Physalis – Nutritional Value, Health Benefits

Physalis is actually a herbaceous or soft-wooded, perennial somewhat vining plant sized 2 to 3 ft. (1.6-0.9 m) in height but occasionally may attain 6 ft. (1.8) m. It is a smooth berry that looks like a small, round yellowish tomato. It is a sub-globose berry, 1.25–2 cm diameter, each enclosed in a bladder-like husk which will become papery on maturity. It is green while young turning to a smooth, glossy, golden –yellow to orange when ripe with many tiny (2 mm diameter) yellowish, flat seeds surrounded in the juicy palatable pulp.

Physalis scientifically known as Physalis peruviana is actually a tasty and helpful fruit. Phyllis is also known by different names such as  Aztec Berry, Barbados Gooseberry, bladderberry, Cape Gooseberry, Cherry Tomato Goldenberry, Gooseberry-Tomato, goldenberry, Husk Cherry, Inca Berry, obra cabbage, Peruvian Cherry, Peruvian Ground Cherry, Poha, Poha Berry, Strawberry Tomato, Winter Cherry. It is closely associated with the tomatillo as well as the Chinese lantern, also members of the genus Physalis. As it is a member of the plant family Solanaceae, it is more related to a huge number of edible plants, like potato, tomato, eggplant as well as other members of the nightshades. Small, round Physalis is in fact a stockroom of several health-promoting nutrients, minerals, and vitamins. Some well-known varieties of Physalis include Giallo Grosso, Giant, Giant Poha Berry, Golden Berry, Golden Berry, Long Aston, Edulis, and many more.

Plant

Physalis is actually a soft-wooded, perennial somewhat vining plant sized two to three ft. (1.6-0.9 m) tall but occasionally may reach 6 ft. (1.8) m. It is found growing in a sunny, frost-free location, sheltered from strong winds. It prefers well-drained soil but does best on sandy to gravelly loam. Good crops can also be obtained on somewhat poor sandy ground. Physalis have ribbed, normally purplish, spreading branches covered with fine hairs. Leaves are nearly opposite, heart-shaped, velvety,  randomly-toothed, pointed, leaves 2 3/8 to 6 in (6-15 cm) long and 1 1/2 to 4 in (4-10 cm) wide. Flowers are bell-shaped, flowers form in the leaf axils. It is yellow colored along with dark purple-brown spots within the throat, and cupped by purplish-green, hairy calyx, and are found blooming from June to August.

Fruits

Physalis bears a smooth berry that looks like a small, round yellowish tomato. It is a sub-globose berry, 1.25–2 cm diameter, each enclosed within a bladder-like husk that will become papery on maturation. The fruit is green while young turning to a smooth, glossy, golden–yellow to orange when ripe with many tiny (2 mm diameter) yellowish, flat seeds surrounded in the juicy palatable pulp. It has a mildly tart flavor and is sweet with a pleasing grape-like tang taste making it ideal for snacks, pies, or jams.

History

Physalis (Cape gooseberry) is native to South America in the high altitude tropical Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile where the fruits are found growing wild. It is later grown in Central and South America, India, tropical Africa, Australia, SE Asia, also in certain parts of East Asia and Europe, and also has grown naturally in many of these areas.

Nutritional Value

Apart from their taste, Physalis is a good source of nutrients, minerals, vitamins. Consuming  140 grams of this fruit supplies, 3.92 mg of Vitamin B3, 1.4 mg of Iron, 15.4 mg of Vitamin C, 0.154 mg of Vitamin B1, 15.68 g of Carbohydrate, 56 mg of Phosphorus, 50 µg of Vitamin A, 2.66 g of protein and 0.056 mg of Vitamin B2, 0.98 g of Total Fat and 13 mg of Calcium.

