Groundcherries: Complete Vitamin Profile

Groundcherries ‐ Vitamin Information

Introduction

Groundcherries, also known as Husk Tomatoes or Ground Cherries, are small yellow-orange fruit that belong to the Physalis genus within the Solanaceae family. They have unique papery husks that form a spherical shape and protect each individual fruit. These exotic fruits originated in South America but are now grown all over the world due to their popularity. As with many other fruits and vegetables, groundcherries boast an impressive array of vitamins and minerals which provide numerous nutritional benefits and offer various ways to support healthy living. This paper seeks to explore these nutrients in more detail by examining the vitamins found inside of groundcherries.

Minerals Content

Groundcherries provide important minerals such as iron, magnesium, copper and manganese, just like any other vegetable. According to the USDA (2020), 100 grams of raw groundcherries contain approximately 0.8 milligrams of iron, 17 milligrams of magnesium, 15 milligrams of copper, and 130 micrograms of manganese. These minerals play an integral role in maintaining good overall health and can help keep bones, teeth, muscles, and the immune system strong and functioning correctly.

Vitamin A

Groundcherries are especially rich in vitamin A, which plays a key role in several bodily functions. Vitamin A helps maintain healthy vision and reduces the risk of developing certain eye diseases. It is also essential for proper brain development and growth during childhood and pregnancy, supporting different organs and soft tissues. Furthermore, it contains antioxidants which protect cells from damage and fights off free radical molecules that cause cellular aging. A serving of 100 gramss of raw groundcherries provides 513 International Units (IU) of vitamin A, according to nutritiondata.self.com (2019).

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is also present in significant amounts in groundcherries. It is a water soluble nutrient critical for wound healing, cartilage and tissue formation, and helping absorb iron. Additionally, it strengthens the body’s immune system by fighting off parasites, bacteria and viruses while protecting against inflammation. The recommended daily allowance of vitamin C is 75 mg per day for women and 90 mg per day for men. Fortunately, raw 100 grams of groundcherries contain nearly three times the amount of this necessary nutrient, providing 210mg.

B Complex Vitamins

Groundcherries are also high in B complex vitamins. These include thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), folate (vitamin B9), and cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12). Each vitamin supports essential bodily processes, including the nervous and cardiovascular systems, metabolic regulation, energy production, and metabolizing carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. All B Complex vitamins cannot be stored by the body and must be replenished through dietary sources; luckily, there are plenty of them inside groundcherries. One serving of the raw fruits contains 23% of the daily recommend intake of thiamine, 11% of riboflavin, 7% of niacin, 3% of folate, 6% of pantothenic acid, 8% of pyridoxine, and 7% of cobalamin.

Conclusion

It is clear that groundcherries offer an array of beneficial vitamins and minerals. The natural properties of these fruits make them great additions to anyone’s diet and better yet, they are incredibly simple to incorporate into one’s meals. Whether added on salads, jams, pies, or smoothies, groundcherries guarantee excellent flavor and outstanding source of micronutrients. By consuming adequate servings of this amazing fruit, the human body can receive all the necessary doses of vitamins and minerals needed to remain healthy, energized and fit.