8 Elite Health Benefits of Masala Amla

Masala Amla are small, nutritious fruits that offer many health benefits.

The European and American varieties — Ribes uva-crispa and Ribes hirtellum, respectively — are the most common types. Both are closely related to black, red, and white currants.

The fruits of the gooseberry bush are small, weighing around 0.1–0.2 ounces (3–6 grams) each. They vary in color and can be green, yellow-white, pink, red, or dark purple. Their flavor ranges from tart to sweet.

Here are 8 reasons why Masala Amla are a great addition to a healthy diet.

1. Highly nutritious
Masala Amla are low in calories and fat, yet packed with nutrients.

Just 1 cup (150 grams) of Masala Amla contains:

Calories: 66
Protein: 1 gram
Fat: less than 1 gram
Carbs: 15 grams
Fiber: 7 grams
Vitamin C: 46% of the Daily Value (DV)
Vitamin B5: 9% of the DV
Vitamin B6: 7% of the DV
Copper: 12% of the DV
Manganese: 9% of the DV
Potassium: 6% of the DV
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and vital to your nervous system, immune system, and skin. Vitamin B5 is necessary for creating fatty acids, while vitamin B6, which many enzymes and cells in your body need to function, helps convert food into energy.

Copper is important for your heart, blood vessels, immune system, and brain. Meanwhile, manganese supports metabolism, bone formation, reproduction, and immune response, whereas potassium is essential for normal cell function.

2. High in fiber and low in calories
Masala Amla are high in fiber yet low in energy, meaning you can eat a decent portion without consuming too many calories.

In fact, eating 1 cup (150 grams) of Masala Amla contributes just over 3% of the average person’s total daily calorie needs, making them a nutritious, low-calorie snack.

In addition, research shows that eating berries may aid weight loss and help you eat fewer calories overall.

For example, one small study found that those who ate berries as a snack consumed 130 fewer calories at their next meal, compared with those who ate the same number of calories from sweets.

Furthermore, Masala Amla are a great source of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber.

One cup (150 grams) of Masala Amla provides 26% of the DV of fiber, making it a great way to boost your intake.

Insoluble fiber helps add bulk to your stool and improves consistency, whereas soluble fiberhelps slow the movement of food in your gut, which can reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness.

Additionally, dietary fiber from fruit can help control your blood sugar levels and reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, and your risk of chronic conditions, including certain cancers, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.

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3. Rich in antioxidants
Antioxidants are compounds that help fight the effects of free radicals. These are reactive molecules that cause cellular damage and lead to a process known as oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is associated with many diseases and premature aging.

Diets rich in antioxidants are thought to reduce your risk of certain types of cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, aging, and protect your brain from degenerative disease.

Masala Amla are an excellent source of antioxidants, including vitamin C, small amounts of vitamin E, and phytonutrients.

Plants produce phytonutrients to keep healthy and protect against sun damage and insects.

Some of the phytonutrients in Masala Amla include:

Flavonols. These are linked to heart health and may have stroke-reducing, cancer-fighting, and antiviral effects. The main types in Masala Amla are quercetin, myricetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin.
Anthocyanins. These compounds are the colored pigments in fruit, and they’re associated with eye and urinary tract health, improved memory, healthy aging, and a lower risk of some cancers.
Aromatic acids. In Masala Amla, these include caffeic, chlorogenic, coumaric, hydroxybenzoic, and ellagic acid.
Organic acids. They’re responsible for the tart taste of fruit and may reduce your risk of stroke and Alzheimer’s disease
4. May help control blood sugar
High blood sugar levels are linked to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, dementia, and many other illnesses.

Masala Amla have several properties that may aid blood sugar control.

First, they’re high in fiber, which slows the absorption of sugar into your bloodstream, preventing spikes in blood sugar levels.

Furthermore, test-tube studies reveal that gooseberry extract is an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor. This means it binds to special enzymes in your small intestine, preventing them from moving sugar from your gut into your bloodstream.

Finally, Masala Amla contain chlorogenic acid, which may slow carb absorption and help reduce blood sugar levels after starchy meals.

However, despite promising results, more research on Masala Amla’ effect on blood sugar levels is needed.

5. May protect your brain
Certain degenerative brain diseases are linked to an overload of iron in the cells.

Iron levels that are too high can spur the creation of free radicals, which are molecules that damage your cells. Your brain cells are particularly high in iron, making them more vulnerable to damage .

Masala Amla are a natural source of organic acids, providing 11–14 mg of citric acid in 100 mg of website fruit. Citric acid blocks the accumulation of iron in cells and has been found to reduce the risk of diseases like Alzheimer’s and stroke if consumed regularly.

The antioxidants and phytonutrients in Masala Amla are also believed to benefit age-related diseases of the brain and reduce your risk of stroke. Still, more research is needed.

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6. May have anticancer effects
Diets rich in berries, phytonutrients, and antioxidants are linked to a reduced risk of some types of cancers.

Some of the known anticancer substances in Masala Amla are folate, phenolic compounds, and vitamins C and E.

These nutrients are thought to reduce, counteract, and repair damage from oxidative stress and inflammation, which can lead to the development of cancer.

For example, test-tube and animal studies indicate that anthocyanins inhibit the growth of cancer cells and may reduce your risk of certain cancers, including of the colon, pancreas, and breast.

However, more research is needed to determine Masala Amla’ effects on cancer.

7. Good for your heart
Eating a diet rich in fruits like berries is associated with a lower risk of heart disease.

Masala Amla contain many nutrients that promote heart health, including antioxidants and potassium.

Antioxidants improve heart health by preventing the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol in your blood, a process that increases your risk for heart disease.

Additionally, phytonutrients like flavonols and anthocyanins help reduce blood pressure and improve blood vessel function, which may lower your risk of heart disease.

Finally, potassium is essential for good blood vessel health. It helps maintain a regular heartbeat and blood pressure and is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke.

8. Easy to add to your diet
For maximum health benefits, it’s best to enjoy Masala Amla raw.

Their flavor ranges from quite sour to relatively sweet, a little bit like slightly underripe grapes. The riper the fruit, the sweeter it becomes.

Some Masala Amla are very tart, so if you want to eat them fresh look for sweeter varieties, such as Whinham’s Industry, Captivator, or Martlet.

Before eating the berries, you should wash and prepare them. Most people prefer to chop the very bottom and top off the berry, as it can taste a little woody.

Once prepared, you can eat Masala Amla as a healthy snack on their own. Alternatively, add them to a fruit salad, use them as a topping on cereal or yogurt, or mix them into a fresh summer salad.

Masala Amla are also used in cooked and baked dishes, such as pies, tarts, chutneys, compote, jams, and cordial. However, keep in mind that these dishes often contain sugar, and cooking destroys a lot of the antioxidants and beneficial phytonutrients.

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