Emblica Officinalis, or Phyllanthus Emblica, is called Amla in India and Amalaki in the Sanskrit languages. It is often used as an ayurvedic medicine due to its powerful antioxidant properties.
This Indian gooseberry is known to be a natural immune booster. The juice of Amla is effective in white blood cells, the main component of defense.
An open study suggests that taking an extract of Amla (Emblica Officinalis), rich in beta-glucogallin, in dyslipidemic diabetics would help control blood sugar and lower lipids.
What is gooseberry (Amla)?
Amla as a gooseberry, is known by two scientific names: Emblica Officinalis and Phyllanthus Emblica. It is also commonly called Amla.
Yellow-green in color, it grows into a round fruit that is edible with the same color. It is commonly called Amla. The fruit is the size of a golf ball, with a core and thin skin.
They have a bitter, sour, and stringent taste. The fruit is used in cooking in India, and most food supplements marketed today are made only from dried fruit or powdered fruit extracts.
Amla juice’s effects on diabetics
Type 2 diabetes associated with dyslipidemia, is one of the essential risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
In diabetics, dyslipidemia is often characterized by elevated triglycerides, excess small VLDL, remnant lipoproteins, postprandial hyperlipidemia, and low HDL cholesterol. These features are more atherogenic than classic dyslipidemia.
This gooseberry contains chromium, this compound has diabetic therapeutic effects. It stimulates the production of insulin-producing cells, which lowers blood sugar levels in diabetics.
According to a study that was published in 2011 on the effect of Amla juice on blood sugar levels, mostly in diabetics, revealed that Amla juice has hypoglycemic properties. This study was published by the International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition.
The interest of Amla
Amla ( Emblica Officinalis), in traditional medicine, is considered to have powerful regenerative and immunomodulatory properties. Amla juice contains numerous active ingredients including polyphenols such as tannins, gallic and Ellagic acids, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.
Polyphenols, mostly tannins and flavonoids, play a key role in its beneficial properties. In particular, contains gallotanines or gallotannins , hydrolyzable tannins, of which the most representative is beta-glucogallin.
The effect of an Amla juice rich in beta-glucogallin
One study compared the effect of Amla juice in beta-glucogallin to that of metformin in one hundred and twenty-six people with a recent diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia.
For 90 days, they took one or two g of Amla extract or 500 mg of metformin daily.
Both doses of Amla juice and metformin effectively lowered blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin. The 2 g dose was clearly more effective than metformin.
The reduction in LDL cholesterol and triglycerides was significantly greater with 2 Amla than with 1 g and comparable to the effects obtained with metformin.
How to use Amla?
The fruit of the Indian gooseberry can be eaten raw, although it is very sour and does not appeal to most people.
In India, they are often marinated or candied in simple syrup. Other regions in India use Amla in traditional lentil dishes and dal.
Indian gooseberry dietary supplements are mainly marketed and sold in the form of amla fruit powder or powder-filled capsules.
Most supplements contain between 500 and 1,000 mg of Indian gooseberry powder per serving. Additionally, due to their high vitamin C content, Amla fruit powders are advertised for hair and skin care products.
It is also possible to buy Amla fruit oil specifically designed for skin and hair. Due to the lack of evidence regarding safe and effective dosing, do not exceed the recommended daily dose on the supplement label.
Potential disadvantages of Amla juice
It can be difficult to source fresh Indian gross berries unless you live near a specialty Indian or Asian market. However, you can buy dried berries online.
Additionally, taking this herb in supplement form may have side effects. Due to its anti-platelet properties, Amla can thin the blood and prevent normal blood clotting.
If you have a bleeding disorder or are taking a blood thinner, you should consult your doctor before eating Amla. Let alone drink it as tea or take it as a supplement. You should also stop taking Amla before surgery due to the risk of bleeding.
There is available evidence that it can lower blood sugar levels. If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes or other problems managing your blood sugar levels, you should consider this.
Given the lack of evidence regarding its safety, you should otherwise avoid Amla if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive.
potential benefits of Amla
Amla has several potential benefits, although high-quality studies in humans are needed to confirm many of these possible effects.
Helps fight heartburn
A high-quality, four-week study involving 68 people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Researchers observed that the frequency and severity of heartburn and vomiting were reduced more in the group that took Amla tablets than in the group that took a placebo.
This study is promising; more research is needed to fully understand the effect of Amla supplements on heartburn and GERD.
Anti-aging: It protects the body against aging due to its high vitamin C content and may have promising anti-aging effects. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can help prevent cell damage, which can help slow the body’s natural aging process.
Conclusion
Amla is often used to fight diabetes and, more specifically, high blood sugar levels. This fruit acts as an antidiabetic, thanks to the effects of its components and active ingredients.
As a cholesterol-lowering agent, the fruit helps prevent cases of atherosclerosis, which is a complication of the disease
On the other hand, in addition to supporting people with diabetes, Amla also demonstrates hypocholesterolemic and hypertriglyceridemic virtues.
In other words, this fruit helps reduce cholesterol levels and blood triglyceride levels. It also fights against the elevation of transaminase.
In terms of heart health, Amla is positioned as a cardioprotector. It is beneficial for the heart and cardiovascular health of people who consume it.
References
- Akhtar M. S., Ramzan A., Ali A., Ahmad M. (2011). Effect of Amla fruit (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) on blood glucose and lipid profile of normal subjects and type 2 diabetic patients. Int. J. Food Sci. Nutr. 62 (6), 609–616. 10.3109/09637486.2011.560565
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/09637486.2011.560565 - Antony B., Benny M., Kaimal T. N. B. (2008a). A Pilot clinical study to evaluate the effect of Emblica officinalis extract (Amlamax™) on markers of systemic inflammation and dyslipidemia. Indian J. Clin. Biochem. 23 (4), 378–381. 10.1007/s12291-008-0083-6
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23105791/
