Ground cherry: Nutritious benefits and potential risks explained
The ground cherry is a distinctive plant, resembling small orange berries or miniature tomatoes tucked inside a delicate, papery husk. It offers a wide range of nutritional benefits that are worth exploring, although it isn't without its drawbacks.
5:02 PM EDT, October 16, 2024
Looking for vitamins? You'll find them in the ground cherry. Among the nutrients this fruit provides, vitamin A, important for eye health, and vitamin C, which supports the immune system and protects cells from oxidative stress, are particularly notable.
No shortage of vitamins here
Ground cherry also contains B vitamins (B1, B2, B3), which are essential for proper nervous system function and are involved in the body's metabolic processes. The fruit can also positively affect digestion.
Additionally, ground cherry enhances the diet with minerals such as iron, calcium, and phosphorus, as well as carotenoids like beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. These powerful antioxidants protect the body from free radicals, thus contributing to delaying the aging process.
Where to use the ground cherry?
Ground cherry has diverse culinary applications. It can be consumed raw in a variety of dishes such as salads, desserts, and smoothies, making it an exceptionally versatile fruit. With its unique sweet and sour taste, ground cherry introduces new culinary experiences to many recipes.
Ground cherry is also excellent for drying and cooking, offering culinary possibilities like soups, sauces, and cakes. It's often included in jams and marmalades. Furthermore, ground cherry can be used for decorative purposes.
Solanine - A natural compound that can harm
However, remember that ground cherry contains solanine, a natural chemical compound shared with potatoes and eggplants. As a glycoalkaloid, solanine is a defence mechanism developed by plants to fend off pests.
Solanine can be found in various parts of the ground cherry, especially in the leaves and unripe fruits. Consuming a large amount of raw ground cherry may lead to poisoning, with symptoms such as nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, and in extreme cases, coma.
For this reason, it's crucial to ensure that only ripe ground cherry fruits are consumed. If ripe fruits are unavailable, cooking them to reduce solanine levels is advisable.
Ground cherry can be a valuable addition to a healthy diet in small amounts. Its use should, however, be approached with caution.
