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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.
Based on 8 studies · 2 RCTs
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momentum for Camu Camu, not proof of effect — a registration is a plan, and posted results are sponsor-reported, not peer-reviewed.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 Oct 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 8 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.
Dosing for Camu Camu: No established efficacy dose. The human trial used 70 mL/day of 100% juice (~1050 mg vitamin C). Individual needs vary, so check the right dose for you with a healthcare provider.
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 include GI upset / loose stools from high vitamin C. How often they occur is not established for all of them. 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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