gooseberries

For many, gooseberries are associated with summer and summer cottages. Delicious, slightly sour berries are pleasantly refreshing on hot summer days. And it is one of the most useful fruits bestowed on us by nature.

General characteristics

Gooseberry is a shrub closely related to currant. Both plants belong to the same family. The gooseberry is thought to have originated in Europe, but quickly and easily spread to other parts of the world. Nowadays, these sour fruits are known on all continents. Depending on the variety, the shrub can grow up to one and a half meters in height. Ripe fruits come in different colors: greenish-yellow is more common, but red-purple are also found.

Nutritional characteristics

Gooseberry is a dietary product. Two handfuls of berries contain a little more than 40 kcal, and the glycemic index of fresh fruits does not exceed 15 units. In order not to give a lecture now on the topic of glycemic indexes in food, let’s just say that this is actually a rather low (and therefore useful) indicator. He says that gooseberries (almost in any amount) will not cause sharp spikes in blood glucose, as do, for example, sweets, fried potatoes or other high-calorie foods. Thanks to this, gooseberries are absolutely safe for people with diabetes and dieters.

This garden berry contains a lot of vitamin C, provitamin A, B vitamins, tannins, flavonoids, various minerals and trace elements, including iron, phosphorus and copper. Ripe berries have been found to contain large amounts of serotonin, which has anti-cancer properties. And another remark about ascorbic acid: in ripe fruits it is twice as much as in unripe ones. Varieties with dark berries contain vitamin E and a large amount of pectin. Both components contribute to the removal of heavy metal salts from the body.

Benefits for the body

This small greenish fruit has huge benefits for the body. It is good for the prevention and treatment of hypertension, atherosclerosis and other diseases of the cardiovascular system. It helps lower cholesterol, has anti-inflammatory and tonic properties. It removes bile, acts as a mild laxative and diuretic, which helps to get rid of edema, is useful for metabolic disorders, obesity and chronic constipation. Fresh gooseberry juice removes toxins from the body and vice versa supplies the body with essential vitamins and minerals.

It is believed that gooseberries:

• strengthens muscles;
• sharpens cognitive abilities;
• improves liver and lung function;
• increases fertility;
• useful for vision;
• strengthens the immune system;
• normalizes cellular metabolism;
• useful for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

The Benefits of Gooseberries

For digestion

Nutritionists advise during the gooseberry season to eat a handful of berries with seeds and skins at least twice a day to improve the functioning of the digestive system. The fruits contain organic acids (malic and citric), which are also useful for digestion. The second important component is fiber, which stimulates intestinal motility. Although, looking ahead, it must be said that the role of dietary fiber in the body is not limited to this.

For heart

Gooseberries are a source of pectin.

And he serves as a kind of “trap” for cholesterol molecules, thereby reducing the level of lipids in the body. Potassium (also found in fruits) relieves blood vessels from excessive tension, prevents atherosclerosis and some other cardiac diseases.

For nerves

As sad as it is to say, stress has long been an integral part of modern life. At work again all hands on deck, nerves at the limit? No need to run to the pharmacy for another portion of “chemistry”. A handful of ripe gooseberries in a summer fruit salad will relieve stress like pills. These garden berries are high in magnesium and B vitamins, which support the nervous system, improve memory and concentration, and relieve symptoms of stress.

For joints

Two glasses of gooseberry juice a day is the best natural way to heal joints. The fruits contain substances that have an anti-inflammatory effect, which is very useful for relieving the symptoms of osteoarthritis. And being a natural diuretic, gooseberries are useful for removing excess uric acid from the body, which is one of the causes of gout.

For healthy body acidity

Studies show that meat eaters may have slightly increased body acidity. Gooseberries belong to the category of so-called alkaline foods. That is, when it enters the body, it regulates the acid-base balance, restoring natural levels. By the way, both fresh berries are suitable for these purposes, for example, sour gooseberry sauce served with different types of meat.

For eyes

The benefits of gooseberries should be appreciated by those who like to sit at the computer. This fruit is rich in lutein, which maintains visual acuity. More of this useful substance is found in dark berries and in a minimal amount in light green fruits. In addition, lutein slows down recurrent changes in the eyes, serves as a natural filter against UV radiation.

