Have you heard of Physalis fruits? Physalis Fruit or more popularly called as groundcherry, belongs to the Physalis genus. Its scientific name is Physalis Peruviana. It’s indigenous to South America, especially in Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Ecuador. Not many people know that this fruit is actually beneficial for our health. It is rich of polyphenolic antioxidants and dietary nutrients. Physalis have the texture of firm cherry tomato. Ripe Physalis tastes sweet with a slight hint of acidic aftertaste.
What is Physalis?
It has similar taste as strawberry and pineapple. Have you known about Health Benefits of Wild Strawberry? Physalis is perceived as exotic and rare fruit. Since it is only widely used as expensive cake decoration. It is exotic because the fruit is mostly covered by papery husk, the fruit itself is orange or red when it’s ripe. You may also read the List of African Fruits and Their Health Benefits
Physalis is mostly used as cake decoration or dried like raisins. Very few people know about Physalis fruit because it’s so rare, it’s not cultivated widely across the world. It grows well in subtropical climate. But on the other hand, the Chinese use Physalis as remedies for many diseases. Thus, this proves that Physalis has many health benefits. But before proceeding to the health benefits of Physalis, check the nutritional facts below:
Nutritional Facts
Serving: 140 g
- Calories: 74
- Protein: 2.66 g
- Carbohydrate: 15.68
- Total fat: 0.98
- Vitamin B3: 3.92 mg
- Vitamin C: 15.4 mg
- Phosporus: 5 mg
- Vitamin B1: 0.154 mg
- Vitamin A: 50 mg
- Iron: 1.4 mg
- Vitamin B2: 0.056 mg
- Vitamin B3: 2.8 mg
- Calcium: 13 mg
From the nutritional facts above, we know now that Pysalis has many nutrients that are beneficial for our health. So, what are those health benefits of Physalis? Check the list below:
- Maintain eye healh
The abundant of Vitamin A in Physalis means abundant of carotenoids. Carotenoids are good for maintaining eye health. Just like carrot, Physalis is highly recommended to be consumed for those of you who have problems with eye health.
Especially those who work constantly in front of the computer. The UV ray radiated from screen is actually very unhealthy for your eye. So, go eat Physalis to get maintain a good eye health.
- Healthy snack alternative
Physalis contains only 53 calories. This means, it is good to be put on your diet menu. Physalis can also be a good snacking alternatives. You can opt for these instead of munching unhealthy snacks that are sold in the supermarket. Because those snacks are high on calories, it would ruin your diet.
But with physalis you can munch all you want without being worried about gaining weight. But, don’t eat too much because it might be risky.
- Supports the DNA Repairing process
It is scientifically proven that Physalis contains a high amount of vitamin B complex. Vitamin B complex do work better as a team. And one of the works is repairing DNA cells. So, start consuming Physalis to achieve a healthier body.
- Diabetes Mellitus Remedy
According to a scientific study, Physalis is free from sodium and cholesterol. It also contains a low glycemic index score. Thus, it is great for individuals with diabetic mellitus as well as pre-diabetic. So, for those of you who suffer from Diabetes, you can start regularly consuming Physalis to help reducing the disease.
But, you also have to make sure that the regular foods that you consume are also diabetes-friendly. There are also Benefits of Bitter Gourd for Diabetes that you may want to check.
- Prevents degenerative diseases
The Vitamin A in Physalis is great to prevent degenerative diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, cystic fibrosis, and macular degeneration. These diseases are caused by radicals that atack our body. But the good news is, Vitamin A is a great anti-radical agent. So, it can fight the radicals pretty well and helps you prevent degenerative diseases.
- Boost the immune system
It is scientifically proven that Vitamin C could help boosting immune system, which is a great news. The uncertain weather is the enemy for our health. As we can catch many diseases like cold or flu very easily. But Physalis contains many Vitamin C that can help boosting immune system. So, we can prevent from catching cold pretty easily. You can also read the Health Benefits of Listening to Your Favorite Song.
- Influenza remedy
Using Physalis as an influenza remedy has long been practiced by the Chinese. But they use the whole plant, not only the fruits. So, first cut the plant to 3-4 cm. Then, dry and wrap it to help keeping the damp. The next step is to put it into a pan and boil it with 9-15 grams of water. Drink it 3 times a day and the influenza will be gone immediately.
- Maintain a healthy nervous system
It is proven that Physalis helps us maintaining a healthy nervous system. This is due to the high aount of B Vitamin complex in Physalis. A properly working nervous system is essential for our health , because nervous system includes brain as the motor of the system and we sure don’t want to have any problems with our brains.
Nervous system is also what makes the whole nerves in our body works. If one of the mgoes wrong, it could be fatal, even results in death. So, start consuming Physalis to maintain a properly working nervous system.
- Helps you get full faster
By consuming Physalis, your stomach will get the response that you are full already without consuming man foods. This is great news for you who want to lose weight. So, if you are obese/overweight, start consuming Physalis to help you lose weight faster than ever.
- Slow the spread of cancerous cells
Physalis contains a rare nutrient called withanolides. These compounds are unique and organic. Withanolides are great as anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory agent that can fight cancerous cells. It is also great to slow the spread of cancerous cells throughout the body.
So, it is highly recommended for cancer patients to start consuming Physalis as a great natural way to help slowing the spread of cancerous cells in the body. As chemotherapy is preoven to have many dangerous side effects.
- Anti-inflammatory agent
The antioxidants that can be found in Physalis are actually great anti-inflammatory agent. It could help reducing the inflammation in the body. Inflammation is the cause of many diseases including gout, arthritis, muscle aches, hemorrhoids, chronic pain, and many others.
The anti-inflammatory agents could help reduce these conditions and also improve the overall health. Because Physalis has the ability to reduce the inflammation in arteries and blood vessels. Other than that, it also could prevents the fevelopment of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.
- Reduce hypertension
As an anti-inflammatory afgent, Physalis is great to redue hypertension. By reducing the inflammatory in blood vessels. So, for those of you who are struggling with hypertension, you can start consuming Physalis to reduce the hypertension.
- Keeps pregnant moms healthy
One of the essential things to keep pregnant moms healthy is iron. Physalis is rich of Iron. Thus, Physalis could keeps pregnant mom healthy. The daily need of Iron of pregnant moms is about 27 mg. If you are pregnant, you can start consuming about a cup of Physalis to fulfill the daily value need of iron. Other than Physalis, there are also Health Benefits of Chocolate During Pregnancy
The list above shows the many health benefits of Physalis. There are many ways to enjoy Physalis, one of them is by eating it as a salsa. Below is the easy recipe on how to make Physalis Salsa. This salsa is great to be consumed as a side dish of grilled seafood. But you can also it eat by itself.
Recipe of Physalis
Ingredients:
- 250 grams of Physalis
- ¼ cup of red onion
- 1 tablespoon of jalapeno
- 1 lime
- 2 tablespoon of cilantro
- Kosher salt
- ¼ cup of olive oil
- Ground Black pepper
Step by step:
- Husk and wash physalis
- Sliced in half
- Put it into a bowl
- Shave the red onion
- Mince the jalapeno, or you can also use pepper or chili if you can’t find jalapeno
- Juice the lime and put it into a glass
- Chop the cilantro
- Make sure that all the ingredients are washed
- Put all the ingredients into a bowl
- Mix it all together
- Let it sit for about an hour
- It is ready to serve
Caution of Physalis
Make sure that the Physalis that you’re going to eat is ripe. Because unripe Physalis can be poisonous. And if you experience allergies effect after consuming Physalis, please do consult with your doctor. Because Physalis might have allergens.