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Gooseberries
Gooseberries cleanse the digestive system but the green ones can cause a stomach ache when eaten in great volume. My brother found this out when we were children finishing up in hospital overnight. I didn't like the green ones much but when they turned red they were very tasty. We used to hunt out the big plump red ones. Our mum was very adept at making jams and other treats with both the prolific berries and the black and red currants we had growing in the back yard. One bush might yield between eight to ten pounds of fruit. The peel is the tart portion of the berry with its pulp being sweeter. It is picked under-ripe and used for tarts or picked ripe for a variety of sweet desserts. A famous recipe is the “fool” which is cream folded into the stewed berries. Other popular forms of consumption include jams, jellies, juices, and liquors. Vitamins, Minerals, and Phytochemical Components These nutritious berries are rich in vitamin C, and also contain vitamins A and D. They are an excellent source of calcium, potassium, phosphorus, niacin, iron, and dietary fiber. Most importantly they contain ellagic acid, a component that does not break down during cooking and is a natural cancer-fighting agent (2). Scientists measure amounts of major anthocyanins (chemical that affects a berries color) and pigment content in order to recommend the best cultivars for harvesting and consumption. It is found that the darker the berry the healthier its benefits (1). Medicinal Uses Based on Scientific Studies In the middle ages the gooseberry was thought to have cooling properties to treat fever. North American Indians not only used berries to make a tea to treat colds, but also utilized the leaves, branches, and inner bark to treat colds and diarrhea. Today this berry shares rank with red wine and many other fruits and berries for their anthocyanin and phytochemical content. Everyday new anthocyanins are discovered. As other berries in this category; they have been noted for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity (3). A berry that cleanses the digestive system or causes a stomach ache when eaten in great volume such as the gooseberry, is often used during fasting to expel toxins. Studies in Russia show that the unripe berry prevents body cells from degenerating, slows aging, and guards against illness. References 1. Jordheim, M., Mage, F., Andersen, OM. (2007). Anthocyanins in berries of ribes including Gooseberry cultivars with a high content of acylated pigments. J. Agric Food Chem. 55(14):5529-35. 2. Stelljes, Kathryn Barry. (1998). A Current Treat for All Seasons; Agricultural Research, a USDA magazine. 3. Wu, X., Gu, L., Prior, R.L., McKay, S. (2004). Characterization of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins in some cultivars of Ribes, Aronia, and Sambucus and their antioxidant capacity. J. Agric Food Chem. 52(26):7846-56.
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