Is Amla Hot or Cold?
Amla, the Indian gooseberry fruit, has been source of Vitamin-C in India for thousands of years. Rich in multiple essential antioxidants, Amla has secured a distinguished position in Ayurveda, the ancient medicine in India. The most popular as well as the tastiest way to consume this fruit is the Amla candy. It can be considered a healthy snack with a taste. But in general, comes a question: Is Amla hot in nature or cold and does it have any difference when it is taken as Amla candy?
The Ayurvedic Perspective: Amla's Nature
Based on their inherent properties, Ayurveda classifies all foods into heating or cooling characteristics called "Virya." Amla is a cooling fruit. It is also a popular herb for balancing all doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha; it particularly has a good pacifying tendency for Pitta, which controls heat and metabolism in the body. The cooling property of Amla naturally provides anti-inflammatory and overheating-body effects. Documentation of the use of Amla in Ayurvedic remedies to soothe the internal heat is very vast.
Nutritional Benefits of Amla
Amla is simply full of nutrients, with Vitamin C and antioxidants, thus adding much strength to the immune system, better digestion, healthier skin, and even healthier hair and growth. One good thing about Amla- it has a cooling effect on the body, hence ideal for acidity-sensitive people, or those with inflammation, or excessive body heat.
Most of these nutritional advantages remain intact when such fruits are used to make Amla candy. The candy presents a tasty and easy way to add this nutrient-rich fruit to the diet, at least for the individuals who cannot take raw Amla directly because it is too sour.
What Is Amla Candy?
Amla candy is a traditional Indian Sun-dried Amla which is prepared by drying and sweetening Amla. The Amla candy has just ideal mixutre of tanginess and sweetness. Thus, it is the favorite confection not only among children but also adults. Of course, it is quite tasty and provides the health benefits offered by Amla in a more palatable form.
Over the years, Amla candy has been most in demand for combining the best of both worlds: flavor and health. It is a snack whose consumption time is not limited to a specific time of the day, hence providing a healthy alternative to the otherwise regular sugary treats.
Is Amla Candy Hot or Cold?
Although raw Amla is cooling in nature, can the same thing be said of the candy made out of Amla? The making of candy generally requires the addition of sugar and sometimes spices, which otherwise will modify the original cooling properties of the fruit it came from. However, the core cooling properties of the fruit itself are retained even in Amla candies. Although the sugar may introduce a very mild heating effect, Amla candy remains more cooling than heating and therefore is not too bad as a treat when the sun is scorching.
Of course, Amla candy must be consumed judiciously, especially among those who are very sensitive to sugar. Nonetheless, its cooling property still controls the Pitta dosha and prevents over-harvested heat within the body.
Health Benefits of Amla Candy
Some of the health benefits of consumption of Amla candy are as follows:
- Boosts Immunity: Due to its high Vitamin C content, Amla candy helps build up the immunity system. Amla candy helps to digest and reduces acidity. This is even more helpful after food.
- Improves Skin and Hair: Amla candy enhances skin quality, and also enhances healthy hair growth.
- Provides Energy: The natural sugars in this candy provide instant energy without the side effects of processed candies.
When and How to Enjoy Amla Candy
It can be devoured at any moment anywhere. Its coolant effect makes it suitable for oral consumption either after a meal, as a mid-day refreshment, or while travelling. Amla candy is very effective at times when the inner heat of a person grows more by summer. It can act as a good digestive supplement post meals and can also be used with herbal teas or other Ayurvedic practices to enhance their effects.
Conclusion
The raw form of Amla is a cooling fruit, used to balance internal heat; thus, its candy retains all of the properties it will generally lose with the addition of sugar, offering a delightful blend of flavor and health. Whether for its cooling nature, its immunity-boosting qualities, or to aid in digestion, Amla candy is a tasty healthy snack that can be savored throughout the year and hence is one gem in both traditional as well as modern diets.