For smokers

Gooseberry, strawberry, banana, orange and apple. What do you think these fruits have in common? You can make smoothies or fresh juices from them, it is extremely rich in vitamin C. Scientists call this vitamin one of the best antioxidant substances that can protect the body from free radicals and carcinogens.

Cigarette smoke is one of the most toxic substances known to modern science, which contains a huge amount of carcinogens that slowly destroy the body.

Smokers need large portions of vitamin C to tame this destructive process a little. Gooseberries are excellent for such purposes.

For the treatment of anemia

Juicy gooseberry fruits contain iron and ascorbic acid, and this vitamin and mineral couple is a salvation from anemia. Iron increases the production of red blood cells (in other words, it improves hemoglobin levels). Ascorbic acid improves the body’s ability to absorb from food the very iron that restores a healthy blood formula. For this reason, in folk medicine, gooseberries are often mentioned as a remedy for anemia. Berries are recommended for people after operations or injuries with large blood loss, as well as for women with heavy menstruation.

Gooseberries in folk medicine

Researchers and herbalists consider gooseberries (especially dark varieties) even more beneficial than apples, cherries or raspberries. Here are a few ways to treat with gooseberries.

With anemia, beriberi, skin rashes, it is advised to drink gooseberry juice with a little honey. Improvement is predicted for 4-5 weeks of treatment. Juice from the berry can be obtained using a conventional juicer or pour crushed berries with a small amount of water. Berry juice will also help remove toxins and excess fat from the body. But in this case, drink a drink diluted 1: 2 with water. With sore throats and colds, juice and honey will also come to the rescue. A delicious drink can be drunk or gargled with it. Gooseberry juice was previously thought to cure malaria and all types of inflammation.

Gooseberry decoction has a mild laxative and analgesic effect. A spoonful of berries is poured with a glass of boiling water and boiled over very low heat for 10 minutes. A chilled and strained drink is consumed in a glass 4 times a day. The same decoction is suitable for the treatment of skin burns received after contact with poisonous plants. Lubricate the damaged skin with liquid several times a day. Therapeutic “compote” quickly relieves pain and accelerates healing. But only ripe berries are suitable for making medicine. Fresh fruits or a decoction of them are also useful for women with menstrual irregularities.

In folk medicine, not only berries are used, but also gooseberry leaves. So 25 g of dry leaves, brewed with half a liter of boiling water, are useful for removing kidney stones. This medicine is advised to take a glass three times a day (but only after consulting a doctor).

Possible dangers of gooseberries

Sour berries are not recommended for use in the presence of a stomach or duodenal ulcer. Due to the high content of tannins, the fruits are not recommended for colitis and enteritis. Seeds of berries can cause an exacerbation of certain intestinal diseases. It is also important to understand that due to the diuretic effect, excessive consumption of gooseberry decoction can cause dehydration of the body or leaching of useful substances from it.

Too many berries are not desirable for people with kidney or urinary tract diseases, as well as for people with individual hypersensitivity to these berries.

Use in cosmetology

Studies have shown that succinic acid contained in gooseberries has the properties of an “elixir of youth”. In cosmetology, the juice of this berry is added to anti-wrinkle products. Fresh pulp masks have antioxidant properties, cleanse the skin and lighten age spots. Cosmetics with gooseberry extract stimulates the production of collagen, prevents early skin laxity, makes it elastic, and also accelerates the regeneration of epidermal cells, soothes irritation and inflammation on the skin.

Berry mask

A natural mask made from ripe gooseberries will restore the radiance of the skin. For this home remedy, you only need crushed berries into gruel. The mask is kept on the face for 20 minutes, then washed off with warm water. If desired, you can supplement it with other ingredients, such as a beaten egg, vegetable oil, yogurt, cream or other fruits. In addition, crushed gooseberries (along with seeds) are suitable for home peeling.

If summer and childhood have their own taste, then it definitely resembles gooseberries. Appearing in July, these berries indulge in their useful composition until autumn. If you want to enjoy this fresh sweet and sour taste in winter, then the main thing is not to forget to make preparations in time. Gooseberries in the form of jams, compotes, frozen berries, liqueurs, tinctures and wines will be a great reminder of a sunny summer.