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Camu Camu (Myrciaria dubia)
An Amazonian berry that is one of the richest natural sources of vitamin C, plus polyphenols. A small human RCT suggests its antioxidant/anti-inflammatory effect may exceed an equivalent dose of plain vitamin C, but the human evidence base is tiny and short-term.
What the evidence says
Most Camu Camu studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from medium-quality randomised trials published 2000–2025 with a typical study size of 30 participants.
Based on 8 studies · 2 RCTs · 30 total participants
Confidence
Low confidenceA single 20-person, 7-day RCT showed reduced oxidative and inflammatory markers (outperforming plain vitamin C), but with only surrogate endpoints, in-vitro support, and no hard outcomes, the score stays low.
3 trials ongoing or recruiting · 4 completed on ClinicalTrials.gov
Registered trials show research momentum for Camu Camu, not proof of effect — a registration is a plan, and posted results are sponsor-reported, not peer-reviewed. They are never counted toward the evidence rating above.
Browse these trials on ClinicalTrials.govClinicalTrials.gov · as of Sep 2026
Camu camu (Myrciaria dubia) is an Amazonian fruit famous for its extraordinarily high vitamin C content — roughly 1-3 g per 100 g of pulp, many times that of citrus — along with anthocyanins, ellagitannins, and other polyphenols.
The interesting hint in the human data is that camu camu may outperform plain vitamin C: in a small 7-day randomized trial in male smokers, camu-camu juice significantly lowered oxidative-stress and inflammatory markers (8-OHdG, reactive oxygen species, hs-CRP, IL-6, IL-8) while an equivalent dose of vitamin C tablets did not — suggesting the whole-fruit polyphenols, not just ascorbic acid, drive the effect.
That is a genuinely intriguing signal, but it rests on a single 20-person, 7-day study; the rest of the evidence is compositional analysis and in-vitro/cell work (antioxidant capacity, Nrf2/NF-κB modulation, antimutagenic activity).
No trial has tested camu camu against clinical outcomes, and effects beyond surrogate markers remain unproven. Treat it as a potent dietary vitamin-C source with promising but immature human data.
Camu camu is among the richest natural ascorbic-acid sources (~1-3 g/100 g pulp), supporting its antioxidant and immune-cofactor roles.
Camu-camu polyphenols modulate Nrf2 (antioxidant defense) and NF-κB/AP-1 (inflammation) pathways in cell models, possibly explaining effects beyond vitamin C alone.
How Camu Camu works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.
Use moderate doses — very high vitamin C intake may increase urinary oxalate.
Use caution — vitamin C enhances iron absorption.
Likely safe as a food in moderate amounts; concentrated extracts are not specifically studied.
High vitamin C content enhances non-heme iron absorption — usually beneficial, but relevant in iron-overload conditions like hemochromatosis.
High-dose antioxidants are theoretically debated during some cancer therapies; discuss with an oncologist.
Tip: Reduce or split the dose; take with food
The current evidence for Camu Camu is insufficient to assign an evidence score, based on 6 indexed studies. An Amazonian berry that is one of the richest natural sources of vitamin C, plus polyphenols. A small human RCT suggests its antioxidant/anti-inflammatory effect may exceed an equivalent dose of plain vitamin C, but the human evidence base is tiny and short-term. Representative study: PMID 18922386.
The commonly studied dose of Camu Camu is No established efficacy dose. The human trial used 70 mL/day of 100% juice (~1050 mg vitamin C). Powders commonly provide 500-2000mg/day, supplying high vitamin C (expressed as vitamin C content; the trial used 70 mL juice ≈ 1050 mg vitamin C).. Individual needs vary — start at the lower end of the range and adjust based on how you respond.
The best time to take Camu Camu is with meals. Take it with food. Taken with meals; high vitamin C content is better tolerated with food and split if doses are large.
Camu Camu is generally well-tolerated and considered safe for most healthy adults at recommended doses. Reported side effects are uncommon and include GI upset / loose stools from high vitamin C. Use caution if any of these apply to you: Known allergy to camu camu or related Myrtaceae fruits; History of calcium-oxalate kidney stones (high vitamin C intake may increase oxalate).
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Reviewed by Dr. Baher Al Hakim · Last reviewed June 2026 · evidence from 8 studies · how we score · editorial policy
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.
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