The Golden Husky Sweet-Tart Fruit

The Golden Husky Sweet-Tart Fruit

This  little fruit, Goldenberry (Physalis peruviana), looks just like a  tomatillo (which is a tomato-like fruit covered by a husk, also in the  Solanaceae family), but tastes more like a sweet fruit! As they are also  rich in vitamin C (about 21% of the RDI) they have a tartness about  them as well.

The Goldenberry fruit is born under a husk-like calyx, which is easy to peel off before enjoying the fruit below.

Being  yellow-orange in color, they look and have the consistency of a little  tomato, but they have a sweet-tart fruity flavor and contain a good  content of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. As they also contain  high amounts of beta-carotene, vitamin K and calcium, they are also  considered superfoods.

Interestingly,  Goldenberries contain the well-studied withanolides (the main active  phytochemicals in the adaptogenic herb Ashwagandha).

Through  scientific investigation, Goldenberries have been observed to exert  antioxidant, antiarthritic, anticancer, antiproliferative and  anti-inflammatory activities, as well as neuroprotective and eye health  benefits.

A  recent study suggested the steroidal lactones withaperuvin E/C and  hydroxywithanolide E as promising compounds of interest for their  potential in inhibiting TNF-alpha enzyme in anti-inflammatory modeling.

In  a recent study, Goldenberries were observed to be able to reduce  biomarkers of oxidative stress and alter gut permeability in men without  changing the inflammation status or gut microbiota. The authors  postulated that Goldenberries may work to positively modulate redox  balance as a mechanism of action.

Other  plant parts (such as the leaf and calyx) have exhibited  anti-inflammatory, blood sugar lowering properties and to have a  soothing effect on the colon.

They  are available as both fresh fruits or dried, for uses such as trail  mixes or like dried raisin products—many of which will be labeled as  superfoods. My favorite is to eat them fresh, or dried and  chocolate-covered.


#ethnobotany #medicinalplants #superfood #goldenberry #peru
*This  content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not  intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice  or treatment from a personal physician.

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