Health & Medicinal benefits of gooseberry or Amla
The health benefits of Indian
gooseberry (Amla), can be partially attributed to its high vitamin C content.
The Indian gooseberry helps in boosting the immune system, slowing down aging,
treating throat infections, reducing blood sugar levels, and improving heart
health.
Indian Gooseberry is an extremely
sour, nutritious fruit of a tree which grows in India, the Middle East, and a
few other Southeast Asian countries. It is known as Amla in India and Amalaki
in Sanskrit. Due to its powerful antioxidant properties, it is often used as in
Ayurvedic medicines to boost skin and hair health, and also overall immunity of
the body.
Gooseberry acts as a diuretic agent
and is therefore thought to enhance food absorption, balance stomach acids,
fortify the liver, and nourish the brain and mental functioning. It also
strengthens the lungs, enhances fertility, helps the urinary system, improves
skin quality, and promotes healthier hair. This fruit increases vitality, aids
in vision care, and improves muscle tone.
The fruit is light green in color
and can be quite tart and fibrous to eat. In India, it is eaten with salt and
chilly powder or made into a pickle or sugared candy. It is a vital ingredient
of Triphala and chyawanprash, both of which are traditional herbal Indian
formulations to boost health. Gooseberry or Amla is also available in various
other forms, such as a powder, juice, oil, tablets, and spice, Gooseberry tea
and dried are also consumed by many for its powerful nutritional benefits.
The Indian gooseberry or amla is
abundant in vitamin C and vitamin A. It also contains high levels of folic acid
and minerals like calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, and
magnesium. Indian gooseberries are low in calories, with 100 grams of the fruit
containing only 44 calories, according to the USDA National Nutrient Database.
Fresh Indian gooseberries contain more than 80 percent water, in addition to
protein, minerals, carbohydrates, and fiber. Their beneficial properties are
mainly due to the potency of the antioxidants.
Boosts
Immunity
Indian gooseberries are a natural
immune booster as they contain a powerful cocktail of vitamins C and A,
polyphenols, alkaloids, and flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol.
Based on a study published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics,
Gooseberry has potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Gooseberry juice, in Ayurveda, is often used to increase the white blood cells
in the body, which are the main line of defense for the immune system. White
blood cells attack and eliminate foreign toxins and substances into the
bloodstream throughout the body.
Controls
Diabetes & Heart Health
Gooseberry contains chromium, which
has a therapeutic value for diabetics. It stimulates the isolated group of
cells that secrete insulin, thus reducing blood sugar in diabetic patients.
When blood sugar is reduced, glucose is used by the cells as functional energy.
Thus, the metabolism is stronger and you have more energy, without the plunges
and spikes in blood sugar that are dangerous for diabetics. Chromium also
enhances the effect of beta-blockers, which are used for heart health, by
reducing the levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol in the body. A 2011 research study
on the effect of the amla fruit on blood glucose and lipid profile of type 2
diabetics stated that it has anti-hyperglycemic and lipid-lowering properties.
Aids
in Digestion Reduce Constipation
Gooseberry is very high in fiber,
like most fruits. Fiber adds bulk to the stool and helps move food through the
bowels and keeps bowel movements regular. This reduces the chances of
constipation. Soluble fiber (found in many fruits) can also bulk up loose
stools and reduce diarrhea. Gooseberry 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. A 2014 study
published in the American Journal of Food Technology found that the
Gooseberry and its powder retained water. This property helps reduce
constipation and can help protect you from various gastrointestinal disorders,
and even has implications for colorectal cancer
Prevents
Heart Diseases, Blood Pressure
Berries –like blueberries and
gooseberries–have been proven to improve heart health. Amla powder strengthens
the heart muscles, so the blood circulation is more effective throughout the
body. By reducing excess cholesterol buildup, chromium in amla
powder can reduce the chances of atherosclerosis or plaque buildup in the
vessels and arteries. This may reduce the chances of stroke and heart attack.
The iron content in amla also promotes the creation of new red blood cells,
thereby increasing circulation and the oxygenation of organs and cells to
maximize growth and regeneration of tissues.
Acts
as a Diuretic Beneficial for Kidney
Being a fruit this is very high in
water content, amla is also slightly diuretic in nature. This means
that it increases the frequency and volume of urination. Urination helps our
body eliminate unwanted toxins and excess levels of water, salt, and uric acid.
Therefore, a diuretic substance is often beneficial for keeping your kidneys
healthy and for preventing urinary and uterine infections.
Boost
hair growth & Colour
Amla powder is used in many hair
tonics as it enriches hair growth and hair pigmentation. It
strengthens the roots, maintains color, and improves luster. Applying amla oil
to the roots of your hair 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 and antioxidant content that prevents free radical damage to hair
follicles and hormones.
Anti-aging
Agent
Amla prevents health-related
hyperlipidemia by reducing the number of free radicals in the body through its
antioxidant qualities. Vitamin C and antioxidants help scavenge free
radicals; free radicals are associated with signs of aging like wrinkles
Reduces
Menstrual Discomfort
It is thought that the minerals and
vitamins in the Indian gooseberry combine to make it very useful in the
treatment of menstrual cramps. Consume amla on a regular basis so that its
nutrients are always in the system and menstrual cramps can be prevented or
reduced.
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