You may have seen gooseberries, locally called entuntunu, on sale on the streets or in supermarkets. Gooseberries, scientifically called ribesuvacrispa, are green, yellow, white or red.
According to experts, these fruits are loaded with nutrients, which include;
Potassium
It aids the functioning of the nerve cells, muscles and heart.
Gooseberries are rich in fibre. Audrey H. Ensminger, in her book, Foods and Nutrition Encyclopedia, says one of the most notable benefits of gooseberries is their impressive fibre content.
According to the Harvard School of Public Health, an average adult requires at least 20g of fibre every day.
Fibre prevents constipation.
It is also a preventive measure against more serious conditions like colon cancer and heart disease.
According to Christine Karungi, a nutritionist at the Joint Clinical Research Centre:
“Most of the food we are eating today is high in cholesterol.
Gooseberries, which are rich in fibre, help lower cholesterol levels.”
Vitamin C
Gooseberies are a good source of Vitamin C, a nutrient that the body needs to absorb iron and aid the formation of collagen (a protein that makes up nearly 30% of the protein content in the human body).
Vitamin C helps maintain strong bones, muscles, cartilage and blood vessels. A diet that includes adequate amounts of Vitamin C may also prevent infection and inhibit illnesses such as a cold.
Gooseberries provide sufficient amounts of Vitamin A, which is vital for eye health.
Vitamins and minerals in smaller doses include Vitamin E, iron and magnesium.
Make the most of gooseberries
Eat them fresh
Use them to marinate fish, poultry meat and pork chops
Make jam, jelly, juice and sauce from gooseberries