Herbs & Botanicals · Amazonian vitamin C fruit
Camu Camu
Myrciaria dubia · also called Camu-camu
Camu camu is a small Amazon berry known for its very high vitamin C content. It is sold as juice, powder and capsules for antioxidant and immune support. Human research is limited to a few small, short trials, so benefits beyond vitamin C are not proven. The main caution is the same as for any large vitamin C amount: stomach upset, and extra care with kidney stones, iron overload, G6PD deficiency or pregnancy.
General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made
About Camu Camu
Camu camu is mainly a very rich source of vitamin C. Research on whether it does more is thin: one 7-day trial in smokers, one 12-week liver trial, a few tiny studies and two case reports. Safety advice is borrowed from vitamin C in general because no camu camu safety study was found.
What it is
Camu camu is the small fruit of Myrciaria dubia, a plant of the myrtle family from the Amazon. GBIF lists the name as accepted (species key 10342163), and NCBI Taxonomy id is 468946.
Reviews describe it as very high in vitamin C, with polyphenols such as ellagic acid and anthocyanins. The figures differ between sources, with the highest quoted as up to 5,000 mg per 100 g of pulp on a dry basis.
How it may work
Vitamin C is an antioxidant nutrient. In the smokers' trial the juice lowered markers while vitamin C tablets did not, so the authors suspect other compounds, but this was not tested.
In mice, the extract changed gut bacteria and bile acids and cut weight gain. This is animal work, and the idea that camu camu acts as a prebiotic is still a proposal in people.
Products vary
Trials used juice, clarified juice, capsules and peel extract, which are not the same. In a lab study, one drying method lost 45 to 64% of the vitamin C. The label and testing are the only guide to what a powder holds.
Who ran the research
The liver trial was run by Quebec researchers; some authors hold an industry-partnership chair on polyphenol prebiotic effects. The melanoma case report authors are investigators on a related registered trial and one reports drug-company ties. The smokers' trial and the juice glucose study state no conflicts.
At a glance
Traditional uses history, not proof
- No traditional medicine use is described in the sources read
- Eaten as a fruit and juice in the Amazon region
Studied for research
- Oxidative stress and inflammation markers in smokers (juice), very low
- Liver fat and liver enzymes (capsules), low
- Blood sugar after a meal (clarified juice), very low
- Blood pressure and vessel widening (peel extract), insufficient
- Gut bacteria, very low
- Support during cancer immunotherapy (two case reports), insufficient
- Common colds, insufficient
- Weight and cholesterol (animal studies only), insufficient
Main compounds
- Ascorbic acid, vitamin C (CID 54670067)
- Ellagic acid (CID 5281855)
- Castalagin (CID 12302513)
- Anthocyanins (for example cyanidin 3-glucoside, CID 441667, example not confirmed)
Common forms
- Fresh pulp or juice
- Clarified juice (one trial)
- Powder (freeze-dried or spray-dried)
- Capsules (liver trial)
- Peel (pericarp) extract (one trial)
Research links: Inoue 2008: camu camu juice in smokers (PubMed) · Agrinier 2024: camu camu and liver fat (PubMed) · Balisteiro 2017: fruit juices and blood sugar (PubMed) · Hemila 2013: vitamin C and colds, Cochrane (PubMed) · MedlinePlus: Vitamin C · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library
The plant and its history
- Accepted scientific name
- Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) McVaugh
- Naming authority
- (Kunth) McVaugh. ACCEPTED in the GBIF backbone (species key 10342163, match confidence 97).
- Synonyms
- Not retrieved; the GBIF synonym list was not pulled.
- Common names
- Camu camu (English); Camu-camu (English)
- Botanical family
- Myrtaceae (the myrtle family, which also includes guava and clove).
- Classification
- Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Myrtales > Myrtaceae > Myrciaria > Myrciaria dubia
- Native range
- Amazon region (Maqsood 2025 and Noguera 2024 describe it as an Amazonian fruit). Detailed range not verified.
- Habitat
- Not verified.
- What the plant looks like
- Roots: Not verified.; Stems: Not verified.; Leaves: Not verified.; Flowers: Not verified.; Fruit: A small Amazonian berry. Studies use the pulp, juice, peel (pericarp) or whole-fruit capsules; seed and peel are also described in lab work (Noguera 2024).
- Cultivation
- Not verified.
- Harvest and processing
- Drying method changes vitamin C content (Fujita 2013); other processing not covered.
- Look-alikes and adulterants
- Name: Other vitamin C fruits (acerola, amla, rose hips); Note: Different plants with different research; results do not transfer.
- Sustainability and conservation
- Not verified.
Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof
| Tradition or era | Documented use | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon region | Described as an Amazonian fruit; no source we read describes a traditional medicine use, so none is claimed. | p40417739 |
| Regulators | No EMA/HMPC monograph or NCCIH page was found; EU novel food status is unconfirmed. | s-regulators-camu |
Traditional use shows how a plant was used. It does not show that a supplement works or is safe today.
What is inside, and how it may work
What the plant contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.
Main compounds
| Compound | Family | Where it is concentrated | Activity studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) PubChem 54670067 | Vitamin | Fruit pulp Up to about 5,000 mg per 100 g of pulp on a dry basis (Noguera 2024 review); figures vary between sources | The main nutrient reported. 45-64% lost in one drying method (Fujita 2013). 17 5 14 | Human data |
| Ellagic acid PubChem 5281855 | Polyphenol | Fruit | Listed by Maqsood 2025 among the bioactive compounds. Activity not shown in people from camu camu. 12 14 | Laboratory research |
| Castalagin PubChem 12302513 | Ellagitannin | Fruit | Called the active compound in mouse work on immunotherapy (as described in Pang 2023). 18 14 | Animal research |
| Vescalagin PubChem 168165 | Ellagitannin | Fruit | Related ellagitannin; named for identity only, not read in a source. 14 | Other |
| Cyanidin 3-glucoside (anthocyanin) PubChem 441667 | Anthocyanin | Fruit skin | Anthocyanins are listed by Maqsood 2025 and Noguera 2024; this specific one is a typical example and is NOT confirmed from a source read. 12 17 14 | Other |
Mechanisms, receptors and pathways
| Target or pathway | Gene or receptor | What was found | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gut microbiome and bile acids | Not specified; brown-fat UCP1 and TGR5 mentioned in mice | In mice the extract raised Akkermansia muciniphila, lowered Lactobacillus, changed bile acids and raised energy use; transferred gut bacteria reproduced less weight gain. 2 | Animal research |
| Oxidative stress and inflammation | Not specified | Camu camu juice lowered oxidative and inflammatory markers in 10 smokers while equal vitamin C tablets did not; cause unknown. 8 | Human data |
| Starch-digesting enzymes | alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase | The authors cite fruit polyphenols blocking these enzymes as a possible reason for lower post-meal glucose; not tested in the trial. 3 | Lab |
Absorption, metabolism and elimination
- Absorption
- Not found for camu camu compounds.
- Distribution
- Not found.
- Metabolism
- Not found.
- Elimination
- Not found.
- Bioavailability
- Maqsood 2025 claims bioavailability exceeds other fruits; no data read, so not relied on.
Isolated compounds versus whole extracts
In the smokers' trial the whole juice lowered markers while plain vitamin C tablets with the same vitamin C amount did not, which suggests other compounds may matter (the authors' view, untested). Juice, clarified juice, peel extract and capsules were each used in different trials and are not interchangeable.
Nutritional composition
Camu camu is eaten as pulp or juice in the Amazon and sold elsewhere as powder and capsules. It is described as extremely high in vitamin C, but amounts vary by source and processing.
