7 Reasons Why Amla is a Superfruit!

Amla or Indian Gooseberry is a green, semi-transparent fruit which is famous for its varied health benefits, and its ability to treat innumerable diseases. 

Ayurvedic records prove that Amalaki (amla in Sanskrit), brings balance to the three doshas in one’s body- Kapha, Vata, and pitta. These doshas, which are the root cause of almost all diseases, are fairly equated to the health benefits of amla, thereby disseminating curative properties.

The fruit has a mixed taste of bitter sour, sweet and pungent flavors. It is mainly available during the winter months and provides you with just the right punch of nutrients that your body requires. 

You may consume it in raw form, or in the form of amla juice, pickle, murabba, or candy bites.

What are the Health Benefits of Amla?

Amla can impart many benefits to different body parts- like the skin, hair, heart, and the alimentary canal, these include:

• Slows Down Skin-Aging & Prevents Acne: As you age, you find ways that typically help you look younger. Amla can help. Its antioxidants and Vitamin C content promote skin elasticity and beat aging cells. Amla consumption helps prevent fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, blemishes, and other signs of aging. You may juice an amla, add some sweetener (preferably natural sweetener), and consume it daily to reap anti-aging benefits. Other than this, consuming or even applying amla on your skin can help in curing pimples, and scars of acne. This is because amla purifies the blood, and skin cells, and gives you pimple-free skin.

• Improves Immunity & Provides Protection Against Infections: Amla is an excellent source of Vitamin C. It helps the body by boosting metabolism and gives a kick to your immunity. Especially during the pandemic, you can consume amla regularly to maintain good health, which in turn provides protection to the body against chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Amla also helps in protecting against bacterial, and fungal infections, and the common cold, as it helps in removing sputum, mucus, and germs from the air passage, and clears the path. 

• Prevents Occurrence of Dandruff & Enhances Quality of Hair: Dandruff can be extremely difficult to handle. But all you need to do is, put aside chemical-based anti-dandruff ointments and shampoos, and switch to amla. You can use it in the form of a paste, apply it over your scalp, and leave it for about 15 minutes. The amla paste contains mashed or juiced amla and yogurt. Nutrient-rich amla also helps in the repair of hair damage, and naturally conditions your hair. Apart from this, amla also smoothens and strengthens

• Prevents Constipation: Amla improves the way your digestive system functions. Its high fiber content and alkaline nature provide a cure for constipation and digestion-related problems. It can also help relieve stomach pain and body aches. Amla also contributes to providing relief from ulcers, stomach burns, and painful cramps. 

• Contributes to Weight Management: For people who are planning to lose weight, and are finding the right ingredients for their weight-loss diets, then, amla is the right choice for you! Amla improves digestion and metabolic activity in your body. It can keep you full for a long time, and contribute to curbing your food intake. It also boosts the nutrient assimilation process, which leads to effective weight management and control. 

• Good for your Brain Health: Amla contains phytonutrients and nutrients which oppose the free radicals present in the brain. This boosts your concentration, memory, aptitude, and learning abilities. The antioxidants present in amla also make it a great stress reliever, improving overall mental health. 

• Facilitates Purification of Blood: The presence of intoxicated blood in your body is the root cause of several diseases. Consumption of amla reduces the toxin levels in your blood by purifying it. Simply put, it increases blood count and hemoglobin, transfers required nutrients to different organs, and assists in flushing out toxins from your body

Precautions:

• Make sure you consume fresh amla. Consumption of stale amla is not advised. 
• Amla consumption may lead to blood clotting because of its antiplatelet properties. 
• You may notice volatility in blood sugar levels if you consume amla regularly. Amla consumption can typically lead to decreased blood sugar levels, and hence patients with diabetes who aim at controlling blood sugar levels must be careful while consuming amla.