Indian gooseberry, better known as amla, was considered a miraculous food in the ancient Ayurveda. The abundance of vitamin C and other nutrients makes it a superfood and it’s still used in various forms for its well-known health benefits. Botanically known as Emblica Officinalis, amla is a very sour fruit and is found mostly in India and tropical South East Asia.
The taste might not appeal to you at once, but do not dismiss it right away because the health benefits of Indian gooseberry are much more than you can imagine. Also, there are many ways by which, you can savor the fruit in the form of yummy chutneys, pickles, jams, marmalades, and juices. Here are 35 amazing health benefits of Indian gooseberry you must know.
1. Rich Source of Vitamin C
Amla is the greatest natural source of vitamin C, so instead of tossing vitamin C supplements and pills, try dried amla. It’s easily absorbed by the body without causing any harm.
2. Helpful in Cold and Sore Throat
Indian gooseberry is a great help in curing sore throat and cold. Mix 2 tsp of amla powder in 2 tsp honey and have it 3 to 4 times a day.
3. Helpful in Arthritis
Indian gooseberry has anti-inflammatory properties, which help in relieving joint pain and swelling that happens due to arthritis. For this, you can have raw amla or juice every day in the morning.
4. Eyesight
Indian gooseberry is very well known for improving eyesight. It also helps in curing itchy, watery, and red eyes. If taken regularly, it can give you miraculous results in restoring your eyesight.
5. Reduces Indigestion and Constipation
Taking gooseberry powder every day helps in reducing constipation and improves digestion. It’s a gentle laxative and rich in fibers, so it will be a great help in digestion-related problems.
6. Burns Fat
Gooseberry is also known to reduce obesity. It increases the protein level in the body, which, in turn, reduces unwanted fat. It trims down the cholesterol level. Hence, the risk of heart attack is also decreased.
7. Controls Diabetes
Amla is also very beneficial for diabetic patients. Take amla with turmeric powder or honey regularly to cure diabetes.
8. Mouth Ulcers
Mouth ulcers happen for a lot of reasons, like indigestion, infection, etc. Amla juice is the best solution for curing mouth ulcers. Mix amla juice in water and gargle with it twice a day.
9. Regulates Acidity
Regular consumption of Indian gooseberry is very good for your stomach. It is helpful in treating gastritis or burning sensations in the abdomen. It’s also used in curing peptic ulcers and piles. You can have amla with pure ghee daily to cure gastritis.
10. Purifies Blood
Amla is a great antioxidant and blood purifier. It eliminates toxins from the body and aids you on so many levels that you won’t even know. Regular consumption helps in increasing the hemoglobin and red blood cell count.
11. Immunity Booster
Amla is an immunity booster for the body. Due to an abundance of vitamin C, it boosts the immunity of the body against infections and diseases.
12. Improves Metabolism
Indian gooseberry is a wonder food for fitness enthusiasts. It intensifies the body’s metabolism. The better metabolism you will have, the faster you’ll lose weight. So, if you want to discard those extra pounds, include amla in your daily diet and see the results.
13. Cures Sleeplessness or Insomnia
If you have problems having a sound sleep or have a disturbed sleep cycle, amla is just what you need. Include fresh gooseberry juice in your diet for a sound sleep. Amla juice can be mixed with coarse nutmeg powder to cure many sleep disorders.
14. Strengthens the Bones
Indian gooseberry strengthens the bones not only because of the calcium content but also because of its property to lower the osteoclasts. Osteoclasts are the cells responsible for breaking the bones.
15. Cancer Prevention
Regular consumption of amla helps in reducing the risk of cancer. Indian gooseberry is very rich in antioxidants, especially superoxide dismutase, which guards the body against free radicals. Regular use of gooseberry can also safeguard you against severe problems, like cancer.
16. Secures against Heart Diseases
Amla is considered very beneficial for the heart. It strengthens heart muscles so that the heart is able to pump blood more efficiently. It also controls cholesterol levels, thus, reducing the chances of heart attacks.
17. Helps in Reducing the Ill Effects of Smoking
Indian gooseberry is well-known for protecting the liver. Studies have shown that regular intake of amla reduces the ill effects of smoking on the lungs. Since it’s a very good antioxidant, it fights off the free radicals generated from cigarette smoke.
18. Prevents Jaundice and Scurvy
Regular intake of amla prevents the outbreak of scurvy and jaundice. For this, you must drink one glass of Indian gooseberry juice every morning on an empty stomach.
19. Reduces the Risk of Stone Formation
Amla also reduces the risk of stone formation in the gall bladder. Stones are formed because of excess cholesterol, and Indian gooseberry reduces the risk by converting cholesterol into bile acid in the liver.
20. Cooling Properties
Most people consider that amla is useful only in winters. Very few know that Indian gooseberry contains 20 times more vitamin C than an orange. Vitamin C improves tannins that shield heat and light. Amla keeps your body and skin cool in summers by sorting the heat out.
