There is a disproportionate amount of berries that have turned out to have some amazing super organic food properties, and one of the most recent hot super-berries is the Cape Gooseberry, better known simply as the Golden Berry.
The health benefits of goldenberries are an absolute treasure and are based around the nutritious nature of the fruit.
Goldenberries, or Physalis peruviana, have their origins in Peru, and are, true to their name, bright orange fruit with a taste similar to that of the mango or pineapple. It has become popular as a rather tropical tasting superfruit which blends well into smoothies or just eaten when fully ripe or dried as a nutritious snack.
There are a number of health benefits that make golden berries an absolute must as part of a healthy diet. In studies, golden berries have at least 34 unique compounds that contain health benefits.
Contains Immune-System Boosting Vitamins
Goldenberries are naturally rich in a number of vitamins and minerals that naturally work to boost the body’s immune system. A 100g serving of golden berries provides over 20 milligrams of vitamin C, which is vital to helping the immune system.
As well as this, human cell tests have shown that golden berries contain a number of polyphenols which may help to regulate the immune system.
Golden Berries are vitamin-rich in general, being a good source of vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B6 and B12, as well as being a good source of fibre, phosphorous and vitamin K.
Contains Bone Health Stimulating Vitamin K
Vitamin K is a vitamin that is soluble in fat and is involved in the development of healthy bone and cartilage cells. Along with vitamin D, it is an exceptionally important part of the bone development cycle, and golden berries contain a significant amount of it.
If added to a diet containing vitamin D rich foods such as maitake and shiitake mushrooms, it creates a powerful cocktail for ensuring healthy bone growth.
Helps With Vision Health
Golden Berries are rich in a number of carotenoids, including beta-carotene and lutein, which are linked to a reduced risk of age-related eye conditions such as macular degeneration, which remains the leading cause of blindness.
Lutein on its own is also connecting to positive eye health and reduces the effect of a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes.
Rich in Antioxidants
Antioxidants are a well known and incredibly important compound that repair damage and protect against future damage from free-radical molecules connected to ageing and age-related diseases such as certain forms of cancer.
Specifically, there are test-tube studies that have shown that phenolic compounds that are found in substantial amounts in golden berries are connected to the blocking of colon and breast cancer cell growth.
A further lab study showed that a possible reason for this is that golden berries help to preserve cell life, in large part by preventing compounds that cause oxidative damage to cells from being formed to begin with.