Let food be your medicine AMLA (Indian Gooseberry)

“Load yourself with Vitamin C and not Stress”

Micronutrient deficiencies affect more than two billion people of all ages in both developing and industrialized countries. Indian Gooseberry/Aonla/Amla scientifically named as Emblica Officinalis, is the richest source Vitamin C/ Ascorbic acid (an essential water-soluble micronutrient) among a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. They work together with enzymes and other substances for sustaining a healthy life. The harvesting period of amla is November to December, however, fruits may remain on the tree until February until fruit drop. Amla is native to India and is also grown in tropical and subtropical regions of Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, South East Asia, China and Malaysia. In India, as per National Horticultural Board Data (2017), Uttar Pradesh is the largest producer of Amla followed by Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

The fresh fruits are generally not consumed due to their high astringency but it has got great potential in processed forms. Recommended Daily Allowance of 40 mg is met by consuming an average-sized amla. Even after prolonged heating or drying conditions, amla is highly stable. It contains a high percentage of polyphenols that prevents the oxidation of ascorbic acid. It has a special mention in Ayurvedic and Unani system of Indian medicines. Various kinds of phenols like gallic acid, ellagic acid, flavonoids like quercetin, kaemferol and hydrolysable tannins Emblicanin A and B are largely present in amla. Total tannin distribution of fruits accounts for 28% of the entire plant. Amla is an exception among fruits, not only because of its high initial ascorbic acid content but also it contains polyphenols, leucoanthocyanins, tannins and antioxidants which protect the ascorbic acid destruction.