Health Benefits of Gooseberries
Gooseberries are healthy little devils comprised of twenty times the amount of Vitamin C as oranges, as well as good doses of Vitamins A, B complex, C, E, calcium, carotene, chromium, fibre, iron, magnesium and phosphorous.
WELLNESS
These little berries that resemble grapes but actually contain seeds, are gaining popularity in their own right on the world health scene due to their extraordinary health benefits including but not limited to:
Anti cancer properties Rich in vitamins A, C and flavonoid antioxidants, gooseberries have been shown to protect one from lung and oral cavity cancers.
Brain health The phenolic phytochemicals inherent in gooseberries can prevent neurological disorders.
Diabetes this fruit is rich in chromium, which is helpful in treating diabetes helping promote the secretion of insulin.
Diarrhea/Dysentery Gooseberries have effective cooling and laxative abilities and are helpful in relieving diarrhea and dysentery.
Eye health Vitamin A is essential for promoting high visual acuity and drinking gooseberry juice, in particular, has been shown to improve nearsightedness, treat intraocular tension and prevent cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Fibre One cup of this fruit boasts an extraordinary 6.5 grams of fibre, which is 1/3 the recommended daily intake. Fibre will help keep you regular, rid the body of toxic wastes and thus help prevent diseases like colon cancer.
Heart health Potassium helps maintain healthy muscles, including the heart, and can regulate the heart beat and lower blood pressure. Gooseberries can also lower cholesterol levels.
Immunity Vitamin C, which is highly prevalent in gooseberries, is a knock-out immune system booster and can help ward off the onset and symptoms of the common cold, influenza and various other infections and viruses. Gooseberries natural cooling properties are a great way to assuage a burning fever.
Women’s health Gooseberries are revered for their anti-fungal abilities and can keep away pesky yeast infections and successfully and naturally treat the symptoms if you do have one.
BEAUTY
Antioxidant properties Gooseberries have antioxidant super powers to fight off cell damaging free radicals and oxidative stress, reduce the risk of premature aging, and promote healthy wrinkle-free skin, strong, resilient nails and shiny, supple locks. Gooseberries are even said to enhance hair pigmentation.
WEIGHT LOSS
These little berries have only 66 calories and a whopping 6.5 grams of fibre per one cup serving. They will fill you up , making you less likely to reach for empty snacks, and help flush out wastes and promote regular and healthy weight loss.
These berries can be eaten in the raw, dried, cooked and juiced, gooseberry kombucha, why not?
Add to your favorite winter fruit as a crumble with quince, pear, apple, etc
Gooseberries can be poached for several minutes in rapardsa sugar and lemon zest and then whisked together with red wine, chicken stock, honey and herbs for a deeply colored, and flavored, sauce to spoon over a duck breast or pork loin
You can also make a delightful gooseberry and ginger cheesecake with a toasted oat & coconut base or a sublime gooseberry and elderflower sorbet.
Interesting fact about Gooseberries: The tree on which these powerful berries grow is considered sacred in India.
