Camu-Camu, a superfruit that wants good to your liver

Very interesting superfruit for health, Camu-Camu is a fruit found in the tropical forests of the Amazon. Popular in Peru, it is also present in Brazil, Colombia or Vénézuela. With a red-orange shade, the Camu-Camu is distinguished by its taste with tangy notes and especially by its incredible nutritional richness and its benefits. In August 2024, a study carried out by researchers from Laval University demonstrated Camu-Camu's ability to considerably decrease the liver fat rate, making it an excellent ally of liver health.¹

A fruit rich in vitamin C and antioxidants

Used in Peruvian cuisine, Camu-Camu is appreciated for its high vitamin C content: it is considered to be one of the fruit richest in vitamin C on the planet, much more than orange or lemon. Excellent source of antioxidants, it provides different Poyphenols which have direct action on the elimination of fats in the liver. Interesting for immune health, Camu-Camu can be found in Canada in the form of capsules or powder.⁴ It can thus be easily consumed by adding it to smoothies for example.

Very encouraging results for non -alcoholic foie gras disease

The team of scientists at Laval University, under the direction of professor and researcher André Marette, carried out a study during a period of 12 weeks on the Camu-Camu.³ During this period, participants consumed Camu-Camu or a placebo, in order to see the effects of the fruit on the fat in the liver. The results are clear: there is a decrease of 7.43% of lipids by taking Camu-Camu, while with placebo, we perceive on the contrary an increase in liver fats of the order of 8.42%. For André Marette, at the origin of this study, "It is a difference of 15.85%, it is significant ".²

Scientists explain in more detail the role of polyphenols contained in Camu-Camu. ""The microbiota metabolizes large polyphenol molecules which cannot be absorbed by the intestine and transforms them into smaller molecules. These can then be assimilated and degrease the liver ".²

Non -alcoholic foie gras disease (or hepatic steatosis) consists of an abnormal accumulation of fat in liver cells. It is estimated that it affects up to 7 million people in Canada.

The action of the Camu-Camu, given the results of the study by Laval University, is extremely encouraging and makes it possible to glimpse other breakthroughs in the future. Indeed, other studies and research are scheduled, focusing on the combined action of Camu-Camu and cranberry. The cranberry is another fruit that interests researchers, due to its high polyphenol content.

The team of La Boite à Grains

References

1. https://nouvelles.ulaval.ca/2024/08/21/maladie-hepatique-un-extrait-du-fruit-camu-camu-pour-degraisser-le-foi-a:ae58fdf7-2af7-4e49-8504-20ce73925c50
2. https://www.fmed.ulaval.ca/nouvelles/detail-dune-nouvelle/maladie-hepatique-un-extrait-du-fruit-camu-camu-pour-degraisser-le-foie
3. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(24)00403-8