1 low certainty3 very low certainty4 not enough evidence
What is Camu Camu good for?
The studied uses and how strong the human evidence is for each. All results come from very small studies, and several rows are animal-only or have no result.
Benefits, one by one
Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.
Oxidative stress and inflammation markers in male smokers (camu camu juice)
Very low certaintyOne small trial of 20 male smokers found that a week of camu camu juice lowered blood and urine markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, while vitamin C tablets with the same vitamin C amount did not. It is the only human trial of this kind we found.
2 studies100% camu camu juice in the trial. Powders and capsules were not test…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Inoue 2008: 20 male smokers were randomly given 70 ml of 100% camu camu juice or vitamin C tablets for 7 days. In the juice group, urinary 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine, total reactive oxygen species, hs-CRP, IL-6 and IL-8 all fell significantly. Nothing changed in the tablet group.
Results
Lower markers of oxidative stress and inflammation after 7 days of juice; no change with vitamin C tablets.
Effect sizes as reported
Significant falls (P<0.05 to P<0.01); sizes not given in the abstract.
Why this rating
One trial, 10 people per group, men who smoke, 7 days, lab markers only, no replication found. No reviewer GRADE exists. The 2015 systematic review abstract gives no numbers and is promotional in tone.
Form and dose studied
100% camu camu juice in the trial. Powders and capsules were not tested for this. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Who was studied
Healthy adult male smokers.
Limits
Tiny, short, one group of people, markers rather than health outcomes. Results may not apply to non-smokers, women or other products.
Why researchers looked
The fruit is very rich in vitamin C and also holds polyphenols, so researchers asked whether the whole fruit does more than vitamin C alone (Inoue 2008).
Traditional use
No source we read describes a traditional medicine use of camu camu for this.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
The authors suggest unknown antioxidant compounds in the juice, or compounds that change how vitamin C is handled in the body. This was not tested.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
No side effects are described in the abstract. See the Safety tab.
Liver fat and liver enzymes in adults with overweight and high triglycerides (camu camu capsules)
Low certaintyIn one crossover trial of 30 adults with overweight and high blood fats, 12 weeks of camu camu capsules lowered liver fat compared with placebo and lowered the liver enzymes AST and ALT. It is promising but is a single small study.
2 studiesCamu camu capsules in the trial (the maker and standardization are no…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Agrinier 2024: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover, 30 adults, 1.5 g of camu camu capsules or placebo daily for 12 weeks. Liver fat fell 7.43% on camu camu and rose 8.42% on placebo, a difference of 15.85%. Plasma AST and ALT fell and gut microbiota composition changed.
Results
Less liver fat and lower liver enzymes than placebo over 12 weeks.
Effect sizes as reported
Liver fat difference of 15.85% between treatment and placebo periods (as reported in the abstract).
Why this rating
One well-designed but small crossover trial (30 people, 12 weeks); the liver enzyme and gut results were exploratory; some authors hold industry-partnership research chairs on polyphenol prebiotics. Not yet repeated. No reviewer GRADE.
Form and dose studied
Camu camu capsules in the trial (the maker and standardization are not given in the abstract). Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Who was studied
Adults with overweight and high triglycerides.
Limits
Small, 12 weeks, one site, not people with diagnosed fatty liver disease as the target; no long-term follow-up.
Why researchers looked
A mouse study found a camu camu extract prevented fatty liver on a fattening diet (Anhe 2019), so the idea was tried in people.
Traditional use
No traditional use for this was found in the sources read.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
The researchers propose a prebiotic effect: polyphenols may feed helpful gut bacteria. In the trial the gut bacteria did change, but this is exploratory and does not prove the cause.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
The abstract reports lower, not higher, liver enzymes. Adverse events are not described in the abstract.
Blood sugar after a starchy meal (clarified camu camu juice)
Very low certaintyIn one study of 23 healthy adults, blood sugar after a bread meal was lower when clarified camu camu juice was drunk with it. It was one of six fruit juices tested, and nobody with diabetes took part.
2 studiesClarified camu camu juice in the study. Not tested as powder or capsu…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Balisteiro 2017: 23 healthy adults ate 50 g of white bread with water (control) or with one of six clarified fruit juices on separate days. Blood glucose was significantly lower after camu camu, cambuci, cagaita and jaboticaba juices (P<0.05). Rat work (Nascimento 2013) found lower glucose with camu camu pulp, but that is animal evidence.
Results
Lower blood sugar after one bread meal with camu camu juice in healthy adults.
Effect sizes as reported
Significant reduction (size not given in the abstract).
Why this rating
A single-meal study in healthy people, clarified juice (a processed form), six juices tested together, no diabetes patients, no long-term trial. Rat findings do not count as human evidence.
Form and dose studied
Clarified camu camu juice in the study. Not tested as powder or capsules for blood sugar in the trials we read.
Who was studied
Healthy adults (23).
Limits
One meal, no long-term data, healthy people only.
Why researchers looked
Fruit polyphenols can block starch-digesting enzymes in the lab, so Brazilian fruit juices were tested with a bread meal (Balisteiro 2017).
Traditional use
Not described in the sources read.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
The authors point to polyphenols blocking the enzymes alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase. The trial did not test this.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
If you use diabetes medicines, ask your doctor before adding a new supplement. See the Safety tab.
Blood pressure and blood vessel widening (single dose of peel extract)
Not enough evidenceOne small crossover study gave 20 healthy young adults a single dose of camu camu peel extract or placebo and measured blood vessel widening and blood pressure. The paper we read reports the method but its abstract gives no results, so we cannot say whether it helped.
1 studiesPeel (pericarp) extract in the study; not the same as pulp powder. As…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Miyashita 2018 (a data article): 10 healthy men and 10 healthy women had a single dose of camu camu pericarp (peel) extract or placebo in a crossover design; flow-mediated vasodilation and blood pressure were recorded. The abstract does not state the findings.
Results
No results are given in the abstract we read.
Effect sizes as reported
Not given.
Why this rating
One single-dose data article with no stated result; healthy young adults only; peel extract, not the pulp or powder sold as supplements.
Form and dose studied
Peel (pericarp) extract in the study; not the same as pulp powder. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Who was studied
Healthy young adults.
Limits
Single dose, results not read, no people with high blood pressure.
Why researchers looked
Polyphenols and vitamin C are linked to blood vessel function in other research.
Traditional use
Not described in the sources read.
Proposed mechanism Insufficient
Not described in the abstract.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Not described in the abstract.
Gut bacteria (microbiome)
Very low certaintyIn the 30-person liver trial the gut bacteria changed with camu camu, and in mice it shifted gut bacteria and reduced weight gain. We found no human trial with gut health as its main goal, and a small HIV trial has only a protocol.
3 studiesCapsules in the human trial; extract in mice. Ask a doctor or pharmac…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Agrinier 2024 reported changes in gut microbiota composition as an exploratory outcome in 30 adults. Isnard 2022 is the protocol of a planned 22-person single-arm pilot in people living with HIV on treatment; no results were read.
Results
Gut bacteria composition changed in people (exploratory); no clear health benefit from this alone is shown.
Effect sizes as reported
Not given in the abstracts.
Why this rating
Exploratory human outcome inside one trial plus mouse data; a protocol with no results. Changes in bacteria do not by themselves mean better health.
Form and dose studied
Capsules in the human trial; extract in mice. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Who was studied
Adults with overweight and high triglycerides; mice.
Limits
Exploratory, small, no health outcome linked.
