Gooseberry is one of the edible berries known to people and one of the common fruits added to various meal recipes. Native to northwestern Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Europe, and some territories in North America, gooseberry is known with the scientific name Ribes grossularia. The following are the health benefits of gooseberry, along with a sample recipe.
Health Benefits
Vitamin C
One health benefit of gooseberry is vitamin C. The vitamin is well-known for its ability to raise the body’s defenses against infection and illness. Also, vitamin C promotes the function of collagen, a substance that acts as cement and connects loosely bound cells and tissues. These vitamin C properties make the vitamin popular in pharmacies and bought by people to prevent becoming sick and as a supplement to prevent aging. As per Nutrition and You, 100 grams of fresh berries provide 27.7 micrograms or 46 percent of the daily-recommended intake values of the vitamin.
Antioxidants
Another gooseberry health benefit includes the antioxidants it has. According to Mercola, the fruit is one of the four plant-based fruits that were evaluated for their summative phenolics and antioxidant power with respect to the feasible management of conditions like hypertension (increase in blood pressure) and hyperglycemia (increase in blood sugar). As per the publication, the quercetin derivatives and the chlorogenic acid are the major phenolic compounds in black currants and green gooseberries and red currants and red gooseberries, respectively.
Menstrual Cramps Management
Women also benefit from gooseberries as eating the fruit also helps in the management of menstrual cramps. According to Organic Facts, the minerals and vitamins in the fruit has properties that treat the cramps during the menstrual period. As per the publication, eating the fruit regularly is recommended to keep the nutrients within the body, thus, preventing the uncomfortable condition.
Fiber
Another health benefit of eating gooseberries include fiber that helps eliminate unwanted substances like toxins and free radicals; this property enables the fruit to help the body increase its defenses against conditions like cancer, diabetes mellitus, and heart diseases. Cardiovascular diseases like hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and stroke can also be prevented by reducing the blood cholesterol levels in the body. In addition, fiber promotes digestion and metabolism, so it prevents digestive problems like constipation, hemorrhoids, and diverticulitis. Hence, gooseberries help clean the body’s systems and allow their functionality for a long period of time.
Sample Recipe
One recipe that makes use of gooseberry is Gooseberry Pie. According to All Recipes UK, the ingredients include one and a half tablespoons of caster sugar, two tablespoons semi-skinned milk, 400 grams caster sugar, three tablespoons corn flour, half teaspoon salt, shop-bought short crust pastry to line and cover the pies, and 450 grams fresh gooseberries.
To prepare, as per the publication, the berries are stemmed and rinsed and one-fourth of them are crushed in the bottom of the saucepan. Next, sugar, salt, and corn flour are combined and the resulting mixture is mixed with the crushed gooseberries. The ingredients are cooked and stirred until the mixture boils. Then, they are cooked for two more minutes and removed from heat. After that, the remaining whole gooseberries are added. After that, the fruit filling is poured into the pastry case. The top pastry is adjusted, pinching the seams, and cutting the slits to let the steam escape. The pie is brushed with milk and sugar and is baked at 200 degrees Celsius for 35 minutes.
