Gooseberries - health benefits and harms

Description of gooseberries

The common gooseberry or European gooseberry belongs to the gooseberry family, genus currant.

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The homeland of this plant is considered to be the area covering western Europe and northern Africa. Wild gooseberries are also common in Central Asian countries, Central and North America, and Transcaucasia.

In Rus' it has been cultivated since the 11th century, as chronicles report. The first European to describe the culture and its properties was the French scientist Jean Ruel (1536). Less than a hundred years later, in the 17th century, the “gooseberry” boom swept England. The wine made from the berry was to the taste of the country's ruler, Henry VIII, and breeders began developing new varieties. By the 19th century they numbered in the hundreds.

Today, one and a half thousand varieties and types of gooseberries are cultivated in the world.

When gooseberry bushes were struck by powdery mildew, pragmatic Americans bred a hybrid resistant to this scourge.

The places where gooseberries grow are all over the planet. In Russia, this shrub with many beneficial properties is called northern or “shaggy” grapes.

What does the plant look like?

Gooseberry in nature or garden is a lush perennial shrub that looks like this:

• height is slightly more than a meter;
• the bark is brownish-gray, studded with spines;
• young branches are covered with needle-like thorns;
• gooseberry leaf is dull, slightly pubescent, toothed, up to 65-70 mm long;
• flowers are pale red or greenish.

Gooseberries bloom in May and bear fruit in the second half of summer.

Gooseberry fruits are round or oval berries of green, red, yellow, white color, 13 - 40 mm in length, with a smooth or bristly surface. Veins and seeds are visible through the dense peel of ripe fruits. The taste is sweet and sour, invigorating.

The answer to the question is it a berry or a fruit is clear – a berry. Grows on a bush, filled with seeds.

Composition and calorie content of gooseberries

The fruits of different varieties of gooseberries differ in external color, shape, shell thickness and taste. Moreover, all fruits contain pectin, tannins, and vitamins.

Reference. In terms of vitamin C content, gooseberries are not inferior to citrus fruits and black currants, and they contain more iron than apples.

On average, 100 g of gooseberries contains:

• proteins – 0.7 g;
• fats – 0.2 g;
• carbohydrates – 9.1 g;
• dietary fiber – 3.4 g;
• water – 85 g.

Vitamins (per 100 g):

• vitamin PP – 0.2 mg;
• vitamin A – 35 mcg;
• vitamin B1 – 0.20 mg;
• vitamin C – 40 mg;
• vitamin E – 0.7 mg;
• beta-carotene – 0.25 mg.

Macroelements (per 100 g):

• phosphorus – 10 mg;
• chlorine – 1 mg;
• sulfur – 2 mg;
• calcium – 20 mg;
• magnesium – 10 mg
• sodium – 20 mg;
• potassium – 24 mg.

Microelements (per 100 g):

• iron – 0.9 mg;
• zinc – 0.07 mg;
• iodine – 1 mcg;
• copper – 125 mcg;
• manganese – 0.5 mg;
• chromium – 2 mcg;
• fluoride – 13 mcg;
• molybdenum – 14 mcg.

The calorie content of 100 g is about 45 kcal.

Medicinal properties of the berry

The medicinal properties of gooseberries have been studied by healers. It has been established that fruits and leaves are beneficial.

Berries are endowed with a wide range of beneficial properties:

• improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, accelerate metabolism;
• normalize blood pressure;
• almost instantly increase hemoglobin, eliminating anemia;
• useful as a laxative;
• heal skin, including psoriasis and eczema;
• inhibit oncology and aging of the body;
• “disperse” bile, improving liver function.

Emerald, sunny yellow or red fruits are pleasant and healthy to eat during the season. Green gooseberries improve immunity best.

Gooseberries are beneficial in the recovery process after serious illnesses and surgery.

The beneficial properties of the leaves are in demand for many health problems:

• destroy sclerotic plaques, improve blood circulation;
• activate metabolism;
• help crush and remove kidney stones;
• endowed with the useful property of stopping bleeding;
• promote weight loss by breaking down fatty tissue.

Consumption of decoction or tea from gooseberry leaves is beneficial for hormonal imbalances, tuberculosis, and depression.

The decoction has the beneficial property of disinfecting open wounds, destroying bacteria, and fighting inflammation.

How gooseberries are good for men

The male sex should pay close attention to it only in more mature years. In particular, because gooseberries have the most positive effect on the heart and blood vessels.

Reduces the threat of relevant diseases, improves blood circulation, thanks to regenerative processes in tissues. So its consumption for men will also not be superfluous in order to stay healthy and strong longer.

