Health blog: Health Benefits Of Indian Gooseberry Or Amla.

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Hey there !

Hope you are enjoying this festive season with Christmas on the hand followed by New Year celebrations.

It's December and winters are chilling all of us. Apart from celebrations and cheering winter, there are varieties of seasonal veggies and fruits that you can enjoy. They are not only healthy but they are good for your taste buds too.

Among the healthy treats, gooseberry is a big name. You can consume it in fresh form, in juice form, in dried form, in form of candies, chutneys etc. Ready made options are also available in the market from juice to candies. Today, we will talk about Indian gooseberry and in this article, I am going to tell you how it is beneficial for your health.

INTRODUCTION :-

Indian gooseberry is also known as amla. The word “amla is derived from the Sanskrit word “amlaki”, which means “the sustainer” or prosperity. The Indian Gooseberry belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family which bears the scientific name Phyllanthus emblica. This tree is cultivated throughout the Indian subcontinent, but its derivative products, such as fruit and oil, have begun to spread throughout the world.

Gooseberry fruit ripens in the autumn in wet, forest, hilly areas on the Indian subcontinent and is considered as a sacred tree in India. The fruit is very nourishing and is very sour in taste.

Indian Gooseberry or amla in dried form is a major part of the Triphala Churna, which is a combination of three potent herbs. According to Ayurveda, regular consumption of amla balances all three doshas of the body- Vata, Pitta and Kapha. In ancient Ayurveda, amla was used for promoting longevity, digestion, for enhancing concentration and alleviating respiratory problems.

Gooseberries Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 3.5 ounces (100 grams), raw
Amt. Per
Serving % Daily
Value*

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient Amount Daily Value Chart**
Nutrient	Amount	Daily Value
Calories	-	44
Calories From Fat	-	5
Total Fat	1g.	1%
Saturated Fat	0g.	0%
Trans Fat	-	-
Cholesterol	0mg	0%
Sodium	1mg	0%
Total carbohydrates	4g.	3%
Dietary Fibre	4g.	17%
Sugar	0g.	-
Protein	1g.	-
Vitamin A	-	6%
Vitamin C	-	46%
Calcium	-	2%
Iron	-	2%
Phosphorus	-	-

Amla provides remedies for a lot of diseases and so it is widely used in Ayurvedic treatments. Gooseberry is very rich in vitamin C and contains many minerals and vitamins like calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, and vitamin B complex. It is also a powerful antioxidant agent.

Amla is used for medicinal purposes in Ayurveda.

Many health problems are caused by oxidative damage (when body cells use oxygen, they produce by-products called free radicals that can cause damage). Antioxidant agents prevent and repair these damages. Vitamin C is a good antioxidant agent, which makes gooseberries a powerful tool against a variety of conditions, including various types of cancer.

Gooseberry or Amla has so many health benefits. It is rich source of vitamin c and other nutrients.
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.
You can buy various Indian gooseberry or amla products on Amazon .

Here are the health benefits of Gooseberry or Amla :-

●●HEALTH BENEFITS OF INDIAN GOOSEBERRY ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●

1). BENEFICIAL FOR EYES :-

Gooseberry or amla is very beneficial for eye sight. It is very healthy for eyes. It is said that gooseberry is capable of improving eye sight and prevent age-related macular degeneration. In easy words with age, eye sight becomes poorer, this is known as age related macular degeneration. The antioxidants present in gooseberry protect the eye retina from oxidative stress, reducing the risk of cataract.
You can use these two tips to improve your vision.

(a). You can oak amla in water and wash the eyes with the infusion to improve your eyesight.

(b). You can soak Triphala powder which is combination of three includings gooseberry or amla in water at night. Next morning, filter this water and wash your eyes with it.

You can consume amla or drink it's juice in appropriate amount to improve your vision and keep your eyes healthy.

2). Good For Digestion :-

Amla fruit is rich in fibre. Fiber adds bulk to the stool and helps food move through the bowels and keeps the movements regular relieving from constipation. It helps healthy bowel movement by keeping the gastrointestinal tract clean. It is believed that gooseberry or amla strengthens the digestive system. It improves the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from food. The sour and bitter taste of amla triggers the taste receptors, and activates the digestive enzymes. Amla helps in treating gastritis syndrome and hypochlorhydria. Reducing constipation can also help to protect you from various gastrointestinal disorders, even colorectal cancer.

For this you can try following tips -

(a). You can simply consume amla in the form of candy. Simply boil amla and add sugar and keep it to dry in the sun by covering it so that the sugar get absorbed. Do not add too much sugar as it is unhealthy. If you have diabetes avoid it.
You can add little salt to it also.
Another recipe is you can cook boiled amla slices into sugar syrup and then store it or you can dry it further in the sun and then store it.

(b). You can also dry simply boiled amla slices and then store it to consume it later.

(c). You can make it more tasty by adding salt, black salt, black pepper, red chilli powder and garam masala powder in required amount and let it dry. After this, you can store dried amla and use it later.

