The health benefits of Indian Gooseberry which is widely known as Amla are enormous. This fruit which belongs to the ‘Euphorbiaceae’ family is mostly found in wet, forested, hilly areas of our country ripens in the month of Autumn. Though the fruit is sour, it’s very nourishing, consumed both in dried and fresh, it is known for its high vitamin-C content. This fruit enhances food absorption, balances stomach acid, fortifies the liver, nourishes the brain and mental functioning, supports the heart, strengthens the lungs, and regulates elimination of free radicals.
- Digestion
Like most fruits, amla is also very high in fibre content. Fibre adds bulk to the stool and helps food move through the bowels and keeps your bowel movements regular. This reduces the chances of constipation, and fibre can also bulk up loose stools and reduce diarrhoea. Fibre 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. - Helping Metabolism
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. Our enzymes 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 other metabolic activities that we need to remain healthy and happy! - Balancing blood sugar
They also contain 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 beta-blockers, which are used for heart health, by reducing the LDL-cholesterol content of the body. - Heart Disease
Amla helps in strengthening the heart muscles, so the heart pumps blood smoothly throughout the body. By reducing excess cholesterol build-up, the chromium can reduce the chances of atherosclerosis, or plaque build-up 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. - For gastric diseases
Due to its strong cooling and laxative properties, Gooseberry is a useful component in remedies for diarrhoea and dysentery. It provides great relief for the gastric syndrome and hyperchlorhydria (burning sensation in the abdomen). As a laxative, it helps flush out any toxins or harmful substances you may have eaten that are causing your discomfort or illness, thereby eliminating it from your system so the healing process can begin, and cooling the burning and discomfort often felt when diarrhoea occurs. - Anti-ageing power
Amla prevents health-related hyperlipidaemia by reducing the number of free radicals in the body through its antioxidant qualities. Free radicals are associated with signs of ageing like wrinkles and age spots. Moreover, 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. - Diuretic substance
Since water content is also high in Amla, the fruit 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, salts, and uric acid. Furthermore, it 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 our kidneys healthy and also preventing urinary infections and uterine infections. Alma is a great way to do this. - Haircare
Amla is used in many hair tonics because it enriches hair growth and hair pigmentation. It strengthens the roots of hair, maintains colour, and improves lustre. Eating fresh gooseberry or applying its paste on hair roots improves hair growth and colour. 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. - Blood purifier
Amla is known for its ability to purify the blood. Amla juice, when taken with honey every day twice, helps in relieving asthma and bronchitis complications. It also works wonder for blood purification. Eat the same mixture to get rid of the acidity problem. You can also use pure ghee instead of honey for acidic troubles. Amla’s antioxidant properties help the body purify the unwanted products from the blood and making it healthier. - Prevents Cancer
Rich presence of anti-oxidants, greatly helps, in restricting the growth of carcinogenic cells, which causes cancer. Anti-oxidant substances help in keeping harmful free radicals at bay. Antioxidants in amla can even counterattack the side effects of anti-cancer drugs. Stomach, skin and liver cancer can be successfully prevented by its intake. - For Weight Loss
Food accumulation of food and other fats is the main reason for gaining weight. So health conscious and obese people must add this fruit in their diet since it is found that Amla juice has been found to lower the fat content in the body. It helps in increasing the metabolism of food which leads to the reduction of food accumulation in the body. Fat accumulation can generate toxins in the body. These toxins slow the digestion process and hence hamper the health of a person. Amla is a rich source of Vitamin-C which can flush down these toxins. It is most effective when consumed empty stomach in the morning. - 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 has a long been known for their powerful effect on vision-related conditions, including those that stem from the free radical activity. Vitamin A and carotenes reduce macular degeneration, night blindness, and strengthen your vision before the age-related degeneration from free radicals can occur!