Chemical composition of gooseberries

The composition of gooseberries, rich in beneficial nutrients, has led to its use as a preventive and medicinal product:

• Vitamins are present in gooseberries in varying quantities. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C, 30 mg/100 g of berries), E (0.5) and B3 (0.3) dominate. Vitamins A, B (1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9), PP, H, K will also benefit.
• Among the macroelements, the leading ones are potassium (260 mg/100 g of pulp) and phosphorus (28). There is sodium, calcium, sulfur, magnesium, silicon (18-23).
• Microelements are 18 positions, of which copper (130 mcg/100 g of berries), aluminum (33.6), and rubidium (19) predominate.

Sucrose, fructose, anthocyanins, fiber, pectins, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6, also provide beneficial properties.

List of the best recipes using gooseberries

The best recipes using gooseberries are discussed in more detail below.

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Losing weight on gooseberries

A short gooseberry diet cleanses the body well and gets rid of extra pounds. An approximate menu for 2 days in the table below.

Gooseberry sauce for meat

Required ingredients:

• ripe gooseberries 250 grams;
• garlic 2 cloves;
• salt ¼ teaspoon;
• sugar 0.5 tsp.

Cooking diagram:

• the berries are thoroughly washed and peeled;
• prepared fruits are ground in a meat grinder;
• add squeezed garlic, salt and sugar.

Health benefits of gooseberries

Official and traditional medicine have established the benefits of gooseberries in general and the properties of its components. It is beneficial in solving specific problems of men, women, children, and people suffering from various diseases.

The properties of gooseberries are useful for excess obesity, metabolic disorders, as a laxative, urinary, and choleretic agent.

Benefits for women

This product is a proven ally of women in maintaining health, beauty, and solving purely women's problems.

General beneficial effects

Gooseberries benefit women of any age and condition:

• puts the nerves in order;
• restores the regularity of the menstrual cycle;
• treats pyelonephritis, cystitis, acting as a diuretic;
• removes extra pounds;
• clears the skin of rashes.

Its properties are useful for women during menopause: the body’s condition improves, hormonal levels are normalized, and the discomfort created by menopause is minimized.

Benefits for pregnant women and breastfeeding

Doctors advise pregnant women not to neglect gooseberries. It contains a bouquet of nutrients with beneficial properties:

• Without folic acid (B9), intrauterine development of the fetus is impossible.
• The benefits of B vitamins and ascorbic acid are in inhibiting the development of varicose veins, which pregnant women are susceptible to.
• Vitamins provide a shield against colds and infections, replacing pharmaceutical drugs.
• A complex of useful micro- and macroelements, creating a diuretic effect, protects kidney health.
• The main benefit of fiber is regulating metabolism. This property reduces the risk of constipation and excess weight gain.

It is better to eat gooseberries with the skin: beneficial substances involved in metabolism are concentrated here.

• A set of useful substances prevents the development of anemia and swelling.

Pregnant women can consume healthy berries from the first trimester.

However, their properties are dangerous if you are prone to diarrhea. There will be zero benefit when combining gooseberries with (fermented) dairy products and plums.

Benefits for men

The stronger sex has tested: the properties of gooseberries are beneficial in strengthening male strength:

• Regular consumption of berries, at least during the season, is useful for increasing the body's resistance to diseases and infections.
• The tone increases, and with it the percentage of muscle mass. Excess fat, bad cholesterol dissolves.
• It is a mild diuretic whose properties are useful for urogenital infections, especially urethritis.
• The nutrients contained in gooseberries are beneficial by regenerating cellular tissue.
• At the same time, they nourish the capillaries of blood vessels, including the genitourinary system. They have the ability to remove obstacles to blood flow through the vessels.

The main benefit of gooseberries is strengthening the heart muscle, preventing heart attacks and strokes. This is the scourge of men, especially in adulthood.

• Those who indulge in delicious berries sleep better and are in a better mood. They feel physically stronger and live longer. These properties are useful in modern life, especially for residents of megacities with their constant stress.

Benefits for men

Beneficial properties of gooseberries for men:

1. berries strengthen the immune system well (strength, vigor and longevity of the body);
2. the rich composition of berries has a positive effect on cellular structures in the male body;
3. improvement and stimulation of blood circulation;
4. providing a tonic effect, building muscle mass, eliminating extra pounds, lowering cholesterol;
5. the presence of antidepressant, anti-stress properties that have a calming effect on the nervous system;
6. minimal risk of heart attack and stroke.

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The use of berries in cosmetics

Cosmetologists have identified the beneficial properties of gooseberries for the skin. Manufacturers of medicinal cosmetics love it, but it can be used at home.

