Superfoods For Dummies by Brent Agin;Shereen Jegtvig

Author:Brent Agin;Shereen Jegtvig
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Cookery (Natural foods)
ISBN: 9780470445396
Publisher: IB Dave's Library
Published: 2009-04-17T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10: Exploring Exotic Superfoods

153

Figure 10-2:

Camu-camu.

©Lew Robertson/Getty Images

Camu-camu isn’t well-known as a superfood yet, but the health claims for camu-camu are impressive.

Providing copious amounts of vitamin C

A Brazilian study determined that camu-camu has so much vitamin C that pulp that has been stored for one month still contains more of the watersoluble vitamin than most other well-known fresh sources. One-half teaspoon of dried camu-camu powder contains up to 380 milligrams of vitamin C. You would have to eat about five whole oranges or 4 cups of sliced strawberries to get that much vitamin C (and they’d have to be fresh).

Furthermore, the November 2005 Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry published research investigating the anthocyanin content of camu-camu. Anthocyanins are natural antioxidants, and further research will determine what additional health benefits may come from camu-camu.

The scientific world is just learning about camu-camu. However, anecdotal evidence supports the use of camu-camu for

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Fighting depression. The Clinician’s Handbook of Natural Healing lists camu-camu as one of the top plants for balancing mood and treating depression. Vitamin C is also important for the production of serotonin, a brain chemical that affects your mood.

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Improving attention. Camu-camu may improve attention by improving neurotransmitter function. More research is required to determine exactly how — and how much — camu-camu improves attention.

154 Part II: From Apples to Wheat Grass: A Look at the Superfoods

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Supporting your immune system. Vitamin C is crucial for a healthy immune system, and anthocyanins work as antihistamines and antiinflammatory agents. Camu-camu is loaded with both.

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Hurting the herpes virus. The Clinician’s Handbook of Natural Healing points to camu-camu as being effective in battling the herpes family of viruses, which cause cold sores and shingles (the same virus that causes chicken pox), among other ailments.

Finding and using camu-camu

Camu-camu powder is available online at Sunfood.com and other Web sites. You may also purchase health drinks that contain camu-camu juice along with other healthful fruit juices. Camu-camu is sold in some health food stores as a powder, but you may not be able to find much camu-camu in local retail stores just yet.

Coca-Cola sells a beverage called Camu-Camu and Vitamins that’s very popular in Japan, but it hasn’t made its way to the United States yet. Most camucamu is harvested in the wild and therefore is expensive. Full commercial production of camu-camu could take quite a few years, but when it does happen, the cost should drop considerably.

Although it’s expensive, a little powder goes a long way. One serving of camucamu is only ½ teaspoon, which you can mix with water or fruit juice. You can also stir your camu-camu into applesauce or add the powder to your favorite smoothie recipe. Drink powder and capsules can be stored at room temperature for several months.

Mexico’s Chia Seeds

Chia is a member of the mint family and is native to Mexico, where it has been used for thousands of years in cooking. The ancient Aztecs and Mayans ate chia seeds before entering into battle or making long treks to sustain their energy, give them endurance, and control their appetites when food would be difficult to find.

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