Why researchers looked
Camu camu polyphenols (ellagitannins) are thought to feed helpful gut bacteria, so it is described as a prebiotic.
Traditional use
Not described in the sources read.
Proposed mechanism Animal research
In mice, the extract raised Akkermansia muciniphila and lowered Lactobacillus, and transferring those gut bacteria to germ-free mice reproduced less weight gain (Anhe 2019). This is animal work.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
See the Safety tab.
Support during immune checkpoint cancer treatment (two case reports)
Not enough evidenceTwo patients with melanoma that had stopped responding to nivolumab were reported to do well after camu camu was added. This is only two cases, with no comparison, so it shows nothing for certain. A formal trial is registered.
2 studiesNot stated in the abstract.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Pang 2023: a 71-year-old woman and a 90-year-old man with metastatic melanoma that progressed on immune checkpoint inhibitors were treated with nivolumab plus camu camu and were reported as near complete or complete responders, with minimal immune side effects, for over a year.
Results
Two reported responses in two patients.
Effect sizes as reported
Not applicable.
Why this rating
Two case reports, no control, authors are investigators on a related registered trial (NCT05303493) and one reports drug-company ties.
Form and dose studied
Not stated in the abstract.
Who was studied
Two patients with melanoma.
Limits
Cannot separate camu camu from other care; no controls.
Why researchers looked
In mice, a camu camu compound (castalagin) bound helpful gut bacteria and strengthened the anti-cancer T-cell response (as described in Pang 2023).
Traditional use
None.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Proposed: camu camu changes the gut microbiome, which may help immune cells fight cancer. Based on mouse work; not proven in people.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not use camu camu alongside cancer immunotherapy without your oncology team.
Common cold (as a vitamin C source only)
Not enough evidenceCamu camu has not been tested for colds. For plain vitamin C, a Cochrane review found regular use did not reduce how many colds people in the general community caught, but colds were a little shorter.
1 studiesNot applicable to camu camu.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Hemila 2013 (Cochrane, plain vitamin C): in the general community pooled risk ratio 0.97 (95% CI 0.94 to 1.00); in marathon runners, skiers and soldiers RR 0.48 (0.35 to 0.64); colds were 8% shorter in adults and 14% in children with regular use.
Results
Colds not prevented in the general community; slightly shorter with regular vitamin C.
Effect sizes as reported
RR 0.97 (0.94-1.00); duration 8% shorter in adults.
Why this rating
No camu camu trial for colds. The vitamin C figures come from plain vitamin C, and the camu camu vitamin C content varies by product.
Form and dose studied
Not applicable to camu camu.
Who was studied
Adults and children (plain vitamin C trials).
Limits
Cannot be transferred to camu camu.
Why researchers looked
Camu camu is marketed for immune support because of its vitamin C.
Traditional use
None.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Vitamin C is needed by immune cells; the review does not say how it shortens colds.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
See Safety.
Weight, cholesterol and blood fats (animal findings only)
Not enough evidenceIn obese rats and in mice on a fattening diet, camu camu cut fat gain and improved blood fats and sugar. No human trial of weight or cholesterol was found.
3 studiesNot applicable.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
None. Animal only: Nascimento 2013 (rats, 12 weeks of pulp: less fat, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, insulin; higher HDL) and Anhe 2019 (mice).
Results
Lab and animal results only.
Effect sizes as reported
Not applicable.
Why this rating
Animal evidence does not show the same effect in people.
Form and dose studied
Not applicable.
Who was studied
Rats and mice.
Limits
No human trial.
Why researchers looked
Reviews describe camu camu as a promising anti-obesity fruit based on animal and lab work.
Traditional use
None.
Proposed mechanism Animal research
In mice, more energy use in brown fat and changes in gut bacteria and bile acids (Anhe 2019). Animal work.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Not applicable.
Connections to the rest of health
How Camu Camu connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.
Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes
A. Wellness goals
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cellular Protection | Potential benefit | Very low certainty | Oxidative stress and inflammation markers in male smokers (camu camu juice): One small trial of 20 male smokers found that a week of camu camu juice lowered blood and urine markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, while vitamin C tablets with the same vitamin C amount did not. It is the only human trial of this kind we found. | 8 10 |
| Inflammation Balance | Potential benefit | Very low certainty | Oxidative stress and inflammation markers in male smokers (camu camu juice): One small trial of 20 male smokers found that a week of camu camu juice lowered blood and urine markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, while vitamin C tablets with the same vitamin C amount did not. It is the only human trial of this kind we found. | 8 10 |
| Liver Support | Potential benefit | Low certainty | Liver fat and liver enzymes in adults with overweight and high triglycerides (camu camu capsules): In one crossover trial of 30 adults with overweight and high blood fats, 12 weeks of camu camu capsules lowered liver fat compared with placebo and lowered the liver enzymes AST and ALT. It is promising but is a single small study. | 1 2 |
| Metabolic Health | Potential benefit | Low certainty | Liver fat and liver enzymes in adults with overweight and high triglycerides (camu camu capsules): In one crossover trial of 30 adults with overweight and high blood fats, 12 weeks of camu camu capsules lowered liver fat compared with placebo and lowered the liver enzymes AST and ALT. It is promising but is a single small study. | 1 2 |
| Blood Sugar Balance | Potential benefit | Very low certainty | Blood sugar after a starchy meal (clarified camu camu juice): In one study of 23 healthy adults, blood sugar after a bread meal was lower when clarified camu camu juice was drunk with it. It was one of six fruit juices tested, and nobody with diabetes took part. | 3 16 |
| Healthy Circulation | Not enough evidence | Blood pressure and blood vessel widening (single dose of peel extract): One small crossover study gave 20 healthy young adults a single dose of camu camu peel extract or placebo and measured blood vessel widening and blood pressure. The paper we read reports the method but its abstract gives no results, so we cannot say whether it helped. | 13 | |
| Microbiome Balance | Potential benefit | Very low certainty | Gut bacteria (microbiome): In the 30-person liver trial the gut bacteria changed with camu camu, and in mice it shifted gut bacteria and reduced weight gain. We found no human trial with gut health as its main goal, and a small HIV trial has only a protocol. | 1 2 9 |
| Gut Health | Potential benefit | Very low certainty | Gut bacteria (microbiome): In the 30-person liver trial the gut bacteria changed with camu camu, and in mice it shifted gut bacteria and reduced weight gain. We found no human trial with gut health as its main goal, and a small HIV trial has only a protocol. | 1 2 9 |
| Immune Support | Not enough evidence | Support during immune checkpoint cancer treatment (two case reports): Two patients with melanoma that had stopped responding to nivolumab were reported to do well after camu camu was added. This is only two cases, with no comparison, so it shows nothing for certain. A formal trial is registered. Common cold (as a vitamin C source only): Camu camu has not been tested for colds. For plain vitamin C, a Cochrane review found regular use did not reduce how many colds people in the general community caught, but colds were a little shorter. | 18 9 7 | |
| Weight Management | Not enough evidence | Weight, cholesterol and blood fats (animal findings only): In obese rats and in mice on a fattening diet, camu camu cut fat gain and improved blood fats and sugar. No human trial of weight or cholesterol was found. | 16 2 17 | |
| Cholesterol Balance | Not enough evidence | Weight, cholesterol and blood fats (animal findings only): In obese rats and in mice on a fattening diet, camu camu cut fat gain and improved blood fats and sugar. No human trial of weight or cholesterol was found. | 16 2 17 |
B. Body systems
