Many people opt for junk food when they are looking for a midday or afternoon snack. Perhaps your pantry contains its fair share of potato chips and cookies, and you’ve been looking for some healthier options to satisfy your hunger. Goldenberries, also known as Incan Berries or Cape Gooseberries, are a healthy alternative and perfect addition to any raw foods diet.

Grown in the Andes for thousands of years, Goldenberries are native to Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile and Peru, but are easily found in the U.S. in the warm tropical reas of Hawaii and California, as well. Though native to South America, this fruit is grown all over – from East and South Africa, to India, Great Britain, Australia and beyond. The gooseberry grows well in warm climates. This bright yellow fruit looks like a small yellow seeded cherry and tastes very sweet when ripe, but also contains a bit of tart flavor. It is small in size – similar to a marble – and grows in a papery husk that looks very much like a Chinese lantern. Goldenberries may be eaten raw, but are typically dried like raisins and eaten as a snack or used as a topping for yogurt and salads. In some cultures they are also used to make jams and jellies. Though it is also called a Cape Gooseberry, goldenberries are not actually gooseberries. Botanically, they are related to the eggplant, potato and tomato.

This fruit has a wide array of health benefits, and as such has been categorized as a “superfood.” Gooseberries are high in protein, containing about 16 percent, which is especially high for a fruit. Protein is required for the rebuilding and repair of muscle tissues in the body, and this fruit is an excellent source of protein for those who don’t want to obtain it from meat or animal sources. Gooseberries are also high in phosphorous, which is vital, in addition to Calcium, for the healthy development and strengthening of teeth and bones.

This superfood is also a wonderful source of vitamin A and vitamin c, and contains a variety of complex B vitamins. It may even be more beneficial than a daily multivitamin supplement, if eaten consistently. Vitamin A helps to lubricate the eyes, skin and mucous membranes, and is also an antioxidant that neutralizes the presence of free radicals in the body. Free radicals can cause tissue damage, so, like protein, this vitamin is essential to the repair and maintenance of the body’s tissues. vitamin c is an antioxidant as well, and is required by the body for many different functions, including metabolism, tissue growth, healthy gums, and of course, immunity. Complex B vitamins help to reduce stress and fatigue, improve one’s memory, energy and metabolism and reduce the risk of heart disease.

In addition to being a great source of vitamins, gooseberries contain bioflavonoids, which have excellent antioxidant properties, as well. They contain antihistamine, which helps reduce allergies. Bioflavonoids have also been shown to be antiviral and anti-inflammatory, and may help reduce the risk of cancer.

Gooseberries are, indeed, one of nature’s best superfoods. People who are looking to treat ailments such as asthma, edema, skin conditions, throat conditions, optic nerve disorders and gastro-intestinal problems may benefit highly from the daily inclusion of gooseberries in their diets. Combined with a diet rich in other raw, organic foods, gooseberries can help you maintain a healthier lifestyle by keeping you away from the potato chips and cookies that you might crave.

Sources:

http://rawnaturalpath.ca/index.php?
option=com_content&view=article&id=136&Itemid=71
http://www.navitasnaturals.com/products/golden.html
http://www.nutriforce.com/blog/the-benefits-of-superfoods-the-goldenberry

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