Gooseberry : Can we eat gooseberry in winter? What do you need to know?

Gooseberry(called as Amla):

            Gooseberry is a naturally occurring medicinal food that is easily available to humans. Gooseberry is rich in nutrients like calcium, vitamin C and protein so if you eat a gooseberry a day you can get nutrients similar to apple. And gooseberry is an incredibly healthy winter superfood. Gooseberry contains nutrients that repair your lung damage caused by cold air. Increases immunity and promotes good health.

Gooseberry

Even if the gooseberry is small in size to look at, its usefulness is huge. 

• It contains twice as many antioxidants as acai berry. 
• 17 times more than the pomegranate fruit. 
• It can cure colds, cancer and infertility
• It can repel various diseases.

So in fact gooseberry is a super food. This is called Amla. 

When we look at it in that way we will know in what varieties this gooseberry is used for us.

Gooseberry juice, pickles and gooseberry candies are some of the foods made from gooseberry available in the market throughout the year. Gooseberry season is mostly between the months of October - February so you can get it at a lower price. Eating gooseberry daily in winter is one of the best things you can do to keep your health in balance.

Benefits of eating gooseberry:

                  It usually causes colds and flu in winter. Acute cold also increases the risk of heart attack, causing high blood pressure and respiratory problems. 

Gooseberry Helps to correct health problems that occur in winter.

Gooseberry is rich in antioxidants which help in improving heart health, keeping blood pressure under control and preventing liver damage.

Large gooseberries also help alleviate heat:

                                  Gooseberry is rich in Vitamin C which strengthens your immune system and prevents winter infections. It also helps in regulating lung problems and keeping the airway running smoothly.

Fruits like grapes, oranges and lemons contain vitamin C. But gooseberry is high in vitamin C than any other fruit. That means a small gooseberry contains 600 mg of vitamin C.

Gooseberry also controls diseases transmitted by viruses.

How much gooseberry should be eaten in a day?

                     Gooseberry is much better to use as a fresh juice than to use as a candied, bottled juice. It is safer to make at home than the juices we buy and drink in stores. Fruits are healthy because they contain no processing chemicals or colors. Also, winter is the harvest season for gooseberries and it is important to use them now.

Small Gooseberry

You can eat gooseberry candies and gooseberry pickles throughout the year, but now is the time to gooseberry in large quantities so it is better to eat it everyday.

Strengthens the immune system:

                 The antibacterial and astringent properties of gooseberry are used to boost our immune system. Prevents things like cancer. It reduces the oxidative stress and protects healthy cells. The antioxidants in it help to repair the affected cells.

Increases eye sight ability

                    The carotene in gooseberry enhances eye sight. Eating gooseberry daily prevents cataract problem, intraocular pressure, redness of the eyes, itching and watery eyes.

Gooseberry Juice

                 Drink gooseberry juice on an empty stomach every morning for maximum benefit. You can eat 1-2 gooseberries daily in the morning. Do not eat more than 2 servings a day as it is high in vitamin C which can lead to constipation. Also, gooseberry can help keep you hydrated throughout the day.

Different ways to add gooseberry to the diet:

                        It is difficult to eat raw as the gooseberry has a slightly sour, astringent taste. To reduce its sourness, you can cut the fruit and add some salt and chilli powder on top. Or you can add salt to gooseberries and eat them fast.

Gooseberries can be used in any number of ways:

                        In the dry state ,Remove the nuts from the gooseberries, chop them into small pieces, add salt and dry in the sun for a few days. It can be used in a dry jar after the water has drained

Gooseberry Pickle:

Gooseberries can be soaked in sugar water and eaten as a sweet pickle.

Note: Gooseberry is healthy, but it is better to avoid it at some special time due to the acidity of this fruit. Individuals who have undergone surgery should consult a doctor before eating gooseberry. Pregnant women and breastfeeding women can avoid eating gooseberry.