Aguaymanto

very high in powerful antioxidants

What is Aguaymanto ?

Called Golden berries, Physalis, Inca berry or ground cherry, aguaymanto is a particular variety of physalis.

It is found in South America, especially in Peru, which gives it its name Physalis peruviana.

Aguaymanto is very low in calories, it abounds in micronutrients. It has powerful antioxidants, which allows it to be classified as a super food.

The physalis is very regularly used in pastry to decorate your cakes, or in jam to sweeten the preparations.

Origin of the aguaymanto

You may have already tasted this fruit of the physalis family in certain desserts in restaurants or in your fruit salads. This small round berry with a tangy taste is called Aguaymanto. Originally from South America, its consumption has gradually spread more widely. It is also an ideal companion as part of a balanced diet.

The Aguaymanto (physalis peruviana) also called Peruvian cockerel, berries of the Incas or physalis of Peru, is a herbaceous plant native to the hot and dry regions of the Andes Cordillera where it grows between 800 and 3,000 meters above sea level. The aguaymanto belongs to the botanical family of Solanaceae, like tomato or bell pepper. It is a variety of physalis. Beware! Not all varieties of physalis are edible. The physalis peruviana is the most nutritious.

The aguaymanto is cultivated since the Inca period, period during which the nobles used to grow it in their garden: it was one of their favorite plants. It produces berries of yellow-orange color, with a rounded shape (about 1.5 to 2 centimeters in diameter). Its berries have a rather pleasant acidic flavor in the mouth.
This exotic fruit is contained inside an inedible envelope that protects it and whose texture resembles that of paper. This envelope has earned it the poetic nickname of “love in a cage”.

Very powerful antioxidants

Rich in vitamin C
Super antioxidant
Strengthens the immune system
Slows down cellular aging
Rich in vitamin A and flavonoids such as lutein, beta-carotene and zeaxanthin.
Promote good eye health
Rich in carotenoids and polyphenols

Health benefits of Aguaymanto

Strengthens the immune system
Improves vision
Anti-aging effect
Cardiovascular protection
Rich in fiber for intestinal transit
Glucose management
Cholesterol reduction

powerful antioxidants

excellent source of vitamin C

Provitamin A (beta-carotene)

ORAC index of 1770

You want to know all about Superfood from Peru?

Aguaymanto is a powerful antioxidant of the superfood family.

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive information about Superfood of Peru and take advantage of our partners’ commercial opportunities.

Curious to know all about peruvian superfood?

Nutritional value of aguaymanto

Aguaymanto is very rich in minerals, protein and phosphorus, which are essential for the growth, development and proper functioning of various human organs.

Very low in calories, it contains a lot of micronutrients. It is a powerful antioxidant, making it a “super food“.

Aguaymanto is an excellent source of vitamin C and provitamin B complex (thiamin, niacin and vitamin B12).

The aguaymanto contains in short for 100 grams:

78 to 79% humidity
16 grams of carbohydrates
4 to 5 grams of fiber
43 mg vitamin C
8 mg of calcium
1 to 2 grams of carotenes
55 grams of phosphorus
1 to 2 grams of iron

It is a natural product, ideal for children, athletes and students. It is a high energy food.

Aguaymanto can be eaten fresh, alone or in a salad.

A very effective antioxidant

Very rich in antioxidants, the aguaymanto berries consumed daily can prevent certain degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, DLMA, or cancer.

Antioxidants are essential for health. In particular, they help fight against oxidative stress and slow down aging.

Their benefits are numerous:

They help prevent the development of cancers: several studies prove that antioxidants reduce the risk of developing certain cancers by more than 30%.
They help reduce cholesterol levels: Antioxidants prevent the oxidation of fats.
They prevent the development of cardiovascular diseases.
They delay skin aging: by acting against free radicals that attack skin cells, antioxidants improve the appearance of the skin, making it appear younger. They delay the appearance of signs of aging.
They protect the eyes: Antioxidants protect the eyes and vision. This is especially true for aguaymanto, which tones the optic nerve and helps prevent the appearance of cataracts.
They protect you from the effects of pollution: ozone and nitrogen dioxide present in the air of large cities generate oxidative stress and respiratory problems. Antioxidants fight against the oxidation of your cells.

