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| Aguaymanto |
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The Aguaymanto (Physalis peruviana) has its roots in the Andes of Peru. Aguaymanto has various names in English: golden berry, ground berry and gooseberry seem to be the most common. The Mexican species is more well-known: the tomatillo.
This round berry owes its resemblance to a small Chinese lantern for the fine, papery husk that envelops the fruit. When ripe, it is bright yellow-orange in color and boasts a tangy sweetness, like a pineapple or a tart strawberry.
The Aguaymanto is also used to make jam, ice-cream, liqueurs, and fermented beverages. Its extensive root system serves an important role in protecting hillsides from erosion.
Health Benefits
The tiny translucent gooseberry is one of the most abundant sources of vitamin C available among all plants and fruits. The gooseberry fruit contains as much as 20 times of vitamin C as that in an orange.
The gooseberry is known to be a powerful antioxidant and is effective in boosting immunity while restoring and rejuvenating the vitality of the body.
Among many health benefits of gooseberry, treating respiratory disorders is chief among them. Its high content of nutrients available in the tiny fruit is useful in enhancing food absorption, fortifying the liver, enhancing mental functioning, and supporting cardiovascular activity, strengthening lungs, enhancing fertility, and soothing the urinary system during infections. The various nutrients include calcium, phosphorus and Vitamin B complex.
It is clinically proved to have anti-inflammatory properties as well as anti-aging abilities preventing the presence of excess lipids in the blood. The juice of gooseberry blended with honey is extremely useful in improving eyesight and is a popular herbal remedy among herbalists.
Gooseberries helps diabetic patients in reducing the level of sugar in the blood and stimulating the hormones that secrete insulin. It helps in enhancing protein synthesis and is highly effective in patients with hypoglycemia.
It is also helpful increasing production of red blood corpuscles in the body and strengthening teeth and nails.
It is a powerful and nourishing health food for people belonging to any age group and a regular consumption of gooseberry can ensure good health as well as prevention from acute and chronic maladies. Recent studies have also proven that gooseberries possess antifungal properties and are effective in inhibiting the formation of the yeast in fungal infections. Similarly, Daily consumption of gooseberries helps in neutralizing toxins that have built up in the body over a period of time.
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