# Camu Camu Berry (Myrciaria dubia)

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/camu-camu-berry
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-24
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Fruit
**Also Known As:** Myrciaria dubia, Camu-camu, Camucamu, Cacari, Araza de agua, Amazon cherry, River guava

## Overview

Camu camu berry (Myrciaria dubia) is an Amazonian fruit containing exceptionally high concentrations of L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), reaching up to 3,000 mg per 100g of pulp, alongside ellagitannins and anthocyanins. These compounds exert [antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant), [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation), and [hepatoprotective](/ingredients/condition/detox) effects by modulating NF-κB signaling, gut microbiota composition, and lipid [metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management) pathways.

## Health Benefits

• Reduces liver fat and enzymes: 7.43% decrease in hepatic fat fraction vs 8.42% placebo increase (p=0.003) in 12-week RCT (n=30)
• Enhances beneficial gut bacteria: Increases Lactobacillus and Lactococcus genera while reducing harmful bacteria in clinical trial
• May support cancer immunotherapy: Ongoing phase I/II trial (NCT05303493) testing as adjunct to immune checkpoint inhibitors based on preclinical data
• Provides highest vitamin C content among fruits: 2-3g per 100g fresh weight, supporting [antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) and [immune function](/ingredients/condition/immune-support)
• Potential [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) effects: Reduces microbial translocation and systemic inflammation via gut-liver axis modulation

## Mechanism of Action

Camu camu's L-ascorbic acid acts as a cofactor for prolyl and lysyl hydroxylases in [collagen synthesis](/ingredients/condition/skin-health) and donates electrons to neutralize [reactive oxygen species](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant), regenerating vitamin E in lipid membranes. Its ellagitannins are metabolized by gut bacteria into urolithins, which inhibit NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, suppressing [pro-inflammatory cytokine](/ingredients/condition/inflammation)s IL-6 and TNF-α. Anthocyanins such as cyanidin-3-glucoside additionally activate Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant response pathways and modulate PPAR-α to promote hepatic fatty acid β-oxidation.

## Clinical Summary

A 12-week randomized controlled trial (n=30) found camu camu supplementation reduced hepatic fat fraction by 7.43% compared to an 8.42% increase in the placebo group (p=0.003), suggesting meaningful [hepatoprotective](/ingredients/condition/detox) activity. A separate clinical trial demonstrated increased abundance of beneficial Lactobacillus and Lactococcus genera alongside reductions in potentially harmful bacteria, indicating [prebiotic](/ingredients/condition/gut-health)-like effects on gut microbiota composition. Preliminary evidence from immunotherapy research suggests polyphenolic compounds may enhance anti-tumor immune responses, though this data remains early-stage and largely preclinical. Overall, the human evidence base is promising but limited to small sample sizes, and larger replication trials are needed before firm clinical recommendations can be made.

## Nutritional Profile

Camu Camu Berry is most notable for its exceptionally high vitamin C (ascorbic acid) content, ranging from 1,882–2,994 mg/100g fresh pulp weight, making it one of the richest natural sources of vitamin C on Earth — approximately 20–40x higher than oranges. Key nutritional components include: Macronutrients per 100g fresh pulp: carbohydrates ~6.4g, protein ~0.5g, fat ~0.2g, dietary fiber ~0.6g. Micronutrients: potassium ~83.6mg/100g, calcium ~27mg/100g, phosphorus ~15.6mg/100g, iron ~0.5mg/100g, niacin (B3) ~0.6mg/100g, riboflavin (B2) ~0.1mg/100g, thiamine (B1) ~0.01mg/100g. Bioactive compounds: ellagic acid and ellagitannins (notably castalagin and vescalagin) at ~4.8mg/100g fresh weight — these are believed to be primary drivers of [gut microbiome](/ingredients/condition/gut-health) modulation and hepatic effects observed in clinical data; anthocyanins including cyanidin-3-glucoside and delphinidin-3-glucoside concentrated primarily in the peel (~12.4mg/100g whole fruit); flavonoids including quercetin and kaempferol derivatives; serine (dominant free amino acid at ~21.5mg/100g). Bioavailability notes: Vitamin C bioavailability from whole camu camu powder has been demonstrated to be superior to synthetic ascorbic acid in comparative trials, showing lower urinary excretion and higher retention, likely due to the food matrix effect and co-occurring bioflavonoids enhancing absorption. Ellagitannins are metabolized by gut microbiota into urolithins (urolithin A and B), which are thought to mediate the observed Lactobacillus and Lactococcus enrichment and [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) hepatic effects. The fruit is typically consumed as freeze-dried powder, which concentrates nutrients approximately 10-fold compared to fresh pulp values.

## Dosage & Preparation

Clinically studied dose: 1.5g/day whole fruit capsules (non-standardized) for 12 weeks. Ongoing trials use unspecified oral doses alongside immunotherapy. No standardized extracts to vitamin C or polyphenols specified in human studies. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Camu camu is generally well tolerated at supplemental doses, but its very high vitamin C content (often 500–1,500 mg per serving) may cause gastrointestinal distress, osmotic diarrhea, or nausea, particularly when taken on an empty stomach or at high doses. Individuals with hemochromatosis or iron overload conditions should exercise caution, as high-dose ascorbic acid enhances non-heme iron absorption via reduction of ferric to ferrous iron in the gut. The supplement may potentiate anticoagulant effects of warfarin at very high vitamin C intakes and could theoretically reduce the efficacy of some chemotherapy agents that rely on oxidative mechanisms, though direct interaction data for camu camu specifically is lacking. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should limit intake to food-equivalent amounts, as high-dose supplemental vitamin C above the tolerable upper intake level of 2,000 mg/day has not been established as safe in these populations.