Aguaymanto has an ORAC index of 1770 (method of measuring antioxidant capacity): that’s more than green tea. Thanks to these exceptional qualities, aguaymanto is one of the “super foods”. This term characterizes a food adapted to our nutritional needs.

Super foods are very rich in minerals, vitamins and essential nutrients. These nutrients are naturally present in the plant without addition or specific treatment.

Other benefits of Aguaymanto

The aguaymanto berry is a very effective antioxidant with many other virtues thanks to the vitamins it contains.

Provitamin A (also called beta-carotene) is a very effective vitamin to heal the skin, prevent vision disorders and strengthen the immune system.

Its phytonutrients also have detoxifying properties on the liver.

Aguaymanto berry also has diuretic properties. Rich in fiber (it contains more than the prune), it is the ideal health partner: it cleanses the kidneys and purifies the blood.

Consuming aguaymanto berries on a regular basis would also promote the elimination of waste and toxins while allowing you to revitalize yourself. It is thus a beneficial fruit during your mid-season cures in spring and fall.

In summary, the properties of aguaymanto bay are as follows:

It is useful for people suffering from diabetes.
It helps in the treatment of the prostate.
It reduces the cholesterol level.
It helps to heal wounds.
It has diuretic properties.
It is a natural tranquilizer.
It purifies the blood.
It fights several allergies.
It helps to reduce the symptoms of menopause.
It combats mental fatigue.
It soothes ear, nose and throat (ENT) disorders.
It relieves bronchial tubes.
It has digestive qualities.
It helps to prevent certain cancers such as stomach, colon, intestine.
It fights acne.

How to consume aguaymanto?

Consuming dehydrated aguaymanto berry

Aguaymanto Bay is often offered by organic stores and naturopaths in dehydrated form. It can then be consumed as a snack at any time of the day.

The dehydration technique is a very ancient process, used in the cultures of Egypt and ancient China, and which allows to preserve the nutritional richness of food. In the Inca culture from which the aguaymanto comes from, the fruits were already dehydrated in the sun, in order to preserve them and thus be able to consume them throughout the winter. The fruits are thus preserved and retain most of their nutritional properties.

Currently, the technique of dehydration has become fundamental in the Andes. It is an excellent alternative for farmers because it allows for simpler storage and limits the loss of product that would be due to its export. In this way, small producers can export their production more efficiently. It is therefore an eco-responsible process that contributes to the livelihood of small local producers.

The dehydrated fruit is a genuine source of energy. In addition, they retain an exquisite flavor.
It’s also a practical way to take them with you everywhere you go on trips or picnics. It is a very healthy and nutritionally rich snack.

Other ways of consuming them also exist: in jams, sauces, mueslis, energy bars, cakes, desserts and fruit teas. Know how to vary the pleasures.

How to use aguaymanto for health?

Dosage and mode of administration

Aguaymanto berries can be eaten daily like any other dried fruit. You can add them to your breakfast in your cereals and muesli.

They can also be used mixed in your red fruit smoothies.

Aguaymanto goes very well with cocoa and can be added to your hot chocolates. The dose of 2 tablespoons per day is recommended.

Once rehydrated in lukewarm water for about 6 hours, you can use pureed aguaymanto to sweeten your dairy products and energy creams.

You can also consume them in cure of one month, by taking 10 to 20 berries per day.

You can also use externally:

To treat ear infections: use the ripe fruit juice. Apply two drops in the ears every eight hours.
To prevent cataract: use the fruit juice as a drop.

Caution! This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The effects mentioned do not constitute a prescription and are based on observations made by shamanic and ayurvedic medicine in the Andes. Ask your doctor for advice.

Contraindications and side effects of aguaymanto

No side effects have been reported with aguaymanto. On the other hand be careful not to consume the green fruit, not yet ripe, because it would cause you a strong diarrhea.

Be careful! Although it is a variety of physalis, do not buy products called so because it is often a counterfeit produced in China.

Prefer authentic products from organic farming which is called aguaymanto or Peruvian golden berries. Also be careful with fruits resembling physalis that you can find in your pastry shops and gardens: some are not edible at all and will give you diarrhea.

This product is safe for children to eat. In case of doubt, ask your doctor’s advice.

Superfoods should be used as part of a varied and balanced diet to complement a healthy lifestyle. Take care not to exceed the indicated daily dose.