Beneficial effects of Gooseberries
Over the years Gooseberries have been know as spices of the wild, growing and thriving preeminently in thorny bushes. Their history dates back to the 16th century, when they were discovered in Europe. Nowadays they are plenty found in Africa and Asia.
Towards the end of the 16th century, Britons began developing new varieties and there are now around 2,000 cultivars. The two main gooseberry types are American and European (Ribes uva-crispa), which are larger and tastier. They’re from the same botanical family as currants, small and firm but sometimes wavy and translucent; gooseberries are unique little plant-based food growing in Britain.
The European gooseberry (Emblica officinalis, or amla) is light green and extremely bitter. While the American sometimes called a Peruvian cherry, is yellow-orange and surrounded by a paper-thin husk that falls off as it dries. In the U.S, fresh gooseberries are usually ripe for picking around July;
According to Dr Nyamongo, the Director of Genetic Resource Research Institute (GeRRI), these naturalized species used to be harvested from the wild but plans are underway to have it domesticated and cultivated for purposes of developing products such as germ and juice.
Interestingly, gooseberries come in varying shades of yellow, green, red, or black, and can be round, oval, pear-shaped, or elongated. There can be tart and sweet berries on one bush, each containing a plethora of miniscule and edible seeds. Gooseberries thrive in changing seasons involving frigid winters and humid summers, and they’re more tolerant under shade than other fruits.
“The country currently relies on imported germ while there is potential to develop the industry utilizing some of these naturalized and indigenous wild species which are often more nutritious” said Dr Nyamongo.
Flavones and anthocyanins are compounds found in gooseberries and have numerous beneficial health effects against cancer, aging, inflammation, as well neurological diseases. Gooseberries are rich in antioxidant polyphenolics and vitamins. The fiber content constitutes 26 percent of the daily recommended value, giving it the the ability to prevent colon cancer.
The “wild fruit”, contain a healthy dose of scurvy preventing vitamin C (69 percent of the daily value), which is nearly 20 times the vitamin C present in oranges. It is important to note that gooseberry does not lose the vitamin C during germ as well as juice making processes
A wide array of other vitamins, minerals, protein, and omega fatty acids make this little berry exceptionally nutritious. A good example include vitamin A, folates, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) for healthy adrenal glands, pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), and thiamin (vitamin B1)
Minerals such as calcium that prevent osteoporosis, magnesium and potassium that help in balancing blood pressure are also found in minimal percentage. Other compounds include copper, phosphorus, and manganese that balance acid as well as iron that is essential in regeneration of red blood cells.
Supplementary benefits include, diabetes prevention and cataract-correction due to the retinol in the vitamin A. Gooseberry juice is also said to improve skin tone, preventing hair loss, and general rejuvenating of the body.
Nevertheless, gooseberries need to be consumed in moderation because they contain fructose, which may be harmful to the human health if taken in excessive amounts.
