Golden Berry

(Incan Berry - Cape Gooseberry)

Physalis Peruviana

Golden Berry

Golden Berry, (Physalis peruviana) has been cultivated in South America for centuries and revered for its health benefits and mouth-puckering sweet and sour flavor. Golden Berry is native to Brazil and has many different names throughout the regions of the world, such as, "Incan Berry", "Cape Gooseberry", "Ground Cherry" ... and "Uchuva" in Colombia. Golden Berry is a botanical relative to the potato and tomato that’s been growing in the mineral rich soils of the Peruvian Andes for thousands of years. 

Golden Berry has made its rounds throughout the worlds over hundreds of years as an exotic fruit. It was one of the few non-native fresh fruits available to the early western settlers of Australia and cultivated by settlers at the Cape of Good Hope before 1807.

Golden Berry fruits are succulent golden spheres the size of marbles with a pleasing taste. These berries are little golden nuggets, yellowish orange in color, with similar flavor of a candied lemon having sweet and tart taste. These 1 inch yellow fruits are just the right mixture of sweet and tart ... and they grow fairly carefree. Golden Berries are found to have high nutritional value. These berries, which are bigger than raisins, have many seeds with a grainy texture and are frequently eaten dry.

The fruit, which is bright yellow and extremely sweet when ripe, can be found in the U.S. and grows within a protective paper-like husk that looks strikingly similar to a Chinese lantern. The attractive and symmetrical husk with its edible yellow fruit inside gives it an eye-catching appearance and potential market appeal.

Many cultures believe that in order to harvest the fruit at its best you must wait until the husk has completely dried.  Those cultures would often hold off their own from picking the fruit until this point.  Once the husk was dry, the Goldenberry would be at the peak of being ripe which would create a very rich, sweet and juicy berry.

The growing and ripening process is one that takes a relatively long time, between 70 to 80 days, but is well worth the great health benefits that these berries provide. The technique of dehydration is a very ancient method of food preservation. The advantage is that dehydration can preserve fruits and most of its nutritional properties, at present, this technique of dehydration plays a key role in the Andean region as an excellent alternative for poor farmers, since the product storage is less complicated and the amount of leakage is much lower. Dried fruits are a true energy source, natural fructose and a delicious and intense flavor.


Source: http://rareseeds.com/giant-cape-gooseberry.html

Source: http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=1398&page=241

Source: http://www.rawguru.com/can-golden-berries-help-you-burn-fat.html

Source: http://www.inkanatural.com/en/arti.asp?ref=goldenberry-vitamine-a

Source: http://www.nutriforce.com/blog/the-benefits-of-superfoods-the-goldenberry

Health Benefits - Golden Berry

Golden Berry is another nutritious fruit, very rich in anti-inflammatory bioflavonoids, high in tannins and pectin. A handful of golden berries provides a hefty dosage of antioxidants, and for a fruit, it has a surprisingly high protein count. Unlike more common dried fruits, packaged versions of this trending superfood often contain no added sugars or preservatives, which means, you aren't loading up on unnecessary calories and chemicals. Golden berries provide a wide range of vitamins and minerals that help the body work more efficiently:

Goldenberries are high in Phosphorous – Aside from calcium, phosphorous is one of the most vital minerals in the body and necessary for the growth and strengthening of bones and teeth.  Calcium alone isn’t capable of building strong bones and tissue, as research has shown that phosphorous is needed to maximize bone-strengthening benefits.

Goldenberries are an Excellent Source of Vitamin A – Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that not only aids in keeping eyes, skin and mucous membranes moist but it’s also a potent antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body.  These free radicals are capable of causing severe tissue damage.  It exists as beta-carotene in many plants which the body converts in vitamin A.

Goldenberries are an Excellent Source of Vitamin C – A water-soluble vitamin also known as ascorbic acid that is a potent antioxidant, required by more than 300 metabolic functions in the body including tissue growth, adrenal gland function, healthy gums, metabolism, etc.  One of the major benefits is that it can bind with toxic substances and certain heavy metals to render them harmless while setting them up for easy excretion.

