The amla or Indian gooseberry might not announce itself as loudly as bright red strawberry or the dark glossy blueberry, but its pale green surface conceals more nutrition and powerful natural healing properties than you’d imagine. Here’s a roundup of some of the major health benefits of amla.
1. Keeps Blood Sugar Levels Down
If you’re diabetic, amla has a lot to offer. Studies have found that amla can improve glucose metabolism in your body, making it a great antidiabetic agent.1 Due to the antioxidant content and its ability to fight free radicals, amla can help you overcome or even avoid hypoglycemia, as well as related problems that diabetics face, including diabetic nephropathy and cardiac complications.2
2. Fights Bacteria (And Viruses And Fungi!)
Amla has antiviral and antifungal properties besides possessing antibacterial properties. As multiple studies using the aqueous extract of the amla fruit have found, it was effective in inhibiting bacterial growth of the Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans, and Enterococcus faecalis strain.3 Its antimicrobial potential is huge – one group of researchers found it was able to help battle no less than 186 bacterial isolates drawn from as many as 10 different genera.4
3. Offers An Antioxidant Boost To Battle Cancer
Amla is packed to the gills with goodness. Whether it is phenols, flavonols, or phenolic acids, the humble gooseberry has them in copious amounts.5 Antioxidants are beneficial to the body in a host of different ways, from fighting free radical damage to your skin to even taking on the big C. According to research, the fruit has a staggering 18 compounds that can inhibit the progress of breast cancer, gastric cancer, and uterine cancer. The fruit acts a natural antimutagenic agent and also has chemopreventive properties. It is able to prevent the proliferation of tumor cells by helping to kill them naturally while also building your own immunity.6
4. Staves Off Heart Disease
The anti-inflammatory powers of amla make it a natural ally in the fight against cardiovascular disease. It reduces cell membrane damage brought about by reactive free radicals and reduces inflammation in the arteries as well as throughout the body.7
One study found it could even help with dyslipidemia, a condition where your cholesterol levels are not at healthy levels. Taking an extract of amla helped lower total cholesterol and the bad LDL cholesterol, while also boosting the good HDL cholesterol.8
The combination of vitamins and minerals the amla fruit contains helps it support protein synthesis, revving up your metabolism and aiding faster fat burn.9 You can also bring down that blood pressure with amla – the high levels of vitamin C help the body keep blood vessels dilated.10
5. Treats Jaundice
Ayurveda has recommended the use of amla for a range of illnesses for centuries. Jaundice has traditionally been treated with fermented juice of the amla fruit. If you have it along with iron, you stand to see even better results, especially if your jaundice is a result of anemia.11
6. Provides Good Dental Health
Since the Indian gooseberry is such a powerful antimicrobial agent, its effects prove useful with different kinds of pathogens, including the ones responsible for dental problems. One study found that different extracts (hot and cold water, methanol, acetone, and ethanol) of amla inhibited the growth of Streptococcus mutans bacteria. In addition, the acetone and hot and cold water extracts of the fruit proved effective against Staphylococcus aureus, leading researchers to suggest that it could be beneficial as a treatment for dental caries (tooth decay and cavities).12
7. Eases Diarrhea And Dysentery
A refreshing drink made from the amla fruit combined with lemon juice has proven beneficial in stopping acute bacillary dysentery. In addition to pumping antioxidants into your body and hydrating you (since it is taken as a diluted sherbet), its antimicrobial property means your body is able to restore digestive health as well. The dried amla fruit too can be eaten for easing diarrhea.13
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