The numerous virtues of a single Amalaki!

 The numerous virtues of a single Amalaki!

Eating Amalaki daily is an excellent habit for maintaining good health. However, since Amalaki is no longer a year-round fruit, you can't enjoy this habit throughout the entire year. But don’t miss out on the opportunity to benefit from its nutrients during its season. Amalaki is packed with essential nutrients that are vital for a healthy body.

One of the key nutrients is vitamin C, which plays a crucial role in boosting the body's immunity. While some might hesitate to consume Amalaki due to its bitter taste, you don’t need to eat much to reap the benefits. Just one Amalaki a day is enough to contribute to your overall well-being. The fruit offers so many virtues in such a small quantity!

But what exactly makes Amalaki a superfood? To answer this, I turned to Shampa Sharmin Khan, an associate professor in the Food and Nutrition Science Department at the Government College of Applied Human Sciences, Azimpur. She shared valuable insights on the nutritional benefits of Amalaki.

What’s Inside Amalaki?
One Amalaki contains around 463 to 465 milligrams of ascorbic acid, which is essentially vitamin C. This is a significant amount of vitamin C, equivalent to what you'd get from eating four oranges or two large guavas. But do we really need so much vitamin C daily? According to nutritionists, an adult only needs 45 to 50 milligrams per day, while children require about 25 to 35 milligrams. Fortunately, consuming more vitamin C than this isn’t harmful, as the body doesn’t store excess amounts of this vitamin, so there's no risk of toxicity.

Why is Vitamin C Necessary?

Consuming adequate vitamin C daily is essential for maintaining the body's immunity. Vitamin C also plays a key role in wound healing, reducing hair loss, improving skin health, and enhancing the flavor of food.

So, What is Amalaki as a Superfood?

For a food to be classified as a superfood, it must possess specific qualities, such as supporting body repair, preventing diseases, producing body heat, or providing energy. While Amalaki is exceptional in terms of its disease-fighting properties, it doesn't meet all the criteria for a superfood, as it lacks other essential benefits. Therefore, Amalaki, while highly nutritious, cannot be considered a true superfood.

Although not a superfood, Amalaki is undoubtedly a valuable food. Eat at least one Amalaki every day, even though it has a bitter taste. This fruit is also budget-friendly and can be stored in the fridge, where it retains its nutritional value. Some people make Amalaki pickle to enjoy or preserve it for longer periods, but this process can diminish its nutritional quality because heat destroys vitamin C. Therefore, while pickling may be enjoyable, it won’t provide the same health benefits.