Health Benefits of Amla

Amla or Indian gooseberry is the small packet that good things come in. It may taste bitter and sour in the beginning but the taste it leaves in your mouth towards the end is that of sweetness and so is the benefit it has on your health. Amla is rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants. It also contains other vitamins and minerals like iron, calcium, carotene and vitamin B complex and phosphorous. All of these make amla a superfood. In Sanskrit amla is known as Amlaki which translates into "nectar of life". And this name perfectly suits Amla. You can learn more about the health benefits of amla from the rest of the article.

1. Cures cold and sore throat:
   Since amla is rich in vitamin C, Amla is an excellent cure for colds, sore throats, and cough. You can either mix Amla juice with ginger and honey and have this mixture three to four times in a day. Another alternative is to have a mixture of Amla powder with honey three or four times a day. The vitamin C present in Amla is absorbed faster by the body, thus making it the ideal cure for colds, cough and sore throat.

2. Boosts Immunity:
   When the cells in our body use oxygen, they leave free radicals behind. These free radicals can cause damage to the body and are the lead cause of most of the ailments. As Amla is rich in anti-oxidants, it fights these free radicals and hence boosts the body's immunity.

3. Slows down aging:
   The free radicals are also the reason that our body ages. Since the antioxidants resent in Amla fight the free radicals, introducing Amla into your daily diet slows down the aging process, keeps you young and can save you the expenditure on botox treatments.
   

4. Improves the health of your heart:
   Amla has the ability to strengthen the heart muscles. This leads to better blood circulation throughout the body. Amla also boosts the HDL or good cholesterol in the body, thus improving the health of your heart. It also contains chromium which prevents the build-up of bad cholesterol in the body. This, in turn, reduces the build-up of plaque in the arteries. Since the building up of plaque is the main cause of heart attack or stroke, Amla reduces the chances of these illnesses. Amla also contains iron that helps the body create new red blood cells. This leads to increased circulation, cell regeneration and better oxygenation of organs.

5. Helps in Digestion:
   Amla also has a high fiber content, high water content and it is anti-inflammatory. The high-fiber content ensures a healthy bowel movement and improves your digestion. High-fiber reduces the chances of constipation and diarrhea. It also helps in the secretion of digestive juices in the stomach, thus improving your digestion.

6. Increases your metabolism:
   Proteins aid in the development of muscles and regeneration of the cells in your body. It also keeps you full for a longer period of time. Muscles burn more calories and this leads to an increase in your metabolic rate. The enzymes present in Amla help the body break down the protein in other foods and convert it into a form of protein that is easily usable by our body.

7. Increases diuretic activity:
   Urination is the body's way to eliminate unwanted toxins, salt, water and uric acid. Regular urination is the key to good health. Amla is a diuretic and this implies that consumption of amla leads to an increase in the volume and frequency of urination. This also improves the health of your kidneys.

8. Relieves menstrual cramps:
   Every woman has faced menstrual cramps and wants a cure for it. Menstrual cramps can be really painful. The vitamins and minerals present in Amla reduces menstrual cramps, makes them less painful and can even alleviate them completely.

9. Improves eyesight:
   Amla contains carotene which is good for your eyes. Carotene can help improve your eyesight and reduce cataracts, night blindness and also reduces the damaging effects of free radicals on your eyesight.

10. Gives you healthy hair:
    Amla is excellent for improving hair health whether you consume if raw or apply Amla oil or hair masks with Amla. As mentioned before, Amla counters the damaging effect of free radicals. Free radicals can damage the hair follicles and this can lead to hair loss. Consuming amla on a regular basis can greatly improve the health of your scalp and hair. Applying Amla can promote hair growth, reduce hair loss, improve the health of your scalp, reduce dandruff and stop premature greying of hair. You can also apply a paste of amla on your hair to eliminate lice. You can also make a mixture of Amla powder with yogurt and use this as a hair mask to strengthen your hair.

11. Improve your skin:
    Since Amla is rich in vitamin C, it can brighten your complexion, reduce pigmentation, remove dead skin cells, reduce wrinkles and make your skin soft and smooth. You can apply the juice of Amla as a face mask and you will get the same benefits.

12. Controls Diabetes:
    Amla stimulates the secretion of insulin, thereby controlling the blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. Amla also helps the body stabilize the blood sugar level and prevents the dips and spikes in blood sugar. For diabetic patients, maintaining a stable blood sugar level is important. Amla also contains chromium which is very beneficial for diabetics.

13. Treats infections:
    Amla boosts the body's immunity and therefore protects the body from infections. The vitamin C content present in Amla helps increase the white blood cells in the body. The white blood cells not only improve immunity, they also help in eliminating toxins.

14. Prevents ulcers:
    Ulcers are caused by increased acidity in the body. Amla reduces the acidity and therefore prevents the formation of ulcers. One of the causes of ulcers in the mouth is the deficiency of vitamin C. Amla supplies the body with the vitamin C it requires and this helps prevent mouth ulcers.

15. Strengthens Bones:
    Amla is also high in calcium, which is necessary for good bone health. Amla also lowers osteoclasts which are cells that lead to breaks in bones. Hence, consuming Amla regularly strengthens your bones.

It can be clearly seen that amla truly is a superfood and the "nectar of life". Amla has a range of benefits for the whole body. If you cannot find fresh amla all around the year, you can buy it in bulk when it is available and make Amla powder that can be stored for longer periods of time. You can also buy amla powder or amla juice. To enjoy good health, incorporate Amla into your daily diet.