What is Gooseberry?
Gooseberries are small, round to oval berries of European origin. They grow in the wild all over the temperate climates of Europe, North America, and Siberia. Botanically, they related very closely to currants, and belong to the same family of Grossulariaceae, the berries come in different color, flavor, and shapes. Gooseberry plant is a fast growing, small deciduous shrub growing about 4-6 ft in height, featuring sharp thorns all along its woody branches. The bush begins fruiting 2-3 years after plantation.
There are two types of gooseberry Indian gooseberry that are round to transversely spherical shape with light green colour and are exceptionally high in anti-oxidants and vitamin C,For the same reason, they are excessively acidic and bitter in taste. While Cape gooseberry (berries are small, round, orange-yellow in colour, encased inside a Chinese lantern like papery thin husk.
Health Benefits of Gooseberry
Diarrhea and Dysentery: Due to its strong cooling and laxative properties, Gooseberry is a useful component in remedies for diarrhea and dysentery. It provides great relief for gastric syndrome and hyperchlorhydria (burning sensation in the abdomen). As a laxative, it helps flush out any toxins or harmful substances you may have eaten that are causing your discomfort or illness, thereby eliminating it from your system so the healing process can begin, and cooling the burning and discomfort often felt when diarrhea occurs.
Improving Appetite: Consuming Gooseberry powder with butter and honey before a meal improves appetite. It also helps to balance nitrogen levels, thereby increasing weight in a healthy way.
Anti-Aging: Gooseberries prevents health-related hyperlipidaemia by reducing the amount of free radicals in the body through its antioxidant qualities. Free radicals are associated with signs of aging like wrinkles and age spots.
The fresh fruit of gooseberries contains more than 80% water, protein, minerals, carbohydrates and fiber. It is also used as a remedy for fever, liver disorder, indigestion, anemia, urinary problems, respiratory problems, cerebral, gastric and cardiovascular illness. Gooseberry lowers cholesterol levels, increases red blood cell production, and strengthens teeth and nails. In other words, consume Indian Gooseberry (Amla) as a fresh fruit, juice, or dried form to see a big improvement in your health!
Infection: Due to its antibacterial and astringent attributes, Indian Gooseberries protect the body against infection and improves the body’s immune response. They are also a very good source of vitamin C, which is famous for its impressive antioxidant abilities and its stimulation of the immune system. It increases the white blood cell count in the body, which is the main line of defense for the immune system, since white blood cells attack and eliminate foreign toxins and substances in the bloodstream and throughout the body.
Heart Disease: gooseberry strengthens the heart muscles, so the heart pumps blood smoothly throughout the body. By reducing excess cholesterol buildup, the chromium can reduce the chances of atherosclerosis, or plaque buildup in the vessels and arteries. This can reduce the chances of strokes and heart attacks. The iron content promotes the creation of new red blood cells, increasing circulation and the oxygenation of organs and cells to maximize growth and regeneration of tissue, while keeping the blood vessels and arteries clean.
Digestion: Gooseberry is very high in fiber, like most fruits. Fiber adds bulk to the stool and helps food move through the bowels and keeps your bowel movements regular. This reduces the chances of constipation, and fiber can also bulk up loose stools and reduce diarrhea. Fiber also stimulates the secretion of gastric and digestive juices, so food is digested efficiently, nutrients are absorbed in an optimal way, and you feel lighter and healthier. Reducing constipation can also help protect your from various gastrointestinal disorders, even colorectal cancer!
Calcium Absorption: Gooseberry helps the body absorb calcium in a positive way. Calcium is an essential component of our bones, teeth, and nails, and also ensures that we have beautiful lustrous hair. So, eating a vitamin C-rich fruit like Indian gooseberries is a great way to keep your body looking and feeling great!
Metabolic Activity: Eating foods that are high in protein is one of the most important ways to stay healthy, since proteins are an essential part of our body’s metabolic activities. Our enzymes can breakdown plant proteins into amino acids and reassemble them into usable proteins for our body. Protein is necessary for cellular growth, muscle development, organ health, and a wide range of other metabolic activities that we need to remain healthy and happy!
Menstrual Cramps: Some of the minerals and vitamins in Gooseberry combine to make it very useful in the treatment of menstrual cramps. Since it takes a while for the necessary elements to accrue in the body, it is better to consume Gooseberry on a regular basis so it is always in the system and menstrual cramps can be prevented every month for women.
Diabetes: Gooseberry contains chromium, which has a therapeutic value for diabetic patients. Indian Gooseberry stimulates the isolated group of cells that secrete the hormone insulin, thereby reducing blood sugar in diabetic patients and keeping their body balanced and healthy. When blood sugar is reduced, it means that glucose is also being used by the cells as functional energy, so the metabolism is stronger and you have more energy, without the plunges and spikes in blood sugar that are so dangerous for diabetic patients. Chromium also enhances the effect of betablockers, which are used for heart health, by reducing the LDL cholesterol content of the body.
Hair care: Gooseberry is used in many hair tonics because it enriches hair growth and hair pigmentation. It strengthens the roots of hair, maintains color, and improves luster. Eating fresh gooseberry or applying its paste on hair roots improves hair growth and color. Gooseberry oil is very popular in India because it has been shown to reduce the chances of hair loss and baldness. This quality is due to the carotene content of Gooseberry, as well as its iron content and general antioxidant capacity, which reduces hair loss by not allowing free radicals to damage hair follicles or impact the hormones that can cause premature hair loss.
Eye Care: Drinking Gooseberry juice with honey is good for improving eyesight, and studies have shown it to improve nearsightedness and cataracts, while reducing intra-ocular tension. This is mainly due to its impressive content of carotene, which have long been known for their powerful effect on vision-related conditions, including those that stem from free radical activity. Vitamin A and carotenes reduce mascular degeneration, night blindness, and strengthen your vision before the age-related degeneration from free radicals can occur!
Uses of Gooseberry
- They are used to make lemonade and juice.
- They are used to make cakes.
- They are used make ice-cream and jam
- They are used to make cocktail