Gooseberries for Health: Learn How Gooseberries Improve Your Health

Gooseberries for Health:  Learn How Gooseberries Improve Your Health
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Gooseberries are large bulbous looking berries that stem from two different European Gooseberry plants. In America they grow best in the Northern California area, closest to San Fransisco and are a bit smaller than the regular European cultivated Gooseberry.Gooseberries can grow in a color range from bright green through to a deep purple shade with a slightly translucent appearance to the outer skin.

Gooseberry Health Benefits

A single Gooseberry has a higher concentration of Vitamin C, about 600 mg than that of an Orange or Guava fruit. Also, high in potassium, magnesium, Vitamin A and calcium and the fruit has been used to control scurvy, dysentery and diarrhea. The Gooseberry has been used for centuries to help with liver disorders, anemia, urinary problems, respiratory problems and cardiovascular problems.

More health benefits of the Gooseberry are said to be the following:

  • Helps to improve eyesight
  • Reduces blood sugar and stimulates the production of insulin
  • Strengths heart muscles
  • Improves the body’s immune system
  • Promotes hair growth and stimulates the scalp
  • Fever reducer

Currently, there are no straight American Gooseberry supplements on the market so to add this fruit to your diet you’ll have to get them either from your local produce department or supplier. One of the most popular growers and suppliers of American Gooseberries is the Oregon Fruit Products Company. They offer canned Gooseberries in a light syrup that can be added to all manner of home baked goods. Here is the most common recipe for Gooseberry Pie from the Oregon Fruit Co.:

Gooseberry Pie

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cans Oregon Gooseberries
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • Pastry for a 9-inch double crust

In a saucepan, mix sugar, cornstarch and salt. Add the syrup from the gooseberries and cook over medium heat until thickened. Remove from heat and add the butter and the gooseberries. Pour into pastry lined pie plate.

Add top crust or lattice top, and then seal edges securely.

Bake 15 minutes at 425 degrees; finish baking at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.

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