These three recipes (a), (b) & (c) not only will aid in digestion but you can get other health benefits of amla in these forms too.

(d). You can take amla powder with milk twice a day to cure bloating and acidity. The cooling and laxative properties of amla are very helpful in treating diarrhea.

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.

Amla is good for eyes,heart,liver & digestion.

3). Boosts Immunity :-

Gooseberry or amla contains vitamins and antioxidants that increases immunity of the body. It helps in fighting infections.

For this you can try this.

(a). You can consume Ayurvedic tonic "chyawanprash" or you can also eat "amla murabba", pickled amla or amla jam.
You can also consume amla in the forms already described above in the article.

3). Benefits Reproductive System :-

Gooseberry or amla helps in enhancement of all seven tissues, including the reproductive tissue. Amla supports the reproductive system in both males and females. It can help in overcoming difficulty in conceiving. According to Ayurveda, amla revitalizes semen in men by improving the quality of sperms.

4). Maintains Bone Health :-

According to studies and researches by the scientists of Ferrara University, amla extracts can slow the activity of osteoclasts, the cells that break down the bone. Amla is having anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce pain and swelling of the bones in arthritis patients.

5). Good For Bone Health :-

As already mentioned above, amla or gooseberry is good for bones health. It strengthens teeth and nails too.

6). As A Stress Reliever :-

Stress is the most common problem faced by the people. It is the root cause of many health problems too. Amla is a good stress reliever and it can help in inducing sound sleep.
It can also treat insomnia by providing relief from stress.

You can massage your scalp with amla oil to induce sleep and relieve headaches. Application of amla oil to the scalp before bathing removes night blindness and bilious giddiness.

However, due to allergy or as pure amla oil is cool in nature, it can cause headache too. So, always use it with precaution.

7). Good For Nerve Health :-

Indian gooseberry improves nerve health by facilitating proper flow of blood. Regular intake of amla can improve cognitive function, increasing concentration and memory. It helps in protecting the nerve cells from free radical damage further preventing diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s. The high iron content in amla facilitates oxygen transportation, preventing brain degeneration.

8). Treats Anaemia/Anemia :-

Indian gooseberry or amla is rich in iron. Regular consumption of it can improve haemoglobin levels in anaemic patients.

9). Fight Against Infections :-

The antibacterial properties of amla help the body to fight against bacterial, fungal and viral infections, making the body more resistant to diseases. It strengthens the immune system by removing toxins from the body. It also improves the defense mechanism of the body.

Due to its antibacterial and astringent attributes, Indian gooseberries protect against infection and improve the body’s immune response. They are also a very good source of vitamin C, which is famous for its antioxidant properties. It increases the white blood cells (WBCs) in the body, which are the main line of defense for the immune system since these cells attack and eliminate foreign toxins and substances in the bloodstream throughout the body.

10). Beneficial For Diabetics :-

Amla is a low in sugar and a high fiber fruit, making it perfect for diabetics. It stimulates the isolated group of cells that secrete insulin. This reduces the blood sugar in diabetes patients. Take amla juice with turmeric twice a day to control diabetes. It is also rich in chromium, which makes it very beneficial for diabetics. The antioxidants in amla regulate glucose levels in the blood, decreasing albumin levels in patients. It inhibits the production of glycosylated hemoglobin, thus reducing blood sugar levels.

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, 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 dangerous for diabetic patients.

Chromium also enhances the effect of beta-blockers, which are used for heart health, by reducing the LDL (bad) cholesterol content in the body.

11). Good For Cardiovascular Health :-

Amla is also known to have positive effects on the cardiovascular system. It is rich in many heart-friendly nutrients, which prevents the blockage of blood flow to the heart, reducing bad cholesterol. It strengthens the heart muscles, lowers cholesterol and controls hypertension. Amla contains potent antioxidants like amino acids and pectin, which helps in decreasing serum cholesterol in the blood, reducing low density lipoprotein in the body. It also helps in increasing good cholesterol in the body. Triglyceride and C reactive protein are significantly reduced by its consumption. It also protects the arteries from fat and plaque accumulation, preventing atherosclerosis.

It prevents heart diseases.

As mentioned above, gooseberry strengthens the heart muscles, so the blood circulation is done throughout the body. By reducing excess cholesterol buildup, chromium in amla can reduce the chances of atherosclerosis or plaque buildup in the vessels and arteries. This can reduce the chances of stroke and heart attack. 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.

12). As An Antioxidant :-

The high content of antioxidants in amla protects the body from the action of free radicals. It promotes longevity and slows down the ageing process.

13). Anti-ageing :-

Amla prevents health-related hyperlipidemia by alleviating oxidative stress in the ageing process. It also protects the body from radiation.

Indian Gooseberry has anti-aging Properties.
Amla prevents health-related hyperlipidemia by reducing the number of free radicals in the body through its antioxidant qualities. Free radicals are associated with signs of aging like wrinkles and age spots.

