23.7.16

Health benefits of gooseberry (Amla)


                             
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, in the genus, Ribes. Packed with pigment antioxidant polyphenolics and vitamins, the berries come in different color, flavor, and shapes.

The health benefits of Indian Gooseberry, also known as Amla, can be partially attributed to its high vitamin-C content. Amla enhances food absorption, balances stomach acid, fortifies the liver, nourishes the brain and mental functioning, supports the heart, strengthens the lungs, regulates elimination of free radicals, enhances fertility, helps the urinary system, increases skin health, promotes healthier hair, acts as a body coolant, flushes out toxins, increases vitality, strengthens eyes, improves muscle tone and, acts as an antioxidant.
The Indian Gooseberry belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. This fruit ripens in the autumn in wet, forested, hilly areas on the Indian subcontinent. In India it is considered a sacred tree. The fruit is very nourishing, but it tastes sour. Both dried and fresh fruits can be consumed for their health benefits.
The Indian gooseberry, known locally as Amla, is a tree that is famous for its nutrient rich fruits. It has been a common ingredient in the ancient Indian medicinal practice of Ayurveda. It’s a potent source of Vitamin C and also contains iron and calcium. Because it is so versatile, it has become a favourite among the health conscious masses.

The health benefits of amla include the following:

Hair care:

 Amla 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. Amla 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 Amla, 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.

Increases Diuretic Activity

Any fruit that is diuretic in nature improves the frequency and volume of urination Because urination helps your body release unwanted toxins, salts, and uric acid, consumption of Amla has a detoxifying effect on your body.

Fights Against Heart Disease

High cholesterol is the leading cause of heart disease. By reducing the build up of bad cholesterol, Amla reduces the risk of heart disease. It also reduces clogging in the arteries by boosting good cholesterol or HDL (2). Studies have also shown its benefits in preventing the thickening of blood vessel walls, the first sign of heart disease.

Increases Metabolic Activity

Because of its ability to increase the absorption of protein, Indian Gooseberries are a great way to boost your metabolic rate . Your metabolic rate is how fast your body burns calories. Boosting it will lead to faster weight loss, higher energy levels and an overall increase in lean muscle mass.
It provides remedies for many diseases, so it is widely used in Ayurvedic treatment. Gooseberry is very rich in Vitamin C, and contains many minerals and vitamins like Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Carotene and Vitamin B Complex. Amla is also a powerful antioxidant agent.

Prevents Formation Of Gall Bladder Stones

Extra cholesterol is the primary cause of gall bladder stones. Vitamin C converts the cholesterol into bile in the liver
. Consuming Amla regularly reduces the chances of a build-up of cholesterol as well as the likelihood of any pesky gallstones. It also keeps the gallbladder functioning well and in perfect health.

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 Aand carotenes

*reduce macular degeneration, night blindness, and strengthen your vision before the age-related degeneration from free radicals can occur!

Menstrual Cramps:

Some of the minerals and vitamins in Alma 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 Alma on a regular basis so it is always in the system and menstrual cramps can be prevented every month for women
Burns Fat
Gooseberry is also known to reduce obesity. It increases the protein level in the body, which, in turn, reduces the unwanted fat. It trims down the cholesterol level. Hence, the risk of heart attack is also decreases
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
Prevents Ulcers
Due to its antibacterial properties, Amla is a great way of preventing ulcers (9). They reduce the acidity level in the body and thus avoid the formation of ulcers. Additionally, mouth ulcers can be caused by a deficiency of vitamin C. As Indian gooseberries are rich in vitamin C, they can provide relief from ulcers
Reduces Indigestion and Constipation
Taking gooseberry powder every day helps in reducing constipation and improves digestion. It’s a gentle laxative and rich in fibers, so it will be a great help in digestion related problems.
Reduces Blood Sugar

Research has shown that fruits that are rich in polyphenol protect the body from the oxidative nature of high blood sugar. Amla can thus be therapeutic for people afflicted with diabetes. It also assists the body in the proper absorption of insulin, thus reducing blood sugar levels. Because of this, it is invaluable for people afflicted with diabetes and should be a part of their daily diet
High In Digestive Fiber

Amla is high in fiber, water content, and has anti-inflammatory properties (6). Fiber is essential for healthy bowel movements. It is also necessary for the secretion of gastric and digestive juices. Thus, Amla is great for the entire digestive process.
prevents Jaundice
Because of its antibacterial nature, Amla prevents infections like jaundice and scurvy (12). Consuming Amla on a daily basis in the liquid form is the most efficient way to fight off these infections.

Helpful in Arthritis

Indian gooseberry has anti-inflammatory properties, which help in relieving joint pain and swelling that happens due to arthritis. For this, you can have raw amla or juice everyday in the morning.

Regulates Acidity

Regular consumption of Indian gooseberry is very good for your stomach. It is helpful in treating gastritis or burning sensation in the abdomen. It’s also used in curing peptic ulcers and piles. You can have amla with pure ghee daily to cure gastritis.
Cures Sleeplessness or Insomnia
If you have problems in having a sound sleep or have disturbed sleep cycle, amla is just what you need. Include fresh gooseberry juice in your diet for a sound sleep. Amla juice can be mixed with coarse nutmeg powder to cure many sleep disorders

Heart Disease:


As mentioned above, 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.

Reduces The Risk Of Cancer

Because Amla is rich in antioxidants, it has various medical applications. Superoxide dismutase, which fights free radicals and reduces cell damage, acts as a potent tool in the prevention of cancer

It Protects our Liver
Studies have shown that regular consumption of Amla can ward off the ill effects that alcohol has on your liver .. It also prevents the oxidative damage that is usually caused by them.

Purifies Blood

Amla is a great antioxidant and blood purifier. It eliminates out toxins from the body and aids you on so many levels that you won’t even know. Regular consumption helps in increasing the hemoglobin and red blood cells count.


Helpful in Cold and Sore Throat
Indian gooseberry is a great help in curing sore throat and cold. Mix 2 tsp of amla powder in 2 tsp honey and have it 3 to 4 times in a day
Gooseberries are low in calories; 100 g of fresh berries hold just 44 calories. As in blackcurrants, they too have significantly high amounts of phenolic phytochemicals, especially flavones and anthocyanins. Both of these compounds have been found to have numerous health-benefiting effects against cancer, aging, inflammation, and neurological diseases.

They are moderately good in anti-oxidant values. At 3277 umol TE/100g, gooseberries have oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) value, which can be comparable to that of red currants (3387umol TE/100g).

The berries are a moderate source of vitamin-C. 100 g of fresh berries provide 27.7 mcg or 46% of daily-recommended intake values of vitamin C. Research studies have shown that consumption of fruits rich in vitamin-C helps body develop immunity against infectious agents, and help scavenge harmful oxygen free radicals from the body.

They carry a small amount of vitamin-A. 100 g berries has 290 IU or 10 % of RDA of this vitamin. Vitamin A is required for maintaining integrity of mucusa and skin and essential component of visual cycle. In addition, consumption of natural fruits rich in vitamins and flavonoid anti-oxidants has been found to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

Fresh berries contain small amounts of essential vitamins such as pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), folates, and thiamin (vitamin B-1). Some of these vitamins are essential in the sense that the body requires them for metabolism from external sources to replenish.

Furthermore, gooseberries contain moderate levels of minerals such as copper, calcium, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, and potassium.

Indian gooseberries (amla) are exceptionally rich in vitamin C. 100 g of amla carry astoundingly 445 mg of vitamin-C. However, their much of anti-oxidant properties come from other anti-oxidant compounds in them like tannins (emblicanin, punigluconin, pedunculagin
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