Nutritional value of Physalis

Minerals	Amount	% DV
Iron, Fe	1.4 mg	17.50%
Phosphorus, P	56 mg	8.00%
Calcium, Ca	13 mg	1.30%

Vitamins	Amount	% DV
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)	3.92 mg	24.50%
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)	15.4 mg	17.11%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)	0.154 mg	12.83%
Vitamin A	50 µg	7.14%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)	0.056 mg	4.31%

Health benefits of Physalis

1. Antioxidant benefits

Physalis is widely used for dealing with hepatitis, malaria, rheumatism, cancer, dermatitis, and asthma. In this study, the hot water extract and extracts prepared from different concentrations of ethanol from the whole plant were evaluated for antioxidant activities. The research concludes that ethanol extracts of Physalis consist of good antioxidant activities, and the highest antioxidant properties were obtained.(1)

2. Protecting liver and kidney against fibrosis

Research conducted on Physalis root along with hepato-renal protecting effects against fibrosis. The chemical composition of the plant root suggested the presence of alkaloids, withanolides, and flavonoids. The results suggested safe administration and improvement of fibrosis disease. Research result concludes that the Physalis succeeded in protecting the liver and kidney against fibrosis.(2)

3. Healthy Pregnancy

Iron can be found in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods i.e. heme or non-heme iron. Legumes, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, and dry fruits have good iron content which is extremely essential for pregnant women. A pregnant woman requires around 27 mg of iron daily. Iron contained in Physalis can provide you a supportable boost of iron all through your day. Daily consumption of physalis satisfies the daily necessity of Iron and exerts an overall protective effect on the body.

4. Relief of Arthritis Pain

Since niacin plays a role in increasing blood flow to particular parts, it may also help relieve arthritis pain by boosting blood flow towards painful areas. It helps improve joint flexibility and decrease pain. Consume niacin-rich foods for this effect, but do not take higher dosages of the vitamin unless suggested by your doctor. Physalis is the best source of Vitamin B3 (Niacin). So including physalis in your regular diet will certainly help you get relief from Arthritis Pain. A single cup serving of Physalis (140 g) has 24.50% of the daily required intake.

5. Cognitive Ability

There are various antioxidant effects of Physalis, some of which are derived from the huge amount of vitamin C, also help to eliminate plaque build-up in the cognitive pathways, often caused by free radicals and oxidative stress. Physalis has been related to avoiding certain cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Physalis contains 15.4 mg vitamin C which is 17.11% of the daily recommended value. It can also boost cognitive ability in younger folks, increasing memory, focus, and concentration skills.

6. Cardiovascular functions

Physalis is loaded with Vitamin B1 (Thiamin). This vitamin is liable for the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that transmits messages to the muscles and nerves. An insufficiency of vitamin B1 results in a decrease in the neurotransmitter and causes irregular heartbeat. Severe deficiency may cause congestive heart failure.

7. Improves Eyesight

Better eyesight plays an important role in our life. Better eyesight is possible if we consume Vitamin A-rich foods like Physalis, carrots on a regular basis. Deficiency of vitamin A may result in trouble seeing in dim light. Since Physalis is rich in vitamin A, it is good for improving eyesight and avoiding conditions like night blindness from developing as we grow old.

How to Eat

• Fruit Salads: Fruits can be consumed raw in fruit cocktails, fruit salads, in cooked dishes, or even canned whole in syrup or processed into jams.
• Puddings, pies: The fruit is perfect for snacks as well as for making puddings, pies, sauces, jams, jellies, ice cream, preserves, chutneys, and glazes for meat and seafood.
• Dessert: Fruits are stewed along with honey and consumed as dessert in Colombia.
• Rasin: The fruit can also dry into tasty “raisins“.
• British use the husk as a handle for dipping the fruit in icing.
• Fruits are also an attractive sweet whenever dipped in chocolate or other coatings or pricked and rolled in sugar.

Other Traditional uses and benefits of Physalis

• It is used in folk medicine as antipyretic, anticancer, antipyretic, anti-mycobacterial, immune-modulatory and anti-inflammatory and diuretic, also for handling diseases like dermatitis, malaria, rheumatism asthma, leukemia, and hepatitis.
• Physalis is a common medicinal herb used by Muthuvan tribes living in the Shola forest regions against jaundice in Kerala, India.
• Leaf decoction is taken as a diuretic and antiasthmatic in Colombia.
• Heated leaves are usually applied as poultices on inflammations in South Africa.
• To relieve abdominal disorders in children, Zulus administer the leaf infusion as an enema.

Other Facts

• Physalis is used as a decorative plant.

Precautions:

• The unripe fruit is supposed to be poisonous to some people.
• The plant is assumed to have caused illness as well as death in cattle in Australia.

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References

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