Amla Benefits : Reasons To Add Amla To Your Daily Diet

Amla or Indian gooseberry is one of the most loved medicinal fruits that is found in the Indian subcontinent. Its scientific name is Emblica officinalis. It is particularly known for its peculiar taste and a number of flavours ranging from sweet, bitter, sour, and pungent. Did you know that amla is said to originate from the first ever tree that was planted on Earth?! In fact, according to legends, this fruit was a result of the tears of Lord Brahma that came out of his eyes while he was engrossed in deep meditation.

Amla’s  association with the divinity received a boost when it was discovered that this gooseberry also contains a variety of healing powers which can help people recover from a number of ailments. Amla benefits are wide ranging yet lesser-known among today’s population. The modern generation of today is so caught up in the fast paced life that whenever they fall ill, instead of going the natural way, they resort to expensive medicines and treatments. If only they come to know about gooseberry benefits half of their health woes will have automatically dissipated.

This fruit can be eaten or used externally and is available in powder and juice form also. Amla powder benefits can be felt by both the young and the old alike. If you have been oblivious of this medicinal fruit, then it is time for you to get pleasantly surprised. Through this article, you will find out why this fruit has acquired the status of a ‘super berry’ among the medical community.

Amazing Benefits of Amla

Indian gooseberry has been a central element in the ancient Indian tradition of Ayurvedic medicine. Apart from that, it is also used in various ways in Unani, Chinese, Sri Lankan, and Tibetan medicine. According to studies, it acts as an astringent and is immensely beneficial in the treatment of problems like hyperacidity, gastritis, constipation, haemorrhoids, colitis, anemia, asthma, diabetes, cough, osteoporosis, among others. As you can see the list of amla benefits is endless. Let us read about them in greater detail.

1. Protects against cough and cold

2. Acts as an immunity booster

3. Helps in weight loss

4. Maintains youthful skin and healthy hair

5. Purifies the blood in the body

6. Helps treat chronic conditions

1.   Protects against Cough and  Cold

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Do you know why Amla has such a tangy taste? It is because it contains tons of vitamin C in it. Vitamin C’s benefits are known to everyone today. In a bid to consume more vitamin C, people flock to the market to buy its supplements. But do you know that the vitamin C present in those supplements is not as effectively absorbed by the body as vitamin C from amla?. If you are suffering from then drinking amla juice or mixing amla powder with two teaspoons of honey will effectively provide you relief. You can also get rid of illnesses like bronchitis and asthma by making amla a regular part of your diet. It will prove especially beneficial during the winters because it is only during the cold months that respiratory illnesses become more prevalent.

2. Acts as an Immunity Booster

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Due to the high levels of vitamin C present in Indian gooseberry, Amla is your weapon against low immunity. It can effectively fight various viral and bacterial infections and help you recover fast from them. A common question that people who want to include amla in their diet but are not sure how to ask is how many Amla should be eaten in a day? 1-2 gooseberries everyday will provide you with strength and enable the immune system in your body to function at its peak. As it is a source of antioxidants, it will prevent your body from oxidative damage, meaning, you will minimize your risk of developing life threatening diseases like cancer to a great extent.

3. Helps in Weight Loss

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There is good news for those who have given up on their weight loss journey.  Amla juice benefits your metabolism by curbing your appetite and thus making you stay away from consuming excess calories. Start eating at least one amla or drinking its juice on an empty stomach every morning. When you start doing this, you might initially wonder, What happens if you eat Amla daily? Not only will you kickstart your metabolism but you will also notice that you are feeling fuller, more energetic, and best of all, losing weight every alternate day. To get greater satisfaction from your meals, drink a glass of amla juice right before you eat your food. You will instantly observe a difference in your appetite.

4. Maintains Youthful Skin and Healthy Hair

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You must have heard many people raving about the benefits of amla juice for healthy skin and hair. Well, they have good reason to do so. If you want to heal your skin from within and avoid relying on store bought treatments and drugs, then start drinking amla juice daily. It will clear away all the toxins that buildup inside your body and as a result you will find your skin clear and bright. No longer will you have to suffer from skin issues like acne, pimple, and dryness. You can also apply an amla hair pack that is made of amla powder mixed with water and get rid of premature greying, dandruff, and hairfall. Amla oil is also available in the market and after using it consistently for some time you will surely notice a difference in the quality of your hair.

5. Purifies the Blood in the Body

Amla and its juice, Credit: Pixabay

Due to its high levels of vitamin C content, amla benefits your blood vessels by making them thicker and stronger. You only have to take some amla powder, mix it with a tablespoon of honey and eat it. This concoction will detoxify your entire body, purify your blood, and raise your hemoglobin. Now you may be wondering, what is the best time to eat Amla?. Consuming it early in the morning will give you its greatest benefits. By removing harmful substances from your body, it will help you start your day with high energy and you will receive all its benefits.

6. Helps Treat Chronic Conditions

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Chronic conditions like heart diseases, asthma, high cholesterol, diabetes, and cancer have started to affect people more than before. But you can minimize your risk of developing these health conditions by consuming amla in different forms. Chronic conditions are caused by the presence of free radicals in your body. These free radicals are very harmful to your health and are the major reason behind people falling victim to chronic conditions. Amla is known to repair the damage. Hence, by consuming amla, you are likely to remain free from all such ailments.

 What Are the Side Effects of Amla?

Amla is a safe medicinal fruit and can be eaten by everyone. However, pregnant and breastfeeding women should consume it only after consulting with their doctor. Indian gooseberries tend to decrease blood sugar levels to a great extent. Hence, diabetics do not need to consume it everyday.

Now that you have found out just how amazing amla is for your health, we hope that you wouldn’t think twice before making it a part of your diet.