Fresh berries are crushed with a blender or by hand:

• The paste is applied to the face for 15-20 minutes. The result is that acne disappears, the skin is moisturized, toned, and oily skin becomes less greasy.
• Gooseberry mixture for thin, sensitive skin is diluted with honey or cottage cheese in half.
• To remove dark circles under the eyes, apply fresh berries cut in half on them.

Freckles and other skin pigmentation are removed with unripe berries; the properties of ripe specimens are suitable for nourishing masks.

Which berry to choose

Not many people know that the beneficial properties of gooseberries depend on what color the berries are purchased. For those who want to recover from inflammation and infections, you should buy red gooseberries.

Yellow gooseberries are useful for women to improve the functioning of the genitourinary system. Often, such berries are used in cosmetology for face and body care.

Green fruits are consumed during periods of colds: they improve the body’s defenses well and help to recover faster from illness.

Folk uses of gooseberries

The beneficial properties of berries and leaves are used in traditional medicine to eliminate simple problems:

• Arthritis, arthrosis. The tincture will bring benefits: 250 g of crushed berries are poured with 200 ml of vodka, infused in the dark for three days, filtered. A compress with tincture is placed on the sore joint overnight.
• Diarrhea, flatulence, bloating. Pour boiling water (250 ml) over a tablespoon of berries and cook for 10-12 minutes over low heat. This is the daily dose, which you need to drink in four doses. If you don’t have time to cook, a tablespoon of fresh berry juice (three times a day), washed down with water, will benefit.
• Upper respiratory tract cold. Berry juice is mixed with honey (2:1 by weight). Drink before meals.
• Leather. For rashes, inflammations, and dermatitis, it is useful to rub in a decoction of the berries.
• For inflammation of the genitourinary system, drinking juice will benefit.

How to eat gooseberries

Berries are consumed fresh, ground with sugar, processed, dry. Nutritionists advise eating them in the morning with cottage cheese. This product is good, it brings benefits in any form:

• compotes, fruit drinks, and jelly are made from it;
• add to baked goods, mousses, desserts;
• red fruits are the basis of tkemali sauce;
• For the winter, the berries can be frozen and dried: the beneficial properties will remain.

For gooseberries, the health benefits and harms also depend on the amount consumed at a time.

Doctors consider 100-300 g of fresh berries a healthy daily intake (depending on body weight). The maximum for diabetics is half a glass of this product.

If the peel is too thick, scald it with boiling water for a couple of seconds. It is better to choose ripe ones - their properties are more beneficial for humans. They contain twice as much vitamin C as unripe ones and are rich in serotonin. This happiness hormone also destroys tumors.

What are the benefits of gooseberries for the human body?

The medicinal properties of gooseberries have been well studied. Yellow or emerald berries quickly restore strength after overwork, stress, injuries and infectious diseases. They have an impressive list of healing properties:

• strengthen the immune system,
• activate metabolism,
• normalize digestion,
• protect against anemia,
• increase hemoglobin,
• remove excess cholesterol,
• relieve constipation,
• block the aging process,
• help the liver function,
• normalize blood pressure.

Fresh berries and decoctions from them have a mild diuretic and choleretic effect. Young leaves are no less valuable raw materials. They are added to tea or brewed separately. The infusion has healing powers:

• stabilizes hormonal levels,
• prevents the formation of kidney stones,
• breaks down fat cells
• promotes weight loss,
• improves blood circulation,
• inhibits the development of atherosclerosis.

An infusion of leaves is a proven remedy for skin problems. It destroys bacteria, relieves inflammation, and promotes rapid healing of wounds and abrasions.

Gooseberries: benefits and harms for women's health

From the table above you can see: berries contain an “off-scale” amount of biotin (B7). The compound plays a leading role in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.

Biotin is essential for beautiful hair, healthy skin and strong nails. It stimulates the functioning of the digestive organs and is beneficial for the nervous system. A person needs only 50 mcg per day of this substance. It is believed that it is produced by a healthy intestine. But how many of us are there people with completely healthy intestines?

The first signs of deficiency are peeling skin, dryness, redness. Vitamin B7 is a source of sulfur necessary for collagen synthesis. That is why biotin is called the “beauty vitamin” and is produced in the form of synthetic supplements.

Gooseberries also contain B5. It promotes rapid healing of wounds without scarring. The substance prevents the appearance of post-acne, improves skin condition, and activates immune defense.

The fruits are good for menstrual irregularities. They raise hemoglobin, relieve mood swings, and reduce irritability during menstrual periods.

Beneficial properties of gooseberry leaves

The leaves of the plant contain vitamins, tannins, flavonoids, and antioxidants. They are no less healthy than berries, although not as tasty.