Goldenberries are rich in Complex B Vitamins – There are numerous B vitamins that exist in the Goldenberry fruit (B1, B2, B6 and B12).  These complex B vitamins do a great deal to reduce stress, improve memory, improve energy and reduce fatigue, spur metabolism, relieve PMS and reduce the risk of heart disease.  They’ve even been shown to help the body burn fat and glucose off for energy.

A Delicious source of Bioflavonoids – Studies have proven that bioflavonoids possess antiviral, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine and anti-oxidant properties.  Essential, the Goldenberry can potentially help you correct a number of ailments if it becomes part of a regular diet ... golden berries are a wonderful addition to a balanced nutrition plan. 

Source: http://www.nutriforce.com/blog/the-benefits-of-superfoods-the-goldenberry

Medicinal Properties - Golden Berry

In traditional folk medicine practices, goldenberries are believed to help maintain a healthy weight, ward off disease, and improve organ function. The Goldenberry has been used to help a variety of ailments including:

• Asthma
• Edema
• Optic Nerve Disorders
• Throat Afflictions
• Gastro-Intestinal Upset
• Intestinal Parasites
• Skin Conditions of varying sorts

The plants of Physalis minima Linn. are reported to in Ayurveda to be bitter, appetizing, tonic, diuretic, laxative, useful in inflammations, enlargement of the spleen and abdominal troubles. The fruit is considered to be a tonic, diuretic and purgative in the Punjab. The mundas (a tribe) of Chhota Nagpur mix the juice of the leaves with water and mustard oil and use it as a remedy against earache.

Essential Aminos: Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Valine.

Non-Essential Aminos: Arginine (L-Arginine), Alanine, Aspartate, Cystine, Glutamate, Glycine, Hydroxyproline, Proline, Serine, Tyrosine, Methionine + Cystine, Phenylalanine + Tyrosine.

Source: http://skipthepie.org/fruits-and-fruit-juices/groundcherries-cape-gooseberries-or-poha-raw/

Dr Oz: Weight Loss - Belly Blaster - Golden Berry

As recommended by Dr. Oz, golden berries are a great organic food that can help individuals lose weight in a way that promotes health. In addition to providing weight loss properties that will boost metabolism, increase energy and help shed inches. The golden berry provides other healthy vitamins and minerals that can protect the body through antioxidant and other naturally healthy properties. 

First and foremost, golden berries are wonderful fat burners. When incorporated into a well-balanced diet, these berries can help people lose weight in a way that is both natural and healthy. Dieting trends can be dangerous, resulting in people becoming malnourished and losing valuable muscle mass, but Dr. Oz has recommended golden berries as a diet aid and healthy component of a well-rounded nutrition plan because of their natural properties. As with all other superfoods, golden berries are able to provide their results organically, without the interference of chemicals or other processing that can deplete or alter their natural vitamins.

Doctor Oz said that Golden Berries are a vegetable that come from Brazil, but they are becoming more and more popular in America.  You can find either Dried Goldenberries or the whole form (if your supermarket carries hem fresh).  In addition to having a unique taste, Golden Berries are packed with B-Complex Vitamins that are essential for your metabolism.  Try eating 1/4 cup of Golden Berries every day.

Source: http://www.drozfans.com/dr-ozs-advice/dr-oz-golden-berries-miso-sauerkraut-fat-belly-blaster-foods/

Anti-Oxidants - Vitamin P - Rutin - Golden Berry

Golden Berry is known also as a very good source of Vitamin P – rutin. Rutin has a very good effect on the strength of blood capilars and is important element in the Vitamin C absorption. Physalis is also great source of plant protein, phosphorus and iron. It has a diuretic effect similar to cranberries, so it helps to clean the kidneys. It has also antiparasite effects. For all it health benefits it considered to be one of the “superfoods”.

Source: http://www.lifefood.eu/en/strava/incan-goldenberries.html

Anti-Oxidants - Anti-Inflam. - Flavanoids - Phenols - Golden Berry

The total flavonoid and phenol concentrations, as well as anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of these extracts were analyzed and compared with aqueous and ethanolic physalis peruviana extracts. Among all the extracts tested, SCEPP-5 demonstrated the highest total flavonoid (234.63+/-9.61 mg/g) and phenol (90.80+/-2.21 mg/g) contents.

