SUPERFOOD IN YOUR BACKYARD..? Amla's benefits gaining wide recognition

Superfoods are all the rage these days—from trendy kale and quinoa to strawberries, blueberries, avocado, and guava. Essentially, superfoods are nutrient-dense foods that either contain a high concentration of a rare nutrient or are a rich source of several essential nutrients. But India has its own superfoods that deserve just as much attention. Makhana, for instance, recently gained the spotlight after Prime Minister Narendra Modi championed it as a “superfood” and announced a dedicated Makhana Board to boost production and exports.

Yet, there’s another homegrown underdog—the humble amla (Indian gooseberry)—that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Amla is packed with Vitamin C, B-complex, and carotene, along with essential minerals like calcium, iron, phosphorus, and sodium. It has long been revered in Ayurveda and Unani medicine, but its biggest draw isn’t just tradition—it’s the science-backed benefits for hair, skin, and overall health. It works wonders for increasing skin elasticity and reducing visible signs of aging. Its antioxidant-rich juice helps combat premature aging, pigmentation, and dark spots.

The best part? Amla is widely available in fresh, dried, and powdered forms, making it incredibly easy to incorporate into your daily meals:

• Blend the powder into smoothies or mix it into green chutney.
• Sprinkle it over soups and smoothie bowls for a nutritional boost.
• Make a fresh chutney with raw amla, coconut, and microgreens.
• Have it as a raita with curd and some chat masala.
• Enjoy it raw with a pinch of Himalayan pink salt for a tangy, bittersweet treat.

With its impressive health benefits and easy adaptability, amla is a nutritional powerhouse hiding in plain sight. It is time to make this Indian superfood a staple in your diet!