I ate raw amla on an empty stomach for a month and 4 amazing things happened

The Indian gooseberry is just the magic pill you need to boost your overall health. Here’s what eating it daily did for me
dull hair
Amla has multiple benefits, including great cleansing capacity for hair! Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Sonakshi Kohli Updated: 6 Jul 2020, 10:28 am IST
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Back in the day, when I’d visit my Nani’s house, she’d make me chew on raw amla whenever I’d stay the night at her place. And I complied without rebelling as a sign of respect—all this while second-guessing my own decision to spend time with her.

Fast forward two decades and here I am worshipping my Nani’s morning regime and regretting every moment of my childhood spent on second-guessing her wisdom. 

All this, because after struggling with acne and weight gain for the longest time, I finally decided to give the good-old amla a chance to show its magic on my body, when even the fanciest diets and workouts failed to do so. And it worked! 

Here are all the amazing changes I witnessed in my body when I started eating one amla every day on an empty stomach:

1. My digestion-related problems vanished
From constipation to bloating, I’d wake up with a new digestive problem every day, without really paying much attention to it. However, once I started the amla-eating journey, I started waking up with a flat stomach, no bloating. In fact, my bowel movements have never been better and constipation became a thing of the past.

benefits of sattu
Thank you amla for saving me from stomach woes. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

A study published in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention recognises the digestion-aiding powers of amla and explains that its rich fibre content helps regulate bowel movements. Additionally, amla stimulates the secretion of gastric and digestive juices, making it easier to digest the food we eat while ensuring that the nutrients in the food are absorbed by the body properly.

2. For the first time, I wasn’t plagued by the seasonal flu
Coincidentally, my amla-eating regime started right before the weather started getting hotter. Now, normally, I‘d have caught the flu by now. However, this season has been flu-free so far—all thanks to amla’s immunity-boosting power.

Basically, amla is a citrus fruit meaning that it is super-duper rich in vitamin C, which is a proven antioxidant and an immunity booster.

3. My stubborn acne started clearing up
The fact that amla aids digestion is also the reason why it keeps your gut healthy. Now, according to a study published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology, a healthy gut is linked to healthy skin. Moreover, vitamin C and antioxidants in amla naturally rid the body of acne-causing toxins and bacteria, thus giving you healthy, clearer skin.

dairy-free diet
All my dreams of an acne-free supple skin were slowly becoming a reality. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

This is exactly why within three weeks of consuming amla on an empty stomach every day, my acne started clearing up.

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4. The best part—even my weight dropped
I’d be lying if I say that I witnessed drastic weight loss. But you know, when you’ve been trying to drop a few sizes for quite some time and nothing seems to be working, even a small change can be quite a relief and a new ray of weight-loss motivation. In my case, it was the evident inch loss that sealed the deal.

And no, I wasn’t just assuming that amla had a role to play in it. Because it actually did. According to a study published in the Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, consuming amla juice, powder, and/or fruit can aid weight loss and fight obesity by boosting your metabolism and encouraging fat-burning activity in your body.

The final word…
I am someone with an immense love for all things citric and tangy. So chewing on amla wasn’t a difficult task for me. But if you feel you cannot do it, then try grinding it and consuming its juice (after diluting it with water). And get ready to witness the magic of the Indian gooseberry.

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About the Author

Twenty kilos down and struggling to maintain the weight loss by preaching healthy eating, while eating unhealthy every now and then. ...Read More

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