- At concentrations 0.1-30 microg/ml, SCEPP-5 also demonstrated the strongest superoxide anion scavenging activity and xanthine oxidase inhibitory effect.

- At 30 microg/ml, SCEPP-5 significantly prevented lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1 microg/ml)-induced cell cytotoxicity in murine macrophage (Raw 264.7) cells.

- At 10-50 microg/ml, it also significantly inhibited LPS-induced NO release and PGE2 formation in a dose-dependent pattern.

- SCEPP-5 at 30 microg/ml remarkably blocked the LPS induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression.

Taken together, these results suggest that SCEPP-5, an extract of SFE-CO2, displayed the strongest antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities as compared to other extracts. Its protection against LPS-induced inflammation could be through the inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expression.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16820275

Anti-Parisitic - Anti-Oxidant - Rutin - Vitamin P - Golden Berry

Golden berry is known as a very good source of Vitamin P - rutin. Rutin has anti-parasite effects.

Source: http://www.lifefood.eu/en/strava/incan-goldenberries.html

Cancer - Colorectal - Leukemia - Prostate - Golden Berry

Golden berry (physalis peruviana) plants have been used as drugs for centuries. However, limited research has been done on its great potential as sources of new therapeutic agents. The purpose of this study was to evaluate Physalis peruviana cytotoxic activity on cell lines HT-29, PC-3, K-562 and VERO.

The P. peruviana ethanolic leave and stem extracts showed cytotoxic activity. The leaves and stems extracts selectivity index were between 5.6 and 245 for tumor cell lines evaluated, by contrast, cisplatin and 5-FU, only showed values between 0.11 and 7.3.

The P. peruviana leaves and steams ethanolic extracts were more cytotoxic than cisplatin and 5 FU, on the lines HT-29, PC-3 and K562. Furthermore the P. peruviana cytotoxic effects were less than cisplatin and 5-FU for VERO control cells lines.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19898596

Cancer - Lung - Flavanoids - Phenols - Golden Berry

Supercritical carbon dioxide extract of Physalis peruviana induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human lung cancer H661 cells:

Physalis peruviana L. is a popular folk medicine used for treating cancer, leukemia, hepatitis, rheumatism and other diseases. In this study, our objectives were to examine the total flavonoid and phenol content of different Physalis peruviana extracts and their anti-proliferative effects in human lung cancer H661 cells.

These results conclude that SCEPP-5 induced cell cycle arrest, and its apoptotic induction could be mediated through the p53-dependent pathway and modification of Bax and XIAP proteins expression. The results have also provided important pharmacological backgrounds for the potential use of Physalis peruviana supercritical fluid extract as products for cancer prevention.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19425186

Cancer - Lung - Anti-Hepatoma - Anti-Inflam. - Golden Berry

The crude extract of the fruit bearing plant, Physalis peruviana (golden berry), demonstrated anti-hepatoma and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the cellular mechanism involved in this process is still unknown.

It was shown that DNA damage was significantly induced. A trypan blue exclusion assay showed that the proliferation of cancer cells was inhibited. The half maximal inhibitory concentrations suggesting Physalis peruviana could be a potential therapeutic agent against lung cancer ... these phenomena were proven to be apoptosis and complete arrest for H1299 cells treated with 5 microg/mL for 24 h.

In this study, we demonstrated that golden berry-derived 4betaHWE is a potential DNA-damaging and chemotherapeutic agent against lung cancer.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20167063

Diabetes Health - Hypertension - Anti-Oxidants - Golden Berry

Local food diversity and traditional crops are essential for cost-effective management of the global epidemic of type 2 diabetes and associated complications of hypertension.  A significant positive correlation was found between total phenolic content and anti-oxidant activity for the ethanolic extracts. These in vitro results point to the excellent potential of Peruvian fruits for food-based strategies for complementing effective anti-diabetes and anti-hypertension solutions based on further animal and clinical studies.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Physalis+peruviana+diabetes

Digestive Health - Regulator - Pectin - Golden Berry

Packed with vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, niacin and phosphorous, Incan Golden Berries also contain pectin, which helps to regulate the flow of food through the digestive tract as well a lower cholesterol levels and regulate blood sugar levels. Golden berries have laxative qualities ensuring the healthy condition of the intestines.

