Unless you’re a total health-freak, you probably had no idea the amla berry existed.
But that doesn’t mean you haven’t encountered it somehow in your life. You may be more familiar with its more common name, Indian gooseberry.
Native to Southeast Asia, this Indian treasure is heralded for its nutritional value in Ayurvedic medicine and considered a rare superfood.
The oil from this plant is sometimes used in hair products, for its ability to nourish and improve hair health. The fruit itself can also promote healthy living.
While the berry looks like a large grape with its rounded, green exterior and slightly sour taste, it’s most definitely not! One of the main differences is its antioxidant properties.
So, just what can that help with?
Amla Berry Provides the Body with Helpful, Plant-Based Antioxidants
The berry contains antioxidants that can help protect and nourish the body by aiding with various body processes.
Fighting Oxidative Stress & Inflammation
Generally, antioxidants can help fight free radicals that may appear in the body. While the production of these radicals is actually normal (and necessary in some instances), excess amounts can be detrimental. This is because they can contribute to harmful diseases.
How exactly does this happen?
In essence, these radicals cause damage by causing your body to react to them, sometimes leading to a chain reaction of sorts. This damages cells in the process.
So, where does this Indian gooseberry come in?
Consumption (among other health foods, like greens) can help promote your body’s ability to protects its cells from their damage. That is because it contains flavinoid antioxidants, like quercetin. Reduction and neutralization of free radicals can also support the body’s response to inflammation.
That is in addition to the fruit’s natural ability to fight inflammation.
In one study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, gooseberry was associated with decreased levels of cytokines, an inflammatory biomarker. Though, it’s worth mentioning that this study was based on test tube analysis.
Supporting Sustained Blood Sugar Levels + Diabetes Support
This fruit’s anitoxidant power is amplified in conjunction with fiber. Together, they can help support healthy blood sugar levels by slowing sugar absorption.
But that’s only just a fraction of how it might be able to help diabetes patients.
One study published in Food & Function reports that the could help prevent consequences of uncontrolled levels, like kidney damage.
Naturopaths have also linked this berry to hyperglycemia and diabetic nephropathy prevention, and protein maintenance.
Supplying a Good Source of Vitamin C
Vitamin C provides antioxidant support, especially with its ability to help strengthen the immune system. Luckily, the the gooseberry contains high amounts of Vitamin C.
In fact, Live Strong reports that it amounts to 20 times the levels found in orange juice.
Plus, gooseberry’s natural properties make it like no other source of Vitamin C out there.
Sorry to sounds like a cars salesman, but these properties are pretty cool.
You see, this berry contains natural substances that help protect its vitamin-content, even when it’s being heated or dried. And gooseberry’s particular Vitamin C source is suggested to be better absorbed by the body when compared to synthetic sources because of its flavinoid-content.
Supports Skin and Hair with Vitamin E
Another vitamin antioxidant that amla helps provide is Vitamin E. This comes especially in handy for hair and skin health. While most evidence of this is anecdotal, some studies do show support.
For example, one field review reports that Vitamin E could help fight oxidation stress, therefore protecting skin. In particular, the vitamin is said to encourage healthy nails.
And as for hair?
Well, lots of shampoo and conditioner companies actually integrate Vitamin E into their formula. Well, that and a bunch of non-essential and potentially harmful chemicals like parabens.
Alma berry provides the vitamin, naturally.
A Tropical Life Sciences Research study found that the vitamin and antioxidant may help support hair growth for some people with alopecia.
Pure Planet’s Amla Plus
We recognize the antioxidant benefits of amla and that’s why we decided to strengthen our own dried powder blends with spirluina. Spirulina has been known to help fight against free radicals in the body and protein synthesis. We think they’re the perfect pair to help maximize absorption and support a high protein diet.
Our Organic Alma Plus may help boost immune function, while also protecting the body with oxidative stress.
Sources:
https://draxe.com/indian-gooseberry/
https://www.livestrong.com/article/402676-the-best-natural-source-of-vitamin-c/
Studies:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/amla-emblica-officinalis-gaertn-extract-inhibits-lipopolysaccharideinduced-procoagulant-and-proinflammatory-factors-in-cultured-vascular-endothelial-cells/0AA3329674FECC3FD2726A71C4C36C54
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23978895
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4976416/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3819075/
