Gooseberries - Here are some serving tips:

Gooseberries - Here are some serving tips:

• Fresh, succulent, sweet gooseberries can be eaten all alone as table fruits/salads, especially varieties like red-London, purple, early sulphur etc. 
• Tart, astringent quality berries are favored in fish, poultry, and meat dishes.
• They are used in agro-food industry to prepare jam, jellies, juice, sauce, etc. 
• The berries are also used in muffins, pie-fillings, and ice creams.

Gooseberries are tart berries commonly used in fruit desserts or served in cooked sauces for rich meat like roast duck. They are low in calories, fat- and cholesterol-free and a good source of essential nutrients including vitamin C, vitamin A, manganese and dietary fiber.

Gooseberries ( Amla) - Health Benefits

Gooseberries ( Amla) - Health Benefits

1.) It’s an excellent source of Vitamin C:

Amla is a highly potent form of Vitamin C, and contains much more Vitamin C than is found in oranges.

2.) It enhances immunity.

3.) It’s high in antioxidants.

Antioxidants prevent the body against free radicals. Free radicals are harmful and can damage cells, potentially leading to cancer and other possible diseases.

4.) It reduces inflammation.

5.) It is good for digestion, and helps the body to absorb and assimilate nutrients from the foods we eat.

Amla also reduces acidity. It’s a lot more slow and gentle than other herbs that aid digestion. For example, ginger is an herb/root used for digestion. It is a lot stronger and warmer than Amla. But don’t get me wrong, ginger is great for anyone who can handle it. Personally, as an individual who’s a bit more sensitive than most people, I tend to not have it very often. I prefer the gentleness and cooler quality of Amla.

6.) It strengthens the liver and helps us to flush out toxins.

7.) It’s great for the urinary system.

It helps flush out toxins through the urinary system without over-stimulating it.

8.) Great for the skin.

Whenever you see someone with a lot of skin blemishes or acne, often times it’s due to them having a liver overrun by toxins.        Since Amla helps to detoxify the liver and aids digestion (as well as being a good source of Vitamin C and other minerals), one of the results of taking it regularly is that it’s good for one’s complexion.

9.) Gives us healthier, more lustrous hair.

Since Amla is great for digestion, it makes it easier for our bodies to absorb the calcium in the foods we eat, therefore resulting in healthier hair (not to mention healthier bones, teeth, and nails). It helps us to preserve our natural, youthful hair color, and minimizes hair loss.

10.) Relieves menstrual cramping.

If you plan to take Amla specifically to get rid of menstrual cramps, you’ll need to start taking it at least a few weeks before menstruation in order for it to be in your system long enough to have an effect.

Reduces the risk of Prostate Cancer- Watermelons

Watermelon is a rich natural source of lycopene, a carotenoid of great interest because of its antioxidant capacity and potential health benefits. Dietary consumption of the carotenoid lycopene has been associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer. Data from studies provides evidence that increased consumption of lycopene-containing foods might reduce the occurrence or progression of prostate cancer.
The results of a study suggest that vegetables and fruits rich in lycopene and other carotenoids may be protective against prostate cancer. To determine whether dietary intake of lycopene and other carotenoids has an etiological association with prostate cancer, a study was conducted of 130 prostate cancer patients. The prostate cancer risk declined with increasing consumption of lycopene, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin. Intake of tomatoes, pumpkin, spinach, watermelon and citrus fruits were also inversely associated with prostate cancer risk.

Watermelon - Immune System Booster

Watermelon is a rich source of citrulline, an amino acid that can be metabolized to arginine, an essential amino acid. A controlled human study investigated if watermelon juice consumption increases fasting concentrations of plasma arginine, ornithine, and citrulline in healthy adult humans. The results of the study demonstrated that plasma concentration of arginine could be increased through intake of citrulline from watermelon.
Arginine plays an important part in the healing of wounds and the removal of ammonia from the body. Excess ammonia in the blood can lead to fatigue, kidney and liver disease.
Arginine is the physiologic precursor in the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), which plays a pivotal role in many biological processes such as platelet aggregation and immune system modulation. A study involving 40 children demonstrated an increase in lymphocytes, which play an important role in the immune system after oral administration of arginine.

Health Benefits of Watermelon

Health Benefits of Watermelon

Because of its high level of beta-carotene, watermelon is a good source of vitamin A. In addition, watermelon is rich in vitamin C and lycopene. The vitamin C, vitamin A, and lycopene in watermelon act as powerful antioxidants that protect the body from the harmful effects of free radicals such as skin damage, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, certain types of cancer, and macular degeneration.
Watermelons are rich in B vitamins, specifically B1 and B6, both of which provide the body energy. Vitamin B1 also helps to keep the heart, brain, and nervous system running well, while vitamin B6 is an immune booster and has been shown to help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Watermelon is a good source of potassium and magnesium as well. Potassium works with sodium and chloride as an electrolyte in the body to balance water levels in the body and regulate blood pressure and heartbeat. Magnesium promotes heart health and is important for building strong bones and reduces the risk of developing osteoporosis

Green Tea and Weight Loss

If you drink green tea you can-

• Lower cholesterol 
• Increase Thermogenesis (the body's rate of burning calories)
• Enhance fat oxidation

Burns fat naturally
Green tea contains high concentrations of catechin polyphenols. These compounds work with other chemicals to intensify levels of fat oxidation and thermogenesis, where heat is created in the body by burning fuels such as fat. Drinking Japanese green tea regularly will increase your metabolism and help burn fat safely and naturally.

Health benefits of Guava Fruits

- Guavas are beneficial in regulating blood pressure. It is said that one guava contains almost a similar amount of potassium that's present in bananas. Potassium reverses the effects of sodium, thereby regulating the balance of blood pressure. Also, it reduces cholesterol levels in the blood by preventing it from thickening.

- Consumption of guavas helps slow down the absorption of sugar in the blood. It is rich in fibre and is helpful for diabetic individuals. Also, studies have shown that a diet that is high in fibre (5.4 gm per 100 gm of fruit) is linked to a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Individuals suffering from constipation problems, too, can benefit form the high fibre content.

- Did you know that guavas contain four times more Vitamin C than oranges? Vitamin C contains antioxidant properties that protect cells from the damage of free radicals and is useful in lowering the risk of cancer.

- Even though guavas don't contain iodine, they are still beneficial in promoting healthy thyroid function, because it contains copper, which aids the production and absorption of hormones.

- Guavas are a good source of manganese that acts as an enzyme activator utilising nutrients like thiamine, biotin and ascorbic acid.

- If you want to optimise your brian function, turn to this fruit. Guavas are rich in the B group of vitamins. Niacin, better known as Vitamin B3, promotes blood circulation, thereby stimulating brain function. Vitamin B6, that is pyridoxine, helps in brain and nerve function.

- Women with fertility problems can eat guavas as they contain a good amounts of folate, which contain fertility-promoting properties.

- Eye problems can be kept at bay as guavas contain an abundance of Vitamin A that helps in improving vision.

- Guava is good for the skin, too. Because of its Vitamin E content, astringent properties and antioxidants, the skin is nourished. Skin ailments like scurvy can be dealt with due to the high Vitamin C content in guavas.

- Pink guavas are said to contain twice the amount of lycopene present in tomatoes. Lycopene protects the skin from being damaged by UV rays and also works against prostate cancer.

- Even the leaves of guava have medicinal properties. The juice of the leaves is said to provide relief from cold and cough by reducing the formation of mucus, disinfecting the respiratory tract and preventing bacterial activity in the throat due to its astringent properties.