14). Aids In Weight-loss :-

Health-conscious people should definitely add amla to their diet. Amla boosts metabolism, leading to the reduction of fat accumulation in the body. It also keeps the stomach full for a longer period of time. One need to include amla juice for weight loss.

15). Treats Respiratory Disorders :-

Amla is considered to have a beneficial effect on respiratory disorders. Vitamin C in amla makes it a mighty herbal medicine against cold and cough. Consumption of amla is known to boost immunity, reducing flu and throat infection. It helps to deal with chronic cough, tuberculosis and blocked chest problems. It is also found to alleviate asthma symptoms.

16). Improves 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.

17). Good For Skin And Hair :-

As gooseberry or amla contains vitamin c and has antioxidant properties, it is good for skin and hair. It's anti-inflammatory properties make it beneficial for skin and hair. It keeps the skin healthy, treats acne and pimples and add shine and youth to the skin due to it's anti - ageing properties. It is very beneficial for hair growth. If you want healthy long lustrous hair, try to incorporate amla in you diet.

18). Prevents Cancer :-

The high levels of antioxidant in amla inhibits the growth of carcinogenic cells, preventing cancer. It fights against free radicals hence, keeping the harmful free radicals at bay. It thus prevents the stomach, skin and liver cancer. Its Oxidative Radiance Activity Capacity (ORAC) prevents cell damage from oxidative stress that prevento the growth of tumor cells. Amla also counteracts the side effects of anti-cancer drugs.

19). Aids In Calcium Absorption :-

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 the Indian gooseberry is a great way to keep your body looking and feeling great. Amla aids in calcium absorption.

20). Treats Menstrual Cramps :-

Some of the minerals and vitamins in amla combine to make it very useful in the treatment of menstrual cramps. Amla is very helpful in the treatment of menstrual cramps. It is better to consume amla on a regular basis so its nutrients are always in the system and menstrual cramps can be prevented.

21). Improves 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. Indian Gooseberry improves our metabolic activity. Enzymes present in human body can break down 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 metabolic activities that we need to remain healthy.

22). Diuretic In Nature :-

This fruit is very high in water content. Amla is also slightly diuretic in nature. It is capable of increasing the frequency and volume of urination. Urination helps our body to eliminate unwanted toxins and excess levels of water, salt, and uric acid. This fruit can help you lose weight since up to 4% of urine is actually composed of fat. Therefore, a diuretic substance is always necessary for keeping your kidneys healthy and also preventing urinary and uterine infections. And amla being diuretic plays a great role in it.

23). Prevents From Jaundice :-

Amla posses antibacterial nature. It protects us from infections like jaundice and scurvy. You can consume amla daily in any form.

24). Beneficial For Liver :-

Studies suggest amla is beneficial for liver. Regular consumption of amla can cure ill effect and damage that alcoholast does on your liver. It also prevents the oxidative damages caused. Stop consuming alcohol to get this benefit.

25). Protects Against Gall Bladder Stone :-

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

26). Prevents Against Cancer :-

Due to its antibacterial properties, Amla is a great way of preventing ulcers. 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.

27). Anti-inflammatory :-

It reduces the level of acid in the stomach and combats stomach inflammation. It also keeps the liver in check and flushes out unhealthy toxins.

Side Effects Of Gooseberry Or Amla -

As in my each article related to food, fruits, veggies and herbs, i always say that anything if consumed in large amount can be dangerous for health. It can cause allergy too, so, it is necessary to keep an eye on allergies. Amla is extremely powerful health food, yet there can also be some severe side effects if you consume too much much amla, including constipation, hypoglycemia, dry skin, hypotension, acid reflux and allergic reactions.

Constipation –

Amla when consumed in right amount helps to strengthen the digestive system whereas, excess intake can cause constipation.

Dry Skin –

Amla is excellent for detoxifying the body, but it can lead to dehydration. Be sure to drink enough water in conjunction with amla juice or amla.

Acidity –

There is a huge amount of vitamin C in it, which is highly acidic in nature. This can build up in the body and the gut if not balanced by alkaline substances, particularly if you consume an excessive amount of it.

Blood Pressure –

It has ability to lower blood pressure. Precaution must be taken as Amla can prove dangerous when taken with blood pressure medication. Be sure that you are not on any kind of medication while consuming it. Always consult your doctor before adding amla to your diet.

Blood Sugar –

Indian gooseberry fruit regulates blood sugar levels. This suppression could lead to hypoglycemia, which is dangerous for normal people and diabetic patients alike.

Allergic Reactions –

Amla is healthy thenalso, it may be allergic to some people. In that condition, one may experience stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea or vomiting, or swelling of the lips, tongue or throat. Always check for it. Do not consume if you are already allergic to it. If you find any allergic symptoms, discontinue use immediately.

A Post By Admin.

Author ~ Swatti Sharrma ß