: Camu Camu Super Boost
Had to call it something didn't I?
Ingredients:
Water - about 250ml
Apple Juice - about 300ml
Cucumber - 3" piece (you can add more if you want to though)
Parsley - small handful
Spinach - large handful (see image)
Kiwi - half
Green apple - half
Ginger - small slice (add as much or as little as you want, or even add powder if you prefer)
Powders:
Camu Camu - 1 tsp*
Wheatgrass - 1tbsp
Flaxseed - 1-2tbsp
Hemp Protein - 1tbsp
Optional - Supergreens blend - 1tbsp
* You can add 2tsp of Camu Camu if you're making the drink for yourself and someone else, since these quantities will give you two 350ml glasses.
Method
(The method will be the same for all recipes listed below too)
Start by adding the water, spinach, parsley and cucumber. Always blend these first to make sure it's as least grainy as possible and that the spinach will be completely shredded. Then add the rest of the ingredients, powders and all, the rest of the liquid (the juice) and blend.
Recipe 2: Alkalizing Morning Drink
Ingredients:
Water - about 250ml
Apple/Orange Juice - about 300ml
Cucumber - 3" piece
Orange - half
Spinach - large handful (see image)
Kale - handful
Green apple - half
Ginger - small slice (add as much or as little as you want, or even add powder if you prefer)
Powders:
Camu Camu - 1 tsp*
Wheatgrass - 1tbsp
Flaxseed - 1-2tbsp
Hemp Protein - 1tbsp
Spirulina - 1/2 tbsp
Supergreens blend - 1tbsp
Follow the same blending method as before: add only the water, spinach, kale, and cucumber first. Once that's smooth, add the rest of the ingredients.
Recipe 3: Alkalizing / Immune Boost Morning Drink
Ingredients:
Water - about 250ml
Apple/Orange Juice - about 300ml
Carrot - small/medium piece
Kiwi- half
Spinach - large handful (see image)
Green apple - half
Orange - half
Ginger - medium slice (add as much or as little as you want, or even add powder if you prefer)
Powders:
Camu Camu - 1 tsp*
Wheatgrass - 1tbsp
Flaxseed - 1-2tbsp
Hemp Protein - 1tbsp
Spirulina - 1/2 tbsp
Supergreens blend - 1tbsp
Maca - 1tbsp
Sweet! Well I hope this has helped you learn something, if you didn't know about Camu Camu powder, now you know it's the most incredible way to get your vitamin C from a natural, whole food source!
Feel free to tweak any of the recipes I shared here, and you can also add Camu Camu to dessert style smoothies - with bananas, strawberries, maca, cacao and almond milk. The tartness of the Camu Camu will work like the strawberries or raspberries would. You can exclude raspberries / strawberries and blueberries and add a teaspoon of Camu Camu instead. May the health be with you :D
