Gooseberry or entuntunu in Luganda is a tasty and helpful wild fruit for both children and adults. It is unfortunate that forests and bushes have been cleared, thus destroying such fruits.
The fruit has berries which look like a small, round yellowish tomato. The fruit is green while raw, turning to a smooth, glossy, golden yellow to orange when ripe. It contains vitamin B3, B1, B2, vitamin C, phosphorus, vitamin A, calcium and protein.
It is packed with antioxidants which treats dermatitis and asthma.
The roots of the fruit have hepto-renal that fight against fibrosis.
It contains iron, which is helpful to expectant mothers.
It has vitamin B3 (Niacin), which provides relief from arthritis pain.
The fruit contains 15.4mg of vitamin C, which is 17.11% of the daily recommended value and this can boost cognitive ability in young people.
Vitamin B1 contained in gooseberry helps in the transmission of messages towards the muscle and nerves hence, improving cardiovascular functions.
Gooseberry contains vitamin A, which plays a key role in the improvement of our eyesight.
Gooseberry prevents and protect people from diabetes mellitus.
The berries improve the immune system.
The time is now to start planting gooseberries in our compounds or backyard garden. This plant takes a few months to harvest. The fruits can be dried using solar energy and eaten as a snack.