Source: http://www.lifefood.eu/en/strava/incan-goldenberries.html

Heart Health - Cholesterol - Pectin - Rutin - Vitamin P - Golden Berry

Golden berry is known also as a very good source of Vitamin P – rutin. Rutin has a very good effect on the strength of blood capilars and is important element in the Vitamin C absorption. These berries may help in maintaining the normal cholesterol level, drawing away the possibility of any heart-related ailments.

Golden Berries help to strengthen your body in times of stress and improve circulation. Packed with vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, niacin and phosphorous, Incan Golden Berries also contain pectin, which helps to regulate the flow of food through the digestive tract as well a lower cholesterol levels and regulate blood sugar levels.

Source: http://www.lifefood.eu/en/strava/incan-goldenberries.html

Kidney Health - Rutin - Vitamin P - Golden Berry

Golden Berry is known also as a very good source of Vitamin P – rutin. Rutin has a diuretic effect similar to cranberries, so it helps to clean the kidneys.

Source: http://www.lifefood.eu/en/strava/incan-goldenberries.html

Liver Health - Kidney Health -Anolides -Flavanoids - Golden Berry

This study was designed to investigate the potential of Physalis peruviana root as a functional food with hepato-renal protective effects against fibrosis. The chemical composition of the plant root suggested the presence of alkaloids, with anolides and flavonoids. Five compounds were isolated and their structures elucidated by different spectral analysis techniques. 

The results suggested safe administration, and improvement of all the investigated parameters. The liver and kidney histopathological analysis confirmed the results. In conclusion, Physalis peruviana succeeded in protecting the liver and kidney against fibrosis.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23419022

Liver Health - Jaundice - Ethanol - Haxane Extracts - Golden Berry

Physalis peruviana is a medicinal herb used by Muthuvan tribes and Tamilian native who reside in the shola forest regions of Kerala, India against jaundice. Water, ethanol and hexane extracts of Physalis peruviana (500mg/kg body weight) showed anti-hepatotoxic activities against CCl(4) induced hepatotoxicity. 

Histopathological changes induced were significantly reduced by the extract. Further, the extract administration to rats resulted in an increase in hepatic GSH and decrease in MDA. Preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of various components in the crude aqueous extract. The extract was found to be devoid of any conspicuous acute toxicity in rats

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17161567


Learn more: http://nutrionomics.com/

"The Bait and Switch" ... How Big Pharma Repackages Vitamins as Expensive Drugs !!!

The latest prescription medicine called Niaspan, which targeted to men and women with coronary artery disease and high cholesterol:

“...works to raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels in people with abnormal cholesterol levels ... also works to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides.”
Plus, Niaspan can "reduce the risk of another heart attack in people who have high cholesterol and a history of heart attacks."

Now, here's the thing about Niaspan... it isn't really a drug! ... it's nothing more than time-released niacin (vitamin B3)!

You can get a month's supply (without a doctor's order) from most vitamin shops for under $7. Without a doubt, you're much better off going that route... because Abbott Labs will charge you a heck of a lot more ... this profitable hoax, earning hundreds of millions of dollars for the drug giant Abbott Labs!

Source: Dr. Allan Spreen - Nationally acclaimed as America’s “Nutrition Physician” - www.healthiertalk.com

"The Bait and Switch" ... How Big Pharma Repackages Fish Oil as Expensive Drugs !!!

You've probably heard of a prescription drug called Lovaza, right? I chuckled when I first heard about it, because it's nothing more than refined fish oil.
But it sounds snazzy and you need a doctor's prescription for it ... so it must work better than regular fish oil, right?

Wrong. It doesn't. It contains the same active ingredients you find in fish oil: EPA and DHA.
But Big Pharma managed to fool many, many Americans with this hoax.