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiovascular System | Biological association | Very low certainty | Studied for: Oxidative stress and inflammation markers in male smokers (camu camu juice) Studied for: Blood pressure and blood vessel widening (single dose of peel extract) | 8 10 13 |
| Immune System | Biological association | Very low certainty | Studied for: Oxidative stress and inflammation markers in male smokers (camu camu juice) Studied for: Support during immune checkpoint cancer treatment (two case reports) | 8 10 18 9 7 |
| Hepatic System | Biological association | Low certainty | Studied for: Liver fat and liver enzymes in adults with overweight and high triglycerides (camu camu capsules) | 1 2 |
| Digestive System | Biological association | Low certainty | Studied for: Liver fat and liver enzymes in adults with overweight and high triglycerides (camu camu capsules) Studied for: Gut bacteria (microbiome) | 1 2 9 |
| Endocrine System | Biological association | Very low certainty | Studied for: Blood sugar after a starchy meal (clarified camu camu juice) Studied for: Weight, cholesterol and blood fats (animal findings only) | 3 16 2 17 |
E. Health conditions
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kidney stones | Contraindication | Low certainty | General vitamin C guidance. Preparation or compound: Large vitamin C intakes |
21 4 |
| G6PD deficiency | Contraindication | Not enough evidence | Case report, details not read. Preparation or compound: High-dose ascorbic acid |
19 |
| Hemochromatosis / iron overload | Contraindication | Not enough evidence | Vitamin C raises iron absorption. Preparation or compound: Vitamin C |
21 11 |
| Fatty liver (liver fat) | Potential benefit | Low certainty | One 30-person crossover trial. Preparation or compound: Camu camu capsules |
1 |
I. Biomarkers
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxidative stress markers (urinary 8-OHdG, total reactive oxygen species) | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 8 |
| Inflammation markers (hs-CRP, IL-6, IL-8) | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 8 |
| Liver fat and liver enzymes (AST, ALT) | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 1 |
| Blood glucose after a bread meal | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 3 |
| Gut microbiota composition | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: changed. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 1 2 |
| Flow-mediated vasodilation and blood pressure | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Measured in trials: unknown. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 13 |
K. Biological pathways
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gut microbiome - bile acid - brown fat energy use | Preliminary mechanism | Animal | Mouse work only. | 2 |
L. Active compounds
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) | Biological association | Human | The main nutrient reported. 45-64% lost in one drying method (Fujita 2013). Preparation or compound: Fruit pulp |
17 5 14 |
| Ellagic acid | Biological association | In vitro | Listed by Maqsood 2025 among the bioactive compounds. Activity not shown in people from camu camu. Preparation or compound: Fruit |
12 14 |
| Castalagin | Biological association | Animal | Called the active compound in mouse work on immunotherapy (as described in Pang 2023). Preparation or compound: Fruit |
18 14 |
| Vescalagin | Biological association | Other | Related ellagitannin; named for identity only, not read in a source. Preparation or compound: Fruit |
14 |
| Cyanidin 3-glucoside (anthocyanin) | Biological association | Other | Anthocyanins are listed by Maqsood 2025 and Noguera 2024; this specific one is a typical example and is NOT confirmed from a source read. Preparation or compound: Fruit skin |
12 17 14 |
Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).
Evidence at a glance: what changed in 4 lab markers
Tap a number to show only those markers. Counts are markers, not people.
The evidence
The research centre for Camu Camu. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.
Evidence by outcome
Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).
How we rate evidence
High certainty
Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.
Moderate certainty
Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.
Low certainty
Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.
Very low certainty
Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.
Mixed findings
Trials or reviews disagree with each other.
Not enough evidence
Not enough human research to say either way.
Evidence against
Good research found no benefit, or found harm.
We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We started from our existing camu camu summary, searched PubMed, read the abstract of every PubMed study cited, read the MedlinePlus and NHS vitamin C pages, and checked plant names in GBIF and NCBI Taxonomy and compound IDs in PubChem. Two case reports (G6PD, iron overload) have no abstract, so only their titles were checked. NCCIH and EMA pages were not found; the NIH vitamin C fact sheets could not be read.
Study library: every study we checked 21
| Study | Design | People | Product, dose, length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agrinier 2024 Camu-camu decreases hepatic steatosis and liver injury markers in overweight, hypertriglyceridemic individuals: A randomized crossover trial. Cell Reports Medicine · PMID 39168095 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
30 Adults with overweight and high triglycerides |
Camu camu capsules (polyphenol-rich) fruit (capsules) 1.5 g capsules daily 12 weeks per period (crossover) · vs Placebo capsules |
Liver fat fell 7.43% on camu camu and rose 8.42% on placebo, a difference of 15.85%. Plasma AST and ALT fell. Gut microbiota composition changed. Liver fat difference 15.85 percentage points versus placebo (as given in abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Liver fat (primary); liver enzymes, gut microbiota (exploratory) Limitations: Single trial of 30 people. Microbiome and enzyme results were exploratory. Not a trial of fatty liver disease patients as such. Funding and conflicts: Public/foundation funding. Some authors hold an industry partnership research chair on polyphenol prebiotic effects (Diana Food) and a Pfizer/CIHR chair; flagged. Read: abstract |
| Anhe 2019 Treatment with camu camu (Myrciaria dubia) prevents obesity by altering the gut microbiota and increasing energy expenditure in diet-induced obese mice. Gut · PMID 30064988 · DOI |
Animal research animal |
Mice on a high-fat, high-sugar diet | Crude camu camu extract fruit not stated in abstract not stated in abstract · vs Untreated mice |
Mice given the extract gained less weight and had less liver fat; the gut bacteria changed (more Akkermansia, fewer Lactobacillus); germ-free mice given the treated mice's gut bacteria gained less weight. Direction of change only in abstract Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Weight, fat, glucose tolerance, liver fat, gut microbiota Limitations: Mouse study only. Funding and conflicts: No competing interests declared; Canadian government funding. Read: abstract |
| Balisteiro 2017 Effect of clarified Brazilian native fruit juices on postprandial glycemia in healthy subjects. Food Research International · PMID 28888441 · DOI |
Crossover trial |
23 23 healthy adults |
Clarified camu camu juice (one of six fruit juices tested) fruit juice, clarified not stated in abstract single test meal per juice, 1 week apart · vs 50 g white bread with 300 ml water |
Blood glucose was significantly lower after camu camu (and cambuci, cagaita, jaboticaba) juice than after bread with water (P<0.05); cupuacu and maracuja-alho juices did not lower it. Significant reduction (size not given in abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Blood glucose after a carbohydrate meal Limitations: Healthy people, one meal each, clarified juice (not whole fruit or powder), six juices tested at once. Did not test people with diabetes. Funding and conflicts: No conflict stated; government research support. Read: abstract |
| Carr 2026 Are oral and intravenous vitamin C implicated in oxalate-associated renal failure? Exploring the role of pre-existing renal dysfunction. Nutrition Research · PMID 42925834 · DOI |
Scoping review |
45 45 papers: 21 oral and 24 intravenous vitamin C case reports |
Vitamin C (oral and intravenous), not camu camu n/a large doses n/a · vs n/a |
Oral cases occurred in people with existing kidney disease or gut surgery/disorders altering oxalate absorption, often with other factors such as dehydration. Existing kidney dysfunction is a key risk for slow clearance of large vitamin C doses. Authors advise checking kidney function before and during high-dose regimens. Not applicable Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Oxalate-associated acute kidney failure Limitations: Case-report review; cannot give how common it is. Funding and conflicts: No conflict stated. Read: abstract |