## Scientific Research

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial (n=30) demonstrated significant hepatic fat reduction and gut microbiota improvements with 1.5g/day camu camu for 12 weeks. Ongoing trials include NCT05303493 evaluating camu camu as [prebiotic](/ingredients/condition/gut-health) adjunct to immunotherapy in NSCLC and melanoma patients, and CTNPT032 pilot protocol for HIV patients, though no meta-analyses are available and human RCTs remain limited.

## Historical & Cultural Context

Camu camu has been used for centuries by indigenous Amazonian communities in Peru and Brazil as traditional medicine for its high vitamin C content to treat scurvy, colds, infections, and as a general tonic. This ethnobotanical use spans over 200 years, though it lacks formalized systems like Ayurveda or TCM.

## Synergistic Combinations

[Probiotic](/ingredients/condition/gut-health)s, Milk Thistle, N-Acetylcysteine, Berberine, Alpha-Lipoic Acid

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How much vitamin C is in camu camu berry?

Camu camu pulp contains approximately 1,882–3,000 mg of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) per 100g of fresh fruit, making it one of the highest known botanical sources of ascorbic acid. Dried powder concentrates vary significantly by processing method, but a typical 1-teaspoon (5g) serving of commercial camu camu powder can deliver 600–1,200 mg of vitamin C, which is 670–1,330% of the daily value.

### Can camu camu reduce liver fat?

A 12-week RCT (n=30) found that camu camu supplementation produced a 7.43% decrease in hepatic fat fraction measured by MRI, while the placebo group experienced an 8.42% increase, a statistically significant difference (p=0.003). Researchers attribute this effect to the combined action of ellagitannin-derived urolithins activating PPAR-α-mediated fatty acid oxidation and antioxidant polyphenols reducing hepatic oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation.

### What is the recommended dosage of camu camu supplement?

No universally established clinical dosage exists, but studies and traditional use suggest 500–1,500 mg of whole camu camu powder daily, or standardized extracts providing 500–1,000 mg of vitamin C equivalents. The 12-week RCT demonstrating hepatoprotective effects used a specific fruit powder dose; practitioners often recommend starting at the lower end to assess gastrointestinal tolerance, particularly since high vitamin C content can cause loose stools above 1,000 mg per single dose.

### Does camu camu improve gut health?

Clinical evidence indicates camu camu supplementation selectively increases the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Lactococcus genera, which are associated with lactic acid production, colonization resistance against pathogens, and anti-inflammatory immune modulation. Simultaneously, the berry's polyphenols appear to reduce populations of potentially harmful gram-negative bacteria, likely by acting as a prebiotic substrate and through direct antimicrobial activity of ellagitannins and vitamin C on oxidative-stress-sensitive pathogens.

### Is camu camu better than synthetic vitamin C?

Camu camu delivers L-ascorbic acid in a food matrix alongside co-occurring bioflavonoids, ellagitannins, and anthocyanins that may enhance bioavailability and provide independent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits not present in isolated ascorbic acid supplements. However, controlled pharmacokinetic studies directly comparing camu camu to synthetic vitamin C at equivalent doses show largely similar plasma ascorbate levels, suggesting the primary vitamin C bioactivity is comparable, while the whole-fruit benefits stem from its broader polyphenol profile rather than superior ascorbic acid absorption.

### Does camu camu berry interact with immunotherapy or cancer treatments?

Camu camu is currently being investigated in a phase I/II clinical trial (NCT05303493) as a potential adjunct to immune checkpoint inhibitors for cancer therapy, but conclusive safety data regarding interactions with standard chemotherapy or immunotherapy agents is not yet available. Individuals undergoing active cancer treatment should consult their oncologist before adding camu camu supplementation to avoid potential contraindications. The ongoing research suggests potential benefits, but results remain preliminary and incomplete.

### Who should avoid camu camu berry supplements?

People with kidney disease or those at risk for kidney stones should exercise caution with camu camu due to its high oxalate content, which may exacerbate mineral accumulation. Individuals taking blood-thinning medications or scheduled for surgery should consult healthcare providers, as high vitamin C intake may affect bleeding risk. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should seek medical guidance before supplementation, as safety data in these populations remains limited.

### What is the difference between camu camu powder, extract, and capsules in terms of effectiveness?

Camu camu powder retains more of the whole-food matrix including polyphenols and fiber, while standardized extracts concentrate vitamin C and specific bioactive compounds for consistent dosing. Capsules offer convenience and precise dosing but may contain binders and fillers that affect absorption rates compared to whole powder. Clinical trials on liver fat reduction and gut health used various forms, but direct comparative efficacy data between these formats is limited.

---

*Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com*
*License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — Attribution required. Commercial use: admin@hermeticasuperfoods.com*