In fact, this kind of con is hugely profitable for Big Pharma ... earning billions of dollars for the drug giant Abbott Labs.
For this reason alone, we will see more and more vitamins magically "repackaged" and sold as drugs.

Source: Dr. Allan Spreen - Nationally acclaimed as America’s “Nutrition Physician” - www.healthiertalk.com

Taste


Golden Berries are little golden nuggets, yellowish orange in color, with similar flavor of a candied lemon having sweet and tart taste. 

The wrinkly, thick-skinned exterior of dried golden berries contains a seedy, chewy interior that bursts with tart, citrusy flavor, similar to a kumquat. It's got an exquisite, exotic flavor to it, and it starts off tasting like a raisin and then the seeds that are contained in the berries start to explode when you're crunching on it. It gives you this very tangy, sweet-and-sour kind of flavor. It's a very unique taste.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/021116_superfoods_cacao.html#ixzz2OED8De6K

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6214481

Source: http://www.extremehealthusa.com/Products/47-raw-golden-berries.aspx

Food Uses

The Goldenberry is often eaten raw like many other small berries such as the blueberry or raspberry.  For transport and storage purposes, the Goldenberry is often dried and sold in a “dehydrated” format where it strongly resembles a raisin in texture and shape.  In this form it’s easily mixed into cereal, yogurt mixes, fruit salads, green salads, trail and nut mixes or on its own as a dried fruit snack.

The delicious yellow fruit grow inside paper-like husks that are easy to peel. They are great dipped in melted chocolate or made into pies and preserves. Larger than the common ground cherry. These 1 inch yellow fruits are just the right mixture of sweet and tart ... and they grow fairly carefree.

Golden berry, because of its sweet/tart flavor, has been used as an excellent substitute for apples in pies and crumbles.  In some cultures, such as India, Golden berries are commonly used to make jams, jellies, sauces, granola, energy bars, cakes, desserts and fruit tea. Golden berry are a welcome addition as provisions for a trip or taken as nutritional food high power (Power-Snack) for sports activities.

Source: http://www.nutriforce.com/blog/the-benefits-of-superfoods-the-goldenberry

To enjoy goldenberries in their simplest form, simply eat them straight out of the bag. Otherwise, try mixing the dried berries in trail mixes or salads. You can add some snazz and impress your guests by pairing goldenberries with culinary delicatessens like chocolate, wine, or cheese. Blend a handful in smoothies, make a goldenberry jam to spread on toast, or create a sweet or savory goldenberry sauce. Sautéed tofu with a goldenberry glaze and vanilla bean ice cream with goldenberry coulis are just a few recipes ideas to experiment with.

Source: http://www.fitsugar.com/Health-Benefits-Goldenberries-19238882

Recipes - Golden Berry


Source: http://navitasnaturals.com/recipes/category/9346/Goldenberry.html

Ingredients - Golden Berry - Rasbhari Cake:

Cape gooseberries - 3/4 cup Unsalted butter - 1/3 cup at room temperature Jaggery - 2 tbsp grated Sugar - 1/3 cup Wheat flour -1 cup Rava - 1/2 cup Baking powder - 1 tsp Egg -1 Vanilla essence - 2 tsp

Method:

1. Pre heat the oven to 350F/180C, lightly grease a 6" cake tin, sprinkle the grated jaggery over the greased base and keep aside.

2. Cream the butter and sugar together till smooth and creamy.Beat the egg well.

3. Gently cook the berries in a pan with water just about covering it, when it softens and the skins start separating, take off the flame. Put the berries in cold water and peel carefully. Puree the fruit.

3. Sift the flour with the baking powder; add the vanilla essence and the pureed berries to the butter cream mixture and then mix in the flour and rava. Fold in the beaten egg with a cutting motion and combine into a dropping consistency batter.

4. Pour into the prepared cake tin and bake at 180C/350F for about 20-25 minutes - check at 20 minutes to see whether a skewer poked in comes out clean.

Source: http://peppermill-miri.blogspot.com/2008/01/rasbhari-cake-cape-gooseberries-cake.html

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