11 Amazing Benefits of Amla

Amla is rich in Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and many kinds of tannins which gives its bitter taste. The tannins and polyphenols found in this fruit are emlicanin, pedunculagin, emblicanin B, ellagitannins, kaempferol, gallic acid and ellagic acid and also flavonoids1. It is due to the presence of so many essential nutrients, amla has amazing benefits on the health.

In general, Amla fruit is extensively used for its antioxidant, digestive, nutritive properties and also for increasing the health of hair and skin. Here are the amazing health benefits of amla:

1. Digestive Health Benefits of Amla: As amla contains more edible fiber, it prevents constipation. It also reduces diarrhea. It acts as a good digestive agent by stimulating the production of digestive juices in different organs of digestive system. It is found to prevent colorectal cancer. Amla protects the digestive system from various disorders.
2. Diuretic Property of Amla and its Health Benefit: The toxins and unwanted substances are removed from body through urination. Amla, due to its diuretic property, increases the frequency of urination. As it contains water, more quantity of urine is also excreted. In the other way, it reduces the weight of the body by excreting fat through urine. It also helps in preventing urinary tract infection. So the health of excretory system is enhanced by amla.
3. Benefits of Amla as an Anti-aging Agent: People look aged when they get wrinkles on the body. These are reduced by using amla as it contains antioxidants like Vitamin C. The function of antioxidants is to clean up free radicals which are responsible for aging. It is also used as a face mask to reduce the wrinkles.
4. Liver Health Benefits of Amla: Researches support that amla in any form helps to maintain the health of liver by removing the toxic things from the body. The constituents of amla which have detoxifying property are corilagin, gallic acid, quercetin and ellagic acid.
5. Bone Health Benefits of Amla: In ayurveda, amla juice is diluted and given to the individuals to enhance calcium absorbtion. Calcium is a vital mineral found in bones, nails and teeth. Thus it helps to maintain the health of bones and teeth also.
6. Benefits of Amla for Immunity: From the records, it is observed that this fruit has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It is found to increase the disease fighting white blood cells and boost the immune system.
7. Amla Benefits for Heart Disease: Cardiovascular diseases mainly atherosclerosis occurs due to accumulation of cholesterol in the wall of arteries in the form of plaques which prevent easy flow of blood^2,3. Chromium, a mineral found in amla, is found to stop the accumulation of cholesterol. This reduces the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiac arrest. Iron found in amla helps in the formation of RBCs which enhances the oxygen carrying capacity in the blood.
8. Amazing Health Benefits of Amla for Eyes: Amla is rich in carotene and Vitamin A. These help in improving vision. Apart from this property, it also helps to lower the risk of night blindness, myopia, macular degeneration and cataract.
9. Benefits of Amla to Prevent Cancer: This fruit is a boon to women who are suffering from ovarian and cervical cancer because it is found to repress the tumors^4,5.
10. Benefits of Amla for Diabetes: Chromium found in amla is known to stimulate the secretion of insulin. Along with this, it decreases the blood glucose level and also reduces lipid level by bringing down the level of Low Density Lipoproteins in the body³.
11. Hair: Healthy lustrous hair attracts everyone and having this kind of hair is sometimes the main aim of many people. The color of the hair, pigmentation and growth is maintained by amla. Hence, this fruit is used as juice, hair oil or in the form of tonics. Amla helps to improve the quality of hair. It prevents hair loss and helps in preventing baldness6. As this fruit is rich in catorene, iron and antioxidants, it acts as a scavenger to free radicals and prevents follicle damage.

Amla is a rich source of vitamin A and vitamin C. Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and iron are the important minerals found in gooseberry. Folic acid is also found in this fruit. Around 40 calories of energy is available in 100 gm of amla. A single fruit contains water around 80%, carbohydrates, protein and edible fiber. Amla is believed to increase the longevity of life and is found to cure many diseases. This is one of the prominent ingredients in herbal medicines. It is eaten as such or even in the form of pickles by many people.

Following are the uses of amla:

• The bark of amla tree is used to give the bitter and astringent taste to some dishes.
• Fruit is consumed raw.
• It is made into pickles with salt and oil.
• Dal is prepared from this fruit.
• It is used in the preparation of shampoos and used to wash the hair.
• It is used to nourish hair when mixed with hair oil.
• Ink is prepared from this fruit.
• In dye industry, usage of amla facilitates to fix the dyes to the fabrics.
• Small pieces of amla treated and dried in sugar syrup are used as a good digester after having food.
• It can be dried with salt and consumed.

Amla is a sour fruit but rich in many nutrients. It is used to improve overall health of the body. In ayurveda, the fruit is used in different forms such as direct fruit, oil, spice, juice and dry powder. It is rich in many nutrients and has a number of properties to elevate the health condition. One can drink amla juice every day with a little quantity of water and mixing a spoon of honey with it to enhance most of its properties.

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