| Fujita 2013 Impact of spouted bed drying on bioactive compounds, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of commercial frozen pulp of camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia Mc. Vaugh) Food Research International · Source · DOI |
Lab lab |
Commercial frozen camu camu pulp | Camu camu pulp dried by spouted bed with maltodextrin pulp n/a n/a · vs Fresh and freeze-dried pulp |
Spouted-bed drying lost 45-64% of ascorbic acid, 33-42% of phenolics and 16-18% of proanthocyanidins. Freeze-drying kept more antioxidant capacity (74-87%) than spouted-bed drying (29-78%). Powders were still rich sources. Ascorbic acid loss 45-64% Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Ascorbic acid, phenolics, proanthocyanidins, antioxidant capacity Limitations: Lab study of one drying method; commercial products differ. Read via Europe PMC (abstract). Funding and conflicts: Not stated. Read: abstract |
| GBIF; NCBI Taxonomy 2026 Myrciaria dubia in GBIF and NCBI Taxonomy API lookups 2026-10-25 · Source |
Database record n/a |
Myrciaria dubia |
Accepted name and family GBIF species match: Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) McVaugh, ACCEPTED, species key 10342163, family Myrtaceae. NCBI Taxonomy returns id 468946. Methods, limits and fundingLimitations: Not applicable Funding and conflicts: Name check only. Registration: https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/match?name=Myrciaria%20dubia Read: human | |
| Hemila 2013 Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · PMID 23440782 · DOI |
Systematic review |
11306 Adults and children, many trials |
Plain vitamin C (not camu camu) n/a at least 0.2 g/day in included trials varied · vs Placebo |
General community: pooled risk ratio 0.97 (95% CI 0.94 to 1.00) for catching a cold. Marathon runners, skiers and soldiers: RR 0.48 (0.35 to 0.64). Colds were shorter by 8% in adults and 14% in children with regular use. RR 0.97 (0.94-1.00) community; duration -8% adults Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Cold incidence, duration, severity Limitations: Plain vitamin C, not camu camu. Therapeutic (after symptoms start) trials showed no consistent effect. Funding and conflicts: No conflict declared in the record. Read: abstract |
| Inoue 2008 Tropical fruit camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Journal of Cardiology · PMID 18922386 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
20 20 male smokers |
Camu camu 100% juice (70 ml/day) fruit juice 70 ml/day, equal to 1,050 mg vitamin C 7 days · vs 1,050 mg vitamin C tablets (n=10 per group) |
In the juice group, all five markers fell significantly (8-OHdG and CRP P<0.05; ROS P<0.01; IL-6 P<0.05; IL-8 P<0.01). No change in the vitamin C tablet group. Marker falls reported as significant; sizes not given in the abstract Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Urinary 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine, total reactive oxygen species, hs-CRP, IL-6, IL-8 Limitations: Only 10 people per group, men who smoke, 7 days, markers not health outcomes. Authors suggest unknown compounds in the juice; not shown. No separate untreated group is described. Funding and conflicts: No conflict of interest or funding stated in the PubMed record. Read: abstract |
| Isnard 2022 Camu Camu effects on microbial translocation and systemic immune activation in ART-treated people living with HIV: protocol of the single-arm non-randomised Camu Camu prebiotic pilot study (CIHR/CTN PT032). BMJ Open · PMID 35039291 · DOI |
Trial protocol |
22 Planned: 22 people living with HIV on treatment |
Camu camu (prebiotic) fruit not stated in abstract not stated in abstract · vs none (single arm) |
This is a protocol. It reports no results. It describes camu camu as a prebiotic candidate and cites animal and smoker studies. No results Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Tolerance, gut damage, microbial translocation, inflammation (planned) Limitations: Protocol only, no results read. Funding and conflicts: Some authors report fees and grants from HIV drug makers; flagged. Registration: NCT04058392 Read: abstract |
| Langley 2015 Antioxidant and associated capacities of Camu camu (Myrciaria dubia): a systematic review. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine · PMID 25275221 · DOI |
Systematic review |
Not stated in abstract | Camu camu fruit n/a n/a · vs n/a |
The abstract gives no numbers. It states camu camu has potential to contribute to health and calls for raising its visibility. Not applicable Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Antioxidant and related capacities Limitations: Abstract has no results or methods; its tone is promotional. Not used for any numeric claim. Funding and conflicts: No conflict stated in the PubMed record; funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Mallory 2003 Iron overload related to excessive vitamin C intake. Annals of Internal Medicine · PMID 13679342 · DOI |
Case report |
People with excessive vitamin C intake | Vitamin C supplements, excessive n/a excessive n/a · vs n/a |
The title and record type (case reports, letter) indicate iron overload linked to excessive vitamin C intake. No abstract is available, so details were NOT read. Not applicable Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Iron overload Limitations: Title-only verification; letter with case reports; not camu camu. Funding and conflicts: Not stated. Read: title-only |
| Maqsood 2025 Nutritional Composition, Pharmacological Properties, and Industrial Applications of Myrciaria dubia: An Undiscovered Superfruit. Food Science & Nutrition · PMID 40417739 · DOI |
Narrative review |
Fruit review | Myrciaria dubia fruit n/a n/a · vs n/a |
Reports vitamin C, polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins and ellagic acid; names a lack of experimental trials and processing concerns as barriers. Full text (PMC12101967) was read only in part in our earlier summary. Not applicable Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Composition, pharmacology, uses Limitations: Narrative review; its human-trial details were inconsistent in our earlier read and are not used. Funding and conflicts: No conflict declared. Read: abstract |
| Miyashita 2018 Data on a single oral dose of camu camu (Myrciaria dubia) pericarp extract on flow-mediated vasodilation and blood pressure in young adult humans. Data in Brief · PMID 29322080 · DOI |
Crossover trial |
20 10 healthy young men and 10 healthy young women |
Camu camu pericarp (peel) extract pericarp (peel) single dose (amount not in abstract) single dose, monitored for 110 seconds · vs Placebo (crossover) |
The data article describes the measurements; the abstract gives no results. Not given in abstract Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Flow-mediated vasodilation and blood pressure Limitations: Data article, results not stated in the abstract; a single dose; young healthy adults; peel extract only. Funding and conflicts: No conflict stated in the PubMed record. Read: abstract |
| NCBI PubChem 2026 PubChem compound IDs for camu camu compounds PubChem name lookup 2026-10-25 · Source |
Database record n/a |
Ascorbic acid, ellagic acid, castalagin, vescalagin, cyanidin 3-glucoside |
Compound identity Name lookups returned CIDs: ascorbic acid 54670067; ellagic acid 5281855; castalagin 12302513; vescalagin 168165; cyanidin 3-glucoside 441667 (also 197081 listed). Methods, limits and fundingLimitations: Not applicable Funding and conflicts: Name lookup only; CID matches to the exact stereoisomer not inspected. Registration: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ Read: human | |
| NHS (UK) 2020 Vitamin C (NHS) NHS website · Source |
Authoritative guidance |
General public | Vitamin C n/a n/a n/a · vs n/a |
Says more than 1,000 mg a day can cause stomach pain, diarrhoea and flatulence that go away when supplements stop; under 1,000 mg a day is unlikely to cause harm; most people can get what they need from food. Page last reviewed 3 August 2020. Not applicable Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety and intake Limitations: General vitamin C page, not camu camu. Funding and conflicts: Public health service. Read: full-text |
| Nascimento 2013 Effects of diet supplementation with Camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia HBK McVaugh) fruit in a rat model of diet-induced obesity. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias · PMID 23460435 · DOI |
Animal research animal |
Obese rats (monosodium glutamate model) | Camu camu pulp fruit pulp 25 ml/day 12 weeks · vs Untreated obese rats |
Less white fat, glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and insulin; higher HDL. No change in inflammatory markers or liver enzymes. Direction of change only in abstract Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Fat, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL, insulin, inflammation, liver enzymes Limitations: Rats; results do not show the same effect in people. Funding and conflicts: No conflict stated. Read: abstract |
| Noguera 2024 Emerging berries from the Brazilian Amazon and Atlantic Forest biomes: new sources of bioactive compounds with potential health benefits. Food & Function · PMID 38753200 · DOI |
Narrative review mixed |
Fruit review | Camu camu (with other berries) fruit (pulp, peel, seed) n/a n/a · vs n/a |
States camu camu has very high vitamin C (up to 5,000 mg per 100 g of pulp, dry basis) and that in vitro and in vivo studies suggest antioxidant, anti-obesity, blood sugar, blood fat, antimicrobial and anticancer effects. Not applicable Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Composition and bioactivity Limitations: Narrative review; mostly lab and animal evidence. Funding and conflicts: No conflict stated. Read: abstract |
| Pang 2023 Two Cases of Durable and Deep Responses to Immune Checkpoint Inhibition-Refractory Metastatic Melanoma after Addition of Camu Camu Prebiotic. Current Oncology · PMID 37754485 · DOI |
Case report |
2 Two patients with metastatic melanoma that progressed on immune checkpoint inhibitors |
Camu camu (as a prebiotic) added to nivolumab not stated not stated in abstract more than 1 year · vs none |
Both patients were reported to have a near-complete or complete response after camu camu was added to nivolumab, with minimal immune-related side effects, for over a year. Not applicable (two cases) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Tumour response; immune-related adverse events Limitations: Two cases only, no control. Other changes in care cannot be ruled out. Authors are investigators on a related phase I trial (NCT05303493); one author reports many pharmaceutical ties. Funding and conflicts: Authors investigators on NCT05303493; several report drug-company consulting and grants. Flagged. Registration: NCT05303493 (related trial) Read: abstract |
| Rees 1993 Acute haemolysis induced by high dose ascorbic acid in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. BMJ · PMID 8490379 · DOI |
Case report |
People with G6PD deficiency | Ascorbic acid, high dose n/a high dose (route not in the record) n/a · vs n/a |
The title reports acute haemolysis from high-dose ascorbic acid in G6PD deficiency. No abstract is available on PubMed, so details (route, dose, number of cases) were NOT read. Not applicable Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Red blood cell breakdown (haemolysis) Limitations: Only the title and record were checked; details NOT verified. Likely high-dose treatment, not a food-level intake; not camu camu. Funding and conflicts: Not stated. Read: title-only |
| Searches 2026-10-25 2026 Regulator checks for camu camu: NCCIH, EMA/HMPC, LiverTox, LactMed, EFSA / EU novel food, ODS Direct page requests and web search · Source |
Database record n/a |
Camu camu |
Regulatory status NCCIH page nccih.nih.gov/health/camu-camu returned 404. A guessed EMA herbal page returned 404 and no EMA/HMPC monograph was found. LiverTox and LactMed entries were not found (NCBI Bookshelf is behind a robot check). The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements vitamin C fact sheets returned 403, so they were not read. EU novel food status could not be confirmed: a trade news item says camu camu is treated as a novel food sold as a supplement, and a supplier sheet claims authorisation under Regulation (EU) 2017/2470, but neither is an official listing and neither was relied on. Methods, limits and fundingLimitations: Not applicable Funding and conflicts: Absence in these checks is not proof that no document exists. Registration: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/camu-camu Read: human | |
| US National Library of Medicine 2026 Vitamin C (MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia) MedlinePlus · Source |
Authoritative guidance |
General public | Vitamin C n/a n/a n/a · vs n/a |
Says serious side effects of too much vitamin C are very rare; amounts above 2,000 mg a day are not recommended and can cause stomach upset, diarrhea and, rarely, kidney stones; large supplement doses are not recommended in pregnancy because they can lead to a shortage of vitamin C in the baby after birth; vitamin C helps absorb iron; pregnant and breastfeeding women need more vitamin C and should ask their provider. Cooking, storage and light reduce vitamin C in foods. Not applicable Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety and intake Limitations: General vitamin C page, not camu camu. Funding and conflicts: Public health agency. Read: full-text |
What we do not know yet
- Only one 7-day trial of oxidative stress and inflammation, in 20 male smokers
- One 12-week liver trial; no repeat
- No human trial for diabetes, cholesterol, weight or colds
- No result stated for the blood pressure study
- No long-term, pregnancy, breastfeeding or interaction data for camu camu
- Vitamin C content differs between products
- No EMA, NCCIH, LiverTox or LactMed document found; EU novel food status unconfirmed
How new research is added
New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed in a review queue. A person reads each one before it changes any rating or safety wording.
Lab markers
What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".
Other 6
Oxidative stress markers (urinary 8-OHdG, total reactive oxygen species)
Lowered in trials
Lab measures of how much oxidative damage the body is under. 8-OHdG is a sign of DNA damage in urine.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Smokers have more oxidative stress, so these markers show whether a treatment lowers it.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
A lab marker change in 10 people. It does not show less disease.
Safety implication
None reported in the abstract.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Both fell significantly in the camu camu juice group (8-OHdG P<0.05; ROS P<0.01); no change with vitamin C tablets | 20 male smokers | Camu camu 100% juice, 7 days |
Inflammation markers (hs-CRP, IL-6, IL-8)
Lowered in trials
Blood proteins that rise when the body is inflamed.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Used to see whether a food or supplement lowers general inflammation.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Lab markers only, in a small short trial.
Safety implication
None reported in the abstract.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | hs-CRP (P<0.05), IL-6 (P<0.05) and IL-8 (P<0.01) fell in the juice group; no change in the vitamin C tablet group | 20 male smokers | Camu camu 100% juice, 7 days |
Liver fat and liver enzymes (AST, ALT)
Lowered in trials
Liver fat is the amount of fat stored in the liver. AST and ALT are enzymes that rise when liver cells are stressed.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Main and secondary results of the camu camu liver trial.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Liver fat is a measure of fatty liver, not of liver disease outcomes. Enzymes were exploratory.
Safety implication
Liver enzymes fell, not rose.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liver fat fell 7.43% on camu camu and rose 8.42% on placebo (difference 15.85%); AST and ALT fell | 30 adults with overweight and high triglycerides | Camu camu capsules (1.5 g/day), 12 weeks, crossover |
Blood glucose after a bread meal
Lowered in trials
How high blood sugar rises after eating a starchy meal.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Smaller rises after meals are linked to lower long-term diabetes risk.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
One meal in healthy people; no data in diabetes.
Safety implication
Possible additive effect with diabetes medicines is theoretical.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Serum glucose significantly lower after camu camu juice than after bread with water (P<0.05) | 23 healthy adults | Clarified camu camu juice with 50 g white bread, single meal |
Gut microbiota composition
Changed in trials
Which bacteria live in the gut and how common each is.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Camu camu is described as a prebiotic.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
A change in bacteria is not a health outcome.
Safety implication
None known.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Changes in gut microbiota composition reported (details not in abstract) | 30 adults with overweight and high triglycerides | Camu camu capsules, 12 weeks |
| 2 | More Akkermansia muciniphila and fewer Lactobacillus in treated mice | Mice on a high-fat, high-sugar diet | Crude camu camu extract |
Flow-mediated vasodilation and blood pressure
Unknown in trials
How much an artery widens after a short blockage of blood flow, a test of blood vessel health, and blood pressure readings.
Not enough evidenceResults and what it means
Why it was measured
The outcomes of the peel-extract crossover study.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Results not read.
Safety implication
None known.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Measured after a single dose; the abstract states no result | 10 healthy men and 10 healthy women | Camu camu pericarp extract, single dose |
Safety
What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.
Main points to know 6
- Very large vitamin C intakes: stomach upset, diarrhea and rarely kidney stones. Camu camu fruit is very high in vitamin C, so the usual vitamin C cautions apply. MedlinePlus says amounts above 2,000 mg a day can cause stomach upset and diarrhea and, rarely, kidney stones. The NHS says more than 1,000 mg a day can cause stomach pain, diarrhoea and flatulence that go away when supplements stop. These are general vitamin C statements; no camu camu-specific safety study was found. Authoritative guidance 21 15
- Kidney disease or past kidney stones: be careful with large vitamin C amounts. A 2026 scoping review of 45 case reports of oxalate-related kidney failure after oral or intravenous vitamin C found that oral cases occurred in people with existing kidney disease or gut surgery or disorders, often with other factors such as dehydration. The authors say existing kidney problems are a key risk and advise checking kidney function before and during high-dose vitamin C. This is about vitamin C, not camu camu itself. People who have had kidney stones should ask a clinician first. Case report 4 21
- Iron overload conditions: vitamin C helps the body absorb iron. MedlinePlus says vitamin C helps the body absorb iron. A 2003 letter with case reports is titled 'Iron overload related to excessive vitamin C intake'. Only the title was verified (no abstract exists), so details are NOT read. People with hemochromatosis or other iron overload should ask their doctor before taking vitamin C-rich supplements. Case report 11 21
- G6PD deficiency: high-dose vitamin C has been linked to red blood cell breakdown. A 1993 BMJ case report is titled 'Acute haemolysis induced by high dose ascorbic acid in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency'. No abstract is available, so the dose, route and number of cases were NOT read. No camu camu case was found. People with G6PD deficiency should ask their doctor before using vitamin C-rich supplements. Case report 19
- Pregnancy: large vitamin C supplement doses are not recommended. MedlinePlus says large doses of vitamin C supplements are not recommended in pregnancy because they can lead to a shortage of vitamin C in the baby after delivery. No camu camu pregnancy study was found. Authoritative guidance 21
- Cancer treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors: talk to your oncology team. Camu camu has been added to nivolumab in two reported melanoma patients and is being tested in a registered trial. Whether it helps or harms alongside cancer drugs is unknown. Do not add it without your oncology team. Case report 18
Side effects 3
| Effect | How often | Severity and recovery | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| No side effects described in the human trial abstracts The abstracts of the smokers' trial (7 days, 20 people), the liver trial (12 weeks, 30 people) and the glucose study (23 people) do not mention side effects. Absence from an abstract does not prove there were none. Long-term safety is unknown. | Not established | Not applicable Not applicable | Controlled trial 8 1 3 |
| Stomach upset, stomach pain, diarrhea, wind (from large vitamin C amounts) General vitamin C information. NHS threshold over 1,000 mg a day; MedlinePlus over 2,000 mg a day. How much vitamin C a given camu camu product supplies varies widely. | Not established | Mild Resolves when stopped (NHS) | Authoritative guidance 21 15 |
| Kidney stones (rare, large vitamin C amounts) Higher risk is described in people with kidney disease. | Rare (MedlinePlus) | Moderate to serious Not stated | Authoritative guidance 21 4 |
Liver
No case of camu camu liver injury was found in a PubMed search. In the 12-week trial of 30 adults, liver enzymes AST and ALT went down, not up. In obese rats, 12 weeks of camu camu pulp did not change liver enzymes. No LiverTox entry for camu camu could be found or read. 1 16 20
How often. No frequency of liver injury is available.
Monitoring. No monitoring advice was found. Stop and seek care for yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, pale stools or strong upper-right belly pain.
- .
- .
This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Camu Camu supports liver health.
Medicines and supplements 4
| With | Why it matters | Importance | Evidence | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immune checkpoint inhibitors (for example nivolumab) prescription | Proposed: camu camu changes gut bacteria, which may change the anti-cancer immune response. Seen in mice and described in two melanoma case reports. | Unknown. The reports are favorable, but two cases cannot show benefit or harm; a registered trial (NCT05303493) is running. | Case report Not enough evidence 18 | Do not combine without your oncology team. |
| Iron supplements supplement | Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron (MedlinePlus). | Mainly matters for people with iron overload conditions; not studied for camu camu. | Authoritative guidance Low certainty 21 11 | Ask a doctor if you have too much iron in the body or take iron. |
| Diabetes medicines prescription | Camu camu juice lowered blood glucose after a bread meal in healthy adults; an added effect with diabetes drugs is theoretical. | No study of camu camu with diabetes medicines was found. | Pharmacological theory Not enough evidence 3 | Tell your prescriber; watch for low blood sugar. |
| Other medicines (blood thinners, chemotherapy, statins, blood pressure drugs, others) prescription | Not assessed. No camu camu interaction study was found, and the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements vitamin C fact sheets could not be read (403), so general vitamin C interaction statements are not made here. | Unknown. | Insufficient Not enough evidence 20 | Ask a pharmacist before combining with any prescription medicine. |
Who should check first 5
| Situation | Advice | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Kidney disease or a history of kidney stones | Ask a clinician before taking vitamin C-rich supplements. | Case report 4 21 |
| Iron overload (for example hemochromatosis) | Ask your doctor first; vitamin C raises iron absorption. | Authoritative guidance 21 11 |
| G6PD deficiency | Ask your doctor first; high-dose vitamin C has been linked to haemolysis in a case report (details NOT verified). | Case report 19 |
| Pregnancy (large supplement amounts) | Large vitamin C doses are not recommended (MedlinePlus); no camu camu data. Ask your doctor. | Authoritative guidance 21 |
| Cancer treatment with immunotherapy | Ask your oncology team. | Case report 18 |
Overdose, product quality and regulators
Summary. No human toxicity study of camu camu was found. The only safety statements come from general vitamin C pages.
Animal. Obese rats given pulp for 12 weeks showed no change in liver enzymes or inflammatory markers; no toxicity study was read.
Human doses studied. Trials of up to 12 weeks (capsules) and 7 days of juice; long-term use is untested.
High dose or long term signals. None for camu camu. For vitamin C in general, see Key safety.
Overdose response. Not found.
Genotoxicity. Not found in the sources read.
Toxic plant parts. Not named in the sources read. Studies used pulp, juice, peel (pericarp) extract or whole-fruit capsules.
No contamination or adulteration study of camu camu products was found. The clearest quality issue is that vitamin C content varies.
Vitamin C content varies. Reviews give very different figures (up to 5,000 mg per 100 g of pulp on a dry basis in Noguera 2024). In a lab study, spouted-bed drying lost 45-64% of the ascorbic acid, and freeze-drying kept more antioxidant capacity than spouted-bed drying. Powders may also contain carriers such as maltodextrin. The label is the only guide, and results from juice or capsules in trials do not carry over to other products. 17 5
Different forms. Trials used 100% juice, clarified juice, capsules and peel extract. These are not interchangeable. 8 3 1 13
| Body | Action | Date |
|---|---|---|
| US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) (US) | No camu camu page found (404) source | 2026 |
| MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine) (US) | General vitamin C page: over 2,000 mg a day not recommended; large doses not recommended in pregnancy source | 2026 |
| NHS (UK) (UK) | General vitamin C page: over 1,000 mg a day can cause stomach pain and diarrhoea source | 2020 |
When to get medical help
- Severe pain in the side or back, or blood in the urine
- Yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, or sudden unusual tiredness and paleness
- Much less urine, swelling or new kidney pain
- Severe or lasting diarrhea or vomiting
- Swelling of the face or throat, hives or trouble breathing (allergic reaction)
Stop the supplement and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is camu camu used for?
Does camu camu boost immunity or prevent colds?
Camu camu has not been tested for colds. For plain vitamin C, a Cochrane review found it did not reduce colds in the general community, though colds were slightly shorter with regular use.
Is camu camu better than vitamin C tablets?
One trial of 20 male smokers found juice lowered oxidative and inflammation markers while tablets with the same vitamin C did not. It is one tiny trial and does not show better health.
Does camu camu help fatty liver?
Maybe. A 30-person crossover trial found less liver fat and lower liver enzymes over 12 weeks versus placebo. It needs repeating in larger trials.
Does camu camu lower blood sugar?
Does camu camu lower blood pressure?
Not shown. A single-dose peel extract study measured blood pressure in 20 healthy adults but its abstract gives no result.
Can camu camu cause kidney stones?
Is camu camu safe with iron overload or G6PD deficiency?
Is camu camu safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding?
No camu camu data were found. MedlinePlus advises against large vitamin C supplement doses in pregnancy. Ask your doctor or midwife.
Can I take camu camu with medicines?
Do products differ in vitamin C?
Has any health agency approved camu camu?
No approval was found. NCCIH has no camu camu page (404), no EMA herbal monograph was found, and the EU novel food status could not be confirmed from an official source. Absence in these checks does not prove nothing exists.
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Editorial transparency
- Written by
- AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records.
- Medical review
- None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
- First published
- 2026-10-25
- Last substantive update
- 2026-10-25
- How we research
- We started from our existing camu camu summary, searched PubMed, read the abstract of every PubMed study cited, read the MedlinePlus and NHS vitamin C pages, and checked plant names in GBIF and NCBI Taxonomy and compound IDs in PubChem. Two case reports (G6PD, iron overload) have no abstract, so only their titles were checked. NCCIH and EMA pages were not found; the NIH vitamin C fact sheets could not be read.
- How we rate evidence
- See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
- Independence
- No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown. Industry and drug-company links in the studies are flagged in each study record.
Sources 21
Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.
- Agrinier AL, Morissette A, Daoust L, et al.. Camu-camu decreases hepatic steatosis and liver injury markers in overweight, hypertriglyceridemic individuals: A randomized crossover trial.. Cell Reports Medicine. 2024. PMID 39168095. DOI 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101682. (abstract)
- Anhe FF, Nachbar RT, Varin TV, et al.. Treatment with camu camu (Myrciaria dubia) prevents obesity by altering the gut microbiota and increasing energy expenditure in diet-induced obese mice.. Gut. 2019. PMID 30064988. DOI 10.1136/gutjnl-2017-315565. (abstract)
- Balisteiro DM, Araujo RL, Giacaglia LR, et al.. Effect of clarified Brazilian native fruit juices on postprandial glycemia in healthy subjects.. Food Research International. 2017. PMID 28888441. DOI 10.1016/j.foodres.2017.08.044. (abstract)
- Carr AC, Gupta S. Are oral and intravenous vitamin C implicated in oxalate-associated renal failure? Exploring the role of pre-existing renal dysfunction.. Nutrition Research. 2026. PMID 42925834. DOI 10.1016/j.nutres.2026.09.009. (abstract)
- Fujita A, Borges KFC, Correia R, Franco BDGdM, Genovese MI. Impact of spouted bed drying on bioactive compounds, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of commercial frozen pulp of camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia Mc. Vaugh). Food Research International. 2013. DOI 10.1016/j.foodres.2013.07.025. (abstract)
- GBIF; NCBI Taxonomy. Myrciaria dubia in GBIF and NCBI Taxonomy. API lookups 2026-10-25. 2026. (human)
- Hemila H, Chalker E. Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold.. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2013. PMID 23440782. DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD000980.pub4. (abstract)
- Inoue T, Komoda H, Uchida T, et al.. Tropical fruit camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties.. Journal of Cardiology. 2008. PMID 18922386. DOI 10.1016/j.jjcc.2008.06.004. (abstract)
- Isnard S, Fombuena B, Ouyang J, et al.. Camu Camu effects on microbial translocation and systemic immune activation in ART-treated people living with HIV: protocol of the single-arm non-randomised Camu Camu prebiotic pilot study (CIHR/CTN PT032).. BMJ Open. 2022. PMID 35039291. DOI 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053081. (abstract)
- Langley PC, Pergolizzi JV, Taylor R, et al.. Antioxidant and associated capacities of Camu camu (Myrciaria dubia): a systematic review.. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2015. PMID 25275221. DOI 10.1089/acm.2014.0130. (abstract)
- Mallory MA, Sthapanachai C, Kowdley KV. Iron overload related to excessive vitamin C intake.. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2003. PMID 13679342. DOI 10.7326/0003-4819-139-6-200309160-00032. (title-only)
- Maqsood S, Arshad MT, Ikram A, et al.. Nutritional Composition, Pharmacological Properties, and Industrial Applications of Myrciaria dubia: An Undiscovered Superfruit.. Food Science & Nutrition. 2025. PMID 40417739. DOI 10.1002/fsn3.70331. (abstract)
- Miyashita T, Koizumi R, Myoda T, et al.. Data on a single oral dose of camu camu (Myrciaria dubia) pericarp extract on flow-mediated vasodilation and blood pressure in young adult humans.. Data in Brief. 2018. PMID 29322080. DOI 10.1016/j.dib.2017.12.009. (abstract)
- NCBI PubChem. PubChem compound IDs for camu camu compounds. PubChem name lookup 2026-10-25. 2026. (human)
- NHS (UK). Vitamin C (NHS). NHS website. 2020. (full-text)
- Nascimento OV, Boleti AP, Yuyama LK, et al.. Effects of diet supplementation with Camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia HBK McVaugh) fruit in a rat model of diet-induced obesity.. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias. 2013. PMID 23460435. DOI 10.1590/s0001-37652013005000001. (abstract)
- Noguera NH, Noguera DCLH, Machado APDF, et al.. Emerging berries from the Brazilian Amazon and Atlantic Forest biomes: new sources of bioactive compounds with potential health benefits.. Food & Function. 2024. PMID 38753200. DOI 10.1039/d4fo00182f. (abstract)
- Pang SA, Elkrief A, Capella MP, et al.. Two Cases of Durable and Deep Responses to Immune Checkpoint Inhibition-Refractory Metastatic Melanoma after Addition of Camu Camu Prebiotic.. Current Oncology. 2023. PMID 37754485. DOI 10.3390/curroncol30090570. (abstract)
- Rees DC, Kelsey H, Richards JD. Acute haemolysis induced by high dose ascorbic acid in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.. BMJ. 1993. PMID 8490379. DOI 10.1136/bmj.306.6881.841. (title-only)
- Searches 2026-10-25. Regulator checks for camu camu: NCCIH, EMA/HMPC, LiverTox, LactMed, EFSA / EU novel food, ODS. Direct page requests and web search. 2026. (human)
- US National Library of Medicine. Vitamin C (MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia). MedlinePlus. 2026. (full-text)