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Economy | 12 July, 2006 [ 09:21 ]

Sweet potato "camu camu" new Peruvian export hit

Peru doubled its export revenues in 2005 with respect to 2001, selling its products internationally for US$ 14 billion. Although this number was pushed by the stars of Peruvian products like asparragus, citrus fruits and minerals, there are some "new kids on the block": fish, Andean anchovies, cutivos, cookies, flowers and the camu camu.

Camu camu (Mycaria dubia) is a bush that grows in black water rivers, especially in those abandoned courses called "cochas", ecosystems of great social and economic importance for the Amazonian jungle of Peru. The fruit contains powerful phytochemicals with health benefits.
The camu-camu fruit is approximately 2 centimeters in diameter and has a purplish red skin with a yellow pulp. Camu camu fruit contains 30 to 60 times more Vitamin C than an orange.

The fruit has also a surprising range of medicinal effects. In joint studies it was demonstrated that camu camu flesh has a great antioxidant power and contains chemical compounds with antidepressant properties. In order of potency, Camu camu is listed second in effectiveness. Some have been able to gradually wean themselves off of their anti-depression prescription medication (such as Zoloft and Prozac) under medical supervision and substitute camu camu powder with no relapse into depression.

tags : Peru economy business